Our Collection

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.

Porter, Fitz-John (1822-1901) to Henry Jackson Hunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.074 Author/Creator: Porter, Fitz-John (1822-1901) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 March 1871 Pagination: 9 p. ; 20.4 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

Porter replies to a letter from Hunt. Mentions McClellan, and initials on verso of page one. Recalls his experience in the Mexican American War for Hunt, who was writing on the topic. Suggests Hunt attempt to publish his writings in a magazine. Recalls a battle (possibly the 19 August 1847 Battle of Contreras). Mentions Cadwalader (possibly George Cadwalader), Percifer F. Smith, Pierce (possibly Franklin Pierce), Robert E. Lee, Zealous Bates Tower, and Colonel Riley.

Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. In the early 1870s, Hunt was commander of Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island.

Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901
Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
McClellan, George B., 1826-1885
Cadwalader, George, 1806-1879
Smith, Percifer F., fl. 1847
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

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