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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.

Ripley, R. S. (Roswell Sabine) (1823-1887) to Edward Manigault

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02457.16 Author/Creator: Ripley, R. S. (Roswell Sabine) (1823-1887) Place Written: Fort Moultrie, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 February 1861 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Confederate Lieutenant Colonel Roswell S. Ripley writes from Headquarters at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, to Colonel Edward Manigault of the Ordnance Department. Reports "the steamer came down this morning for the 32 pounders & the sling cart, without any supplies of shot, shell, or munitions for this post -. I can hardly believe such to have been your intention..." Relates that he directed two sling cart wheels in care of Lieutenant [Yates?] to Charleston, South Carolina. Requests another sling cart, stating "One sling cart is altogether too small a supply for works extending around this harbor & I require one especially for this post..." Reports that the wharf at his port is unsafe.

In April 1861, Ripley’s artillery at Fort Moultrie bombarded Fort Sumter in what is considered the first battle of the Civil War.

Ripley, R. S. (Roswell Sabine), 1823-1887
Manigault, Edward, 1817-1874

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