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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.

Corbin, Henry Clark (1842-1909) [Form letter sent to United States Representatives requesting support of a bill regarding Henry Jackson Hunt's retirement]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.124 Author/Creator: Corbin, Henry Clark (1842-1909) Place Written: Chicago, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 January 1884 Pagination: 3 p. ; 23 x 15.1 cm. Order a Copy

Corbin relates "A Bill to give Brevet Major General Hunt, Colonel retired, the rank of Major General on the retired list is pending in the House of Representatives, of his long, faithful and distinguished service I will not speak... I in brief want to invite your attention to the bill and at the same time beg that you will give the measure your hearty support when it comes before the House... " Written on Headquarters Division of the Missouri stationery. A note cross-written at the top of page one indicates that Corbin sent this form letter to eighteen United States Representatives whose names are included on pages two and three. Among others, Corbin sent this letter to Courtland Cushing Matson, Stanton Judkins Peelle, George Washington Steele, and William McKinley (United States President 1897-1901).

Hunt, who had been Chief of the Artillery for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War, served as Governor of the Soldiers Home in Washington, D.C. from 1883 until his death. Corbin served in the Civil and Spanish American Wars.

Corbin, Henry Clark, 1842-1909
Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Matson, Courtland Cushing, 1841-1915
Peelle, Stanton Judkins, 1843-1928
Steele, George Washington, 1839-1922

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