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.

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

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 #: GLC03523.23.40 Author/Creator: Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) Place Written: Danville, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 May 1865 Pagination: 6 p. ; 20.4 x 24.7 cm. Order a Copy

Was a prisoner of war a year ago here; has visited his old prison. Local attitudes towards the Union have changed due to Grant. "The conduct of the soldiers has been remarkable, when we consider the bitterness, the cruelty, the fiendishness with which the Southrons waged war upon us. I ascribe it to influence which intelligence and Christianity has upon the Northern people." Confederate money is worthless and the people are destitute. Freed slaves act in "mutinous conduct," and the soldiers must settle disputes.

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

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources