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.

Lee, Fitzhugh (1835-1905) to T.W. Colley

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03990 Author/Creator: Lee, Fitzhugh (1835-1905) Place Written: Garrisonville, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 December 1866 Pagination: 1 p. ; 24.9 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Offering to purchase artificial foot for T. W. Colley, a Confederate amputee. Hopes to purchase the foot with the money he raised during a fair "for the relief of the South." Lee is now "engaged in farming."

Richland, Garrisonville Post Office Stafford County, Virginia December 9, 1856- igbb

I have been fortunate in securing from the fair recently held in St. Louis for the Relief of the South a sum sufficient I hope to purchase you an artificial foot - write to me at once describing minutely the nature of the amputation, I mean the exact point and also the dimensions of your other foot and ankle so that the two can conform.
Let me know also your exact address as for the money from Cavendish I fear you will lose it as his whereabouts in England cannot be ascertained. I am down here on the Potomac River engaged in farming - trying to raise wheat and corn, not being able to draw the latter from the Quartermasters any longer. Hoping to hear from you soon I am very truly,

Fitzhugh Lee For T.W. Collie

Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905
Corley, T.W., fl. 1866

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