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.

Warren, Gouverneur K. (1830-1882) to Lorenzo Thomas

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03801.02 Author/Creator: Warren, Gouverneur K. (1830-1882) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 August 1863 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.5 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy

Accepting his promotion to Major General of Volunteers, and enclosing his oath of office (GLC03801.01).

Lorenzo Thomas was a Union Brigadier General.
Gouverneur K. Warren was a Union Brigadier General of Volunteers.

I, Gouverneur K. Warren, having been appointed a Major General of Volunteers in the MILITARY SERVICE of the UNITED STATES, do solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily BORNE ARMS against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no AID, COUNTENCACE, COUNSEL, or ENCOURAGEMENT to persons engaged in ARMED HOSTILITY thereto; that I have neither sought, nor accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of ANY OFFICE WHATEVER, under any authority, or pretended authority, IN HOSTILITY to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary SUPPOORT to any PRETENDED GOVERNMENT, AUTHORITY, POWER, or CONSTITUTION WITHIN the United States, HOSTILE or INIMICAL thereto. And I do further swear that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will SUPPORT and DEFEND the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES against all enemies, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC; that I will bear true FAITH and ALLEGIANCE to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: and that I will WELL and FAITHFULLY discharge the DUTIES of the OFFICE on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
G. K. Warren
Maj. Genl. Vol's
Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Washington DC
this 8th day of August, 1863. Gnl Thomas
[illegible]

Thomas, Lorenzo, 1804-1875
Warren, Gouverneur Kemble, 1830-1882

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources