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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Richardson, Hollon (1835-1916) to Gouverneur K. Warren

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02297.04 Author/Creator: Richardson, Hollon (1835-1916) Place Written: Virginia Type: Letter Date: 18 February 1865 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32.1 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Contains two letters, both copied by James Preston. Page one contains a copy of a letter from Richardson to General Warren dated 18 February 1865. Original created near Petersburg, Virginia. Discusses attacking Petersburg: "I am satisfied in my own mind... that the works of the Enemy in front of Petersburgh, or at almost any point in the line, can be carried by assault... " Refers to the Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, assuming that an assault on Petersburg should have the same success. Thinks two corps will be sufficient for the assault. The second page contains Warren's reply to Richardson, dated 2 March 1865. Warren suggests creating a guard of one thousand men stationed at the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. Suggests the guard include "those who have specially distinguished themselves in battle, to be selected with great care, by the Commanding Officers of the respective regiments" Warren hopes to organize the assault force secretly. All of Preston's notes are written in red. At the bottom of the second letter, Preston indicates these letters were copied 20 March 1869. States that he was directed 5 March 1865 by Warren to drill his regiment to be part of an assault column.

Warren, Gouverneur K. (Gouverneur Kemble), 1830-1882
Richardson, Hollon, 1835-1916

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