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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.

Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.020 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Camp Dickinson, Roanoke Island, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 April 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Expedition to and battle at Elizabeth City [Camden, N.C. 4/19] described at length: 12 hour forced march of 35 miles, fatigue, errors in battle formation, thrown back and reformation in woods: "We were rallyed again here under the shelter of the woods and the Zouaves were to be rallyed and support us. We then struck through the corner of the woods comeing out near the rebels left wing and charged bayonets on them with a yell that made everything ring and the [51st] P.A. did the same when the rebels broke and scadaddled...."

Tillotson was thirty-one years old when he enlisted as a corporal on November 5, 1861. He mustered in H company of the NY 89th infantry or Dickinson Guards and later promoted to Sergeant. He was discharged on December 18, 1864.

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

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