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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.

Hesner, D.S. (1862) to Sarah Ogden

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.050 Author/Creator: Hesner, D.S. (1862) Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 November 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 19.9 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy

Writes from Camp Convalescent. Describes his journey from the hospital to the camp, mentioning his stop in Washington and his boat trip to Alexandria. Notes he had some difficulty locating the camp. Describes his living situation in the camp, which is comfortable. However, medical accommodations are lacking, and the men have to take care of themselves. Says if necessary, they can purchase a ticket at headquarters and get a prescription for medicine. Many of the men are ill, and he believes they should be in hospitals. States between fifty and seventy-five discharges are issued each day, and many men die from lack of care. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

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

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