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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.

Bell, Grove L. to home friends

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08913.02 Author/Creator: Bell, Grove L. Place Written: Pleasant Valley near Sandy Hook, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 October 1862 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope ; 20.4 x 25.4 cm. Order a Copy

Bell to friends. Letter written in pencil. Very faded. Some parts are illegible. The envelope is addressed to Mr. Edwin Bell. Received last letter two days ago. Had tried a couple of times to write a letter but had not been able to do so. Some mail and provisions came for Company D today, but because he did not move quickly he did not get any. "Everyone but me had a large bundle of cake." "Felt as if I hadn't any friends." Got some cookies; first time he had not been hungry in a long time. "There [are] a few big men with scraps on their shoulders that are making all of the money." Considering giving up by the end of the month. Only has ten meals left. The remaining loaves of bread are few and far between; they are also very small. Spirits in general are low. Members of his company have been left behind to cover the rear, and one of his captains has left to go to Baltimore.

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

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