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.

Sayles, Sumner (fl. 1862-1868) to William P. Sayles

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.32.28 Author/Creator: Sayles, Sumner (fl. 1862-1868) Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 December 1863 Pagination: 4p. : envelope ; 19.6 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his father from camp. Informs him that he sent ten dollars home. Complains about how long it has been since he has received any letters from the Silases family. Writes that a man named Knapp is a fool for trying to recruit all the "little boys" into the army. Notes that he cannot wait for the war to be over and hopes that Wash never has to see it. Letter has an image and the words, "E Pluribus Unum."

Sumner Sayles enlisted as a private on 9 August 1862. He mustered into "H" Co. IL 95th Infantry. He mustered out on 17 August 1865.

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868
Sayles, William P., fl. 1863

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