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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 #: GLC04558.041 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Stafford County, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 September 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy

Called-out to repel rebels but "divel a one did we see at all." Evacuation of Fredericksburg camps, destroying bridges, foundry and machine shop; "most of us would have liked to have seen the whole of the city on fire, but then that was rebels property and we appear to be bound to save and protect that." Written on patriotic stationery. Written in a camp near Aquia Creek, Virginia, located in Stafford County.

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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