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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.

Thompson, Joseph (fl. 1863-1864) to Sarah Ogden

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.090 Author/Creator: Thompson, Joseph (fl. 1863-1864) Place Written: Arlington, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 January 1864 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 27.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Writes from Fort Ethan Allen. Informs Ogden he reenlisted twenty-nine days after being discharged from his old regiment. Says he reached Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when the Rebels were raiding Pennsylvania and "could not stand and see old Pa. invaded by no means while I have a hand to help her." He was assigned to the second New York Heavy Artillery but is unhappy with the position and wants to reenlist. States, "I am bound to stay in the army untill [sic] peace is declared for I think it is every mans dutey [sic] to help and get this settled."

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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