Our Collection

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.

Longstreet, James (1821-1904) to Joseph Wheeler

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02603 Author/Creator: Longstreet, James (1821-1904) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 November 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 20 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy

Confederate General Longstreet informs General Wheeler "Your dispatch for Col Sorrel is received- I desire you to cross Little River in pursuit if you have a decided success at Marysville, or if you see the probabilities of ours by crossing. If the enemy is retreating pursue of course with the greatest vigor. If it is evident to your mind that you can assist us as much where you are as you could here, pursue, or push them- unless you can produce some consternation amongst them however it would be better to be with us." Written in pencil.

General Gilbert Moxley Sorrel served as Longstreet's Chief of Staff. On 15 November 1863, Wheeler's cavalry crossed the Tennessee River to join Longstreet's infantry during his Knoxville Campaign, which lasted through December 1863.

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904
Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906
Sorrel, G. Moxley (Gilbert Moxley), 1838-1901

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