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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.

Lovell, Mansfield (1822-1884) to Major General Lewis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02410.01 Author/Creator: Lovell, Mansfield (1822-1884) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 December 1861 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.5 x 13.1 cm. Order a Copy

General Lovell, in charge of Confederate defenses at New Orleans, writes to General Lewis (possibly John Lawson Lewis, of the Louisiana militia). Reports that he has placed two heavy guns in Lafayette Square, and hopes to place two more in the battery near the mint "for the purpose of instructing the volunteers in the heavy gun drill." Wants to coordinate plans with Lewis. Written on Confederate States of America, Head Quarters, Dept. 1 stationery.

John Lawson Lewis was a member of the State Senate and Sheriff of the Parish of Orleans. In 1854 he was elected Mayor of New Orleans. For many years, Lewis had been a member of the State Militia, becoming a Major General in command of the First Division of Louisiana Militia, a position he held throughout the War. (Information from the site, The 18th Louisiana Infantry Regiment: A Brief History and Roster).

Lovell, Mansfield, 1822-1884
Lewis, John Lawson, 1800-1886

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