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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.

Evans, Nathan George (1824-1868) to Thomas Jordan

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02459.07 Author/Creator: Evans, Nathan George (1824-1868) Place Written: Leesburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 October 1861 Pagination: 1 p. ;docket; 19.7 x 13 cm. Order a Copy

Possibly written in Virginia. Two days before the Battle of Ball's Bluff, Confederate General Evans informs Colonel Jordan that "the Enemy have appeared in the Turnpike between Dranesville and this place, in considerable force." Reports that he is making preparations to meet the Union force, and requests reinforcements. In a post script, states that Union soldiers "appeared about 3 P.M. today within 10 miles of this place- when they ran my picketts in." Docketed by General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard (in pencil), commanding troops in Northern Virginia.

Jordan served as Assistant Quarter Master at Manassas Junction under Beauregard's command. Evans's forces were victorious at the 21 October 1861 Battle of Ball's Bluff.

Evans, Nathan George, 1824-1868
Jordan, Thomas, 1819-1895
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant, 1818-1893

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