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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 #: GLC08913.14 Author/Creator: Bell, Grove L. Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 October 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.2 x 23.6 cm. Order a Copy

Is somewhere between Indianapolis and Louisville on a train. Decided to write as soon as the cars stopped moving. Had to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Marched to Rappahannock Station, where they were put "into cattle cars." No room to lie down to sleep; have to sleep sitting up. Train travelled to Washington D. C. through the night; continued on to Wheeling, VA/WV. Had to change to their current train at Wheeling. Got "a good supper" last night. Arrived in Louisville at about dark. The dinner he had last night was better than even the nicest dinner he had had back home. Describes the dinner he had, which included "barrels of coffee" and "cakes." "It was the best dinner I ever saw." Thinks he is within 100 miles of Akron, Ohio.

Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863

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