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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.

Norton, Levi W. to wife

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09006.03 Author/Creator: Norton, Levi W. Place Written: Hastings-on-Hudson, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 September 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 26.6 x 21.4 cm. Order a Copy

Rode horse-back with the Colonel through several gates and came across a large open field. Writes that the Colonel asked him to take care of Capt Stewart, a prisoner, for the evening; offers him peaches and makes him feel at home and happy. They became close in a short amount of time. He finds Capt Stewart to be a gentleman and scholar and a better man than those who arrested him, who are from the 1st Regt. of this Brigade. Capt Stewart directs "a company of patrols to look after nigger stealers." Tells his wife that she judged rightly about the battle; it was quiet, there was no fuss or excitement. His black boy Joe has just opened the tent and brought water. Doyle has a colored boy who is also directed to look after his interests. Writes that he of course looks after the boy too. He has finally received letters from his family and is eagerly awaiting the time when he can be at home with them.

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