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.

Moore, Andrew Barry (1807-1873) to Mattie Moore

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 #: GLC05020 Author/Creator: Moore, Andrew Barry (1807-1873) Place Written: Montgomery, Alabama Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 April 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.1 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

Moore, Governor of Alabama, discusses the Civil War with his daughter following the Battle of Fort Sumter. Expresses pride in Alabama's soldiers. Consoles Mattie in her husband's absence, stating "you must not be uneasy about your husband--rather glory in his ... order, & determination to do his whole duty to his country ... I assure you your patriotism would never have induced you to say to him stay ..." Predicts that Virginia will likely secede from the Union the same day he writes, with other border states soon following. Plans to travel to Pensacola, Alabama. Accompanied by a paper border, possibly for use in display.

The Battle of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, which took place 12-13 April 1861, was the first engagement of the Civil War.

Moore, Andrew Barry, 1807-1873
Moore, Mattie, fl. 1861

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources