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.

Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Henry H. Gorrings

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 #: GLC04512 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 March 1877 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

Addressed to Lieutenant Commander Gorrings, Gettysburg. Thanks him for sending the note from Lord Napier at Gibraltar. Comments on Napier's conduct during the Abyssinian campaign, "He was extremely polite to several of our army officers who visited Calcutta, Delhi etc. ... In his conduct of the Abyssinian Campaign, ... He organised, conducted that Campaign, and closed all its barriers[?] without a change of plan or of Commander. an event that proved him a perfect organizer & General." Written on stationary of the Headquarters Army of the United States.

Napier was acting Governor General and Viceroy of India from 21 November to 2 December 1863. He joined the Bengal Engineers in 1828 and later, the Bombay army. He commanded the Abyssinian expedition in 1867-68. In his military career he rose to be commander-in-chief of the Indian army 1870-1876 and Field Marshall in 1883.

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Gorrings, Henry H., fl. 1877
Napier, Francis, Baron Napier and Ettrick, 1819-1898

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources