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.

Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) to Sarah Ogden

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 #: GLC06559.025 Author/Creator: Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) Place Written: Warrenton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 August cicra 1863 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope ; 17.5 x 11.2 cm. Order a Copy

Writes from camp near Warrenton, Virginia. Thanks Ogden for her letter and expresses his happiness that her husband, who is also in the militia, escaped the shelling of Carlisle unharmed. Says his company has "seen as hard service as any troops in the Army," and the men are glad they have only nine months left to serve. Reflects on the many lost lives of "noble fellows" and thanks God for sparing him during the Battle of Gettysburg. Describes his regiment's actions before and during the battle, in which several of the men were wounded or killed. Says, "I know it is wrong to cherish revengefull feelings, but as I seen the Rebels repulsed from every point with Terrible slaughter, I remember Fredericksburgh..." He believes that General George Meade should have "done his duty" and rather than "deafeating [sic] Lee [they] should have annihilated him." Says he was presented with a sword, which he plans to send home. Describes the discovery of several Rebels and the arrest and execution of a deserter. Informs Ogden that there is a Rebel Hospital nearby. In a postscript, tells Ogden that he is sending her a picture of himself. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits. Her husband served as a Union soldier.

Ogden, Sarah Morris Perot, 1831-1912

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources