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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.

Blanchard, Ira (b. 1835) to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.31.18 Author/Creator: Blanchard, Ira (b. 1835) Place Written: Jackson,Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 October 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 24.6 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Jackson, Tennessee. Thanks her for the flowers she enclosed in her letter. Comments, " the flowers which grow here are very beautiful, I think their breath is not poisoned with the sentiment of treason..." Expresses interest in knowing "...who you are waiting for" to marry. Says the rebels are in force at Bethel, Tennessee and have cut off their communication with Corinth, Mississippi. Talks about the vigorous efforts underway to secure the city of Jackson. Asks her what she thinks of the Emancipation Proclamation. States he is happy about it and hopes the "...Republican charter so long disgraced...shall be free to asert itself as the model government of the world."

Blanchard enlisted 13 June 1861 in Illinois as a Sargeant. He mustered into "H" Co., Illinois, Infantry.

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?
Kellogg, Mary Wright, 1844-1912

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