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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.

Fuller, Franklin W. (fl. 1861-1865) to Mary

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.42.21 Author/Creator: Fuller, Franklin W. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 April 1863 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 19.9 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy

Written at camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He has enclosed five dollars in each of his last letters for her. He has also mailed her his "likeness" [picture] and a few pages from his diary. Writes that he is feeling well and that he understands why she has so many fears for his health. Explains that his cough is gone and that his appetite is much better. He is more worried about her throat and suggests that she should have it taken care of as soon as possible. Writes that he could use a new rubber blanket as he was stolen last week. He will get another blanket from the Army. He is thinking of writing Leow and see if he can have a pair of boots made and shipped. Asks her to go through his trunk and if there is anything inside that she wants she can have it. He suggests that she move the trunks to her house if possible. He asks that in the event of his death some of his clothes be sent to his brother Milton, the other trunks be divided between his brothers and sister, and the box of older letters should go to her. Does not think that George, the company nurse, will be discharged because the doctor told him that as long as he health allows him to do his duties he must not be discharged. Fortunately, there are very few who are sick so it makes his duties very light. Writes that most of the troops are doing well.

Franklin W. Fuller from Howard, Illinois enlisted on 14 August 1862 as a Sergeant. He mustered into the I Company of the Illinois 74th Infantry on 4 September 1862. He was mustered out on 10 June 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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