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.

Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) Collection of Diton Phelps, F company, 6th regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry [Decimalized .01-.18]

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 #: GLC03523.49 Author/Creator: Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1861-1864 Pagination: 18 items Order a Copy

The letters are written by Diton Phelps to his family. Most of the letters are written to his sisters with a few to his parents. There is a possibility that the letters are out of order due to no year being listed. Letters discuss camp life, his health, and the different people he encounters. A trial and hearings on his captain and lieutenant are discussed throughout the letters.

Diton Phelps enlisted as a private on 15 May 1861. He mustered into "F" Co. PA 35th Infantry. He was mustered out on 11 June 1864 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources