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.

Garrard, Kenner (1828-1879) to George H. Thomas

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03504 Author/Creator: Garrard, Kenner (1828-1879) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 May 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Reports that the bridge that Thomas was looking for has been found, and that the Confederates have burned it. Reports he was unable to save the bridge. Recipient inferred.

Kenner Garrard was a Union General.

May 21 -
Maj-Gen Thomas -
It has just been reported to me that the bridge you were looking for this morning was burnt to day about 3 P.M. by a rebel regt which came down on the other side of the river -
The party sent up the Cartersville road went within two miles of that place - They saw no enemy this side of their camps near Cartersville & saw large fires in that neighborhood - You asked me to send a guard to the bridge tomorrow, but I sent it up at 4 oclock this afternoon. [struck: instead] [inserted: It will be] too late however - I reported about this bridge last night & not knowing till I saw you [inserted: it would be wanted,] & having no orders about it I took no measures to secure it -
Very Respty Yr obt servt,
K. Garrard
Brig Gen
[address leaf]
Maj Gen. Scott Thomas
Comdg Army
of the Cumberland

Garrard, Kenner, 1828-1879
Thomas, George Henry, 1816-1870

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources