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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.

Smith, Asa to mother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03696.02 Author/Creator: Smith, Asa Place Written: Camp Hamiliton, Hampton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 October 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.4 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy

to mother [Ann Smith] A "spasm" occurred involving an attack on a Union foraging party, causing orders to be prepared to leave. He describes the arrival of troops, arms, and ships, noting those ships from Massachusetts. He tells of a letter he received from Wallace, and discusses the current military news and a compliment to his regiment. He expresses a wish to go with the Engineers that have received orders to move. Numbered in pencil "19."

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