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.

Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) to Anzolette Page

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03844 Author/Creator: Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) Place Written: Winchester, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 February 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.3 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to ask his mother if his sisters, Mary and Rose, may travel to Richmond, Virginia to attend the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as Confederate President. Humorously phrases the request in military terms, describing the request for a "furlough" and his asking as part of a "solemn conspiracy" for which she "will be ready to cry treason!" Notes that his sister has written to their father for permission also. Goes into details about money and where they will stay to allay her fears.

Pendleton, Alexander Swift, 1840-1864
Page, Anzolette, 1807-1884

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