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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.

Farragut, David Glasgow (1801-1870) General Order No. 12

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03310 Author/Creator: Farragut, David Glasgow (1801-1870) Place Written: Mobile, Alabama Type: Broadside Date: 6 August 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 20.2 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy

Written aboard the USS Hartford. Rear Admiral Farragut, as commander of the Western Gulf Blockade Squadron, sends thanks to the crews under his command for their conduct during the Battle of Mobile Bay, which took place on 5 August 1864. Remarks that despite having "witnessed the almost instantaneous annihilation of our gallant companions in the Tecumseh by a torpedo, and the slaughter of their friends, mess-mates and gun-mates on our decks, still there were no evidences of hesitation in following their Commander-in-Chief through the line of torpedoes and obstructions." See GLC04664.01 for a signed draft of this document.

Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870

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