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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.

Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) to Edith M. Phelps

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.49.05 Author/Creator: Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) Place Written: Langley, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 December 1861 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 24.7 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his sister from Camp Pierpont. Reports of his crew going on a "foraging" and returning with 102 loads of corn and 20 loads of oats and hay. Describes having a good turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. A man named Bill Waldron purchased a turkey for 50 cents and had it baked. Writes of Bill Waldron having things sent to him, requests that his parents send him six to ten pounds of butter and some chickens with Bill's stuff for Christmas. Says that butter is worth 30 cents where he is at. Reports having his picture taken in full uniform and looking very military. Written on "6th Pennsylvania Regiment" paper with a picture of a private and an excerpt about the "Bloody Sixth." Envelope has same picture and excerpt on it. Letter is torn causing minor text loss.

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, PA.

Phelps, Diton, fl. 1861-1864
Phelps, Edith M., fl. 1861

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