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.

Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) to A. P. Kessler

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.52.44 Author/Creator: Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 31.7 x 39.1 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his father from camp. Reports they will not get a discharge. Comments the officers voted to keep the band and have promised to buy them new instruments, provide back pay, and have pledged themselves to prompt payment hereafter. Comments that he has two years left in the service and believes he can withstand it. Relays an incident involving two privates who robbed a church. List the prices of food. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

Thomas J. Kessler enlisted as a private on 29 June 1863 at Edwardsburg, Michigan. On 8 July 1863 he mustered into "G" Co. Michigan 1st SharpShooters. He was mustered out on 28 July 1865 at Delaney House, Washington, D.C.

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868
Kessler, A. P., fl. 1863

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