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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.

McFaddin, William M. (fl. 1862-1863) [Collection of William McFaddin, 42nd regiment, Mississippi, cavalry] [Decimalized .01- .06]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03135.08 Author/Creator: McFaddin, William M. (fl. 1862-1863) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1862-1863 Pagination: 6 items Order a Copy

Collection of six letters by a soldier in the 42nd Mississippi Volunteers. A letter from 7 April 1863 describes a skirmish and includes an additional note from 8 April, which appears to be addressed to a slave: "I have been a good master to you... stay close to home with your mistress.... Your Master." His final letter of 12 April 1863 says he will desert if he can't get home.

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