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) to his sister and parents

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.49.16 Author/Creator: Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1 June 1861-1864 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.1 x 24.2 cm. Order a Copy

Reports that he just heard that General Nathanial Banks was defeated and that General Thomas [Stonewall] Jackson has gotten himself into a scrape. He is surrounded by General "Seigal" [Franz Sigel?], General Edward Ord, and General [John] Fremont. Comments about General Ord being their old Brigade General and that everyone hated to see him leave. Writes that he sent home a new dress coat and $18. The letter is dated 1 June but a year is not given.

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
Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894
Jackson, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall," 1824-1863
Sigel, Franz, 1824-1902
Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890
Ord, Edward Otho Cresap, 1818-1883
Jackson, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall," 1824-1863

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