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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.

Gordon, Thomas M. (fl. 1861-1865) to Mrs. Edward Brown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09004 Author/Creator: Gordon, Thomas M. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: Bowling Green, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 February 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 23.5 x 15 cm. Order a Copy

Gordon, a Confederate soldier, begins his letter by stating he greatly misses his home and friends. Says that he has been attending church and receiving some comfort from religion. Writes about a man from his regiment who deserted and is now sentenced to be executed by firing squad. States that he ministered to the soldier and read to him from the Bible. "Twelve men from the Regt. will be detailed to perform the execution ... I hope that I will not be one the number he has a wife and two children she came to see him a few days ago." Adds that the man wanted his wife to stay to see him shot but she refused. Expresses sympathy for the wife and writes that she tried to get the condemned man a new trial but failed. Asks Mrs. Brown to pray for his safe return and to write him. Lists his post to write to as 1st Va Regt of Artillery, care of Capt. Willis J. Dance. Written from camp near Bowling Green, Caroline County in Virginia. Addressed to Brown in Sunny Side, Cumberland County, Virginia. Envelope has two Confederate States, Jefferson Davis 5 cent postage stamps.

Gordon enlisted on 16 July 1861 as a private in the Virginia Powhatan Light Artillery. He was paroled at the end of the war on 25 April 1865. Captain Willis J. Dance is listed as captain of this artillery.

Gordon, Thomas M., fl. 1861-1865
Brown, Edward, Mrs., fl. 1863
Dance, Willis J., fl. 1861-1863

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