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.

David (fl. 1861-) to Mr. Whittford

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07205.073 Author/Creator: David (fl. 1861-) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 July 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 13.7 x 21.2 cm. Order a Copy

No Year. He writes of how many soldiers wished they could have deserted when they had the chance. Family members would send mixed messages about wanting them to come home but never wanting to see a deserter.

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