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.

Doubleday, Abner (1819-1893) to Isaac N. Roland re: Fort Sumter, "I aimed the first gun there"

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 #: GLC04461.03 Author/Creator: Doubleday, Abner (1819-1893) Place Written: New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1888/01/18 Pagination: 1 p. 20.1 x 12.2 cm Order a Copy

Writes Roland that he has no time for a detailed answer to his question. He notes that there were 60 regular soldiers at Fort Sumter and that "I aimed the first gun there."

No, 29. West 17 Street
New York Jany 1888
Dear Sir
I am too much occupied and it would take up too much time for me to sit down and give you a detailed account of the opening of the war at Fort Sumter. We were sixty regular soldiers and few workmen besieged by 6000 confederates. I aimed the first gun there.

Yours Truly
Abner Doubleday
Bvt. Major Genl. U.S.A.
To Mr. Issac N. Roland
Freeport
Ill.

Doubleday, Abner, 1819-1893

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources