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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.

Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) to Elizabeth N. Kessler

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.52.70 Author/Creator: Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) Place Written: Petersburg, VA Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 October 1864 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.6 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his sister from camp. Expresses his joy in hearing about the copperheads getting drafted. Comments about the wages being less when one is drafted versus volunteering. Notes he would like to see "some of them Baby Boy's" get drafted from Washington. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Addressee name and year taken from envelope.

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, Elizabeth N., fl. 1863

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