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.

Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) to mother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.18.16 Author/Creator: Morey, Charles C. (ca. 1830-1865) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

Mentions a 45-day drought, dust-filled marches, and destruction of rebel-held facilities. Discusses General W. F. Smith's advance on Fort Clifton: "we marched out to Reams station on the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. Destroyed a large machine shop, tore up the track burned the ties and bent the nails and inflicted all the damage we could on the 'Johnnies'."

Smith commanded a division of colored troops. He was removed from service on 19 July for hesitating during an advance on Petersburg. It is believed by some that this hesitation may have resulted in the prolonging of the war.

Morey, Charles Carroll, d. 1865
Smith, General W.F

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