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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.

Mackall, William Whann (1818-1891) to Henry Jackson Hunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.112 Author/Creator: Mackall, William Whann (1818-1891) Place Written: Langley, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 February 1884 Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.7 x 12 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses contacting acquaintances in the House and Senate to advocate Hunt's bill (possibly a bill regarding military retirement pay). Promises to attempt to persuade Governor Brown to support the bill (Joseph Brown, a Senator from Georgia who had served as Georgia's Governor 1855-1865). Discusses mutual acquaintances, and notes that his wife and daughter have reduced him to three cigars per day. For related letters, refer to GLC2382.120 and .121. Confederate General Mackall served as chief-of-staff under Generals Braxton Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston, among other Confederate posts.

Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts, including that Governor of the Soldiers Home in Washington D.C., from 1883 until his death. General Mackall served as chief-of-staff under Generals Braxton Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston, among other Confederate posts.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Mackall, William Whann, 1817-1891
Brown, Joseph Emerson, 1821-1894

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