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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.

Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) to Stockton Bates

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.23.14 Author/Creator: Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) Place Written: Falmouth, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 May 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm. Order a Copy

Recounts recent battles, during which their colonel was killed and 50 soldiers were killed and wounded, losing in total 107 of 350 in the regiment and 1100 of 2300 in the division. Believes that Fredericksburg cannot be taken: "Every strip of woods is intersected with rifle pits, and every brook fortified." The men are very discouraged and the rebel soldiers look healthy and have great faith in their generals. Describes Fredericksburg.

Enlisted on 22 August 1861 as a Private; mustered into A company, 61st regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry. Promoted to sergeant 1 November 1864, when he was transferred from company A to company F. Mustered out on 28 June 1865 at Washington, D.C.

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865
Bates, Stockton, fl. 1861-1866

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