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.

Russell, E. S. (fl. 1861-1862) to Hannah E. Russell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.50.03 Author/Creator: Russell, E. S. (fl. 1861-1862) Place Written: Bargetown, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 January 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.1 x 24.9 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he is over 400 miles from home and is in the heart of the enemy. Reports that they marched for four days in hot weather with their knapsacks on their backs and their guns on their shoulders. On their third day, over 100 men fell out of ranks and laid beside the road. Whenever they stopped to rest the men would lay in the mud. States that he is satisfied and would not leave the army if he had the chance. Sends his love to his parents and friends. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

E. S. Russell enlisted as a private on 1 November 1861. He mustered into "G" Co. OH 65th Infantry. He died of disease on 8 May 1862 at Louisville, Kentucky.

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862
Russell, Hannah E., fl. 1861-1865

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