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.

Rifenburgh, Peter E. (1843-1863) to brother and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.019 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E. (1843-1863) Place Written: Camp Parapet, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 25.0 cm. Order a Copy

Letter is signed with an elaborate stamp that surrounds the initials P.E.R. It is possible that Rifenburgh created the stamp himself by simply putting dots of ink on the page, as it is not perfectly symmetrical. Received their letter yesterday. Is well, and hopes this letter finds them well. Not much news to report. "They brought a rebel into camp this afternoon." He was ordered to leave by the guard, and, when he did not, was shot. Has not been paid in a while. Asks to be sent some postage stamps. Will "give up writing so many" letters in order to save stamps. "Good news" from Mobile that the Rebels want "bread or peace." Lewis Brooks received his letter at the same time. Goes out "blackberrying" almost daily. It is earlier than he is used to for picking blackberries. Has no more time to write; encourages them to write often.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863
Brooks, Louis, fl. 1862-1876

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