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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.

Hammond, Horace J. to Eleanor Hammond

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09273.28 Author/Creator: Hammond, Horace J. Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 February 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 13.9 cm. Order a Copy

He, Joseph, and Fayette are all healthy. Leg is basically fully healed. Hopes this letter will find her in a similarly good condition and "enjoying the blessings of heaven." Has built a very good shanty to stay in. Washburn returned Monday. Will be staying at this camp until the ground is softer in the spring. They cannot move artillery until then. Received four months worth of pay worth $71.45. Plans on sending all but $5 of it home. Will send it in a letter "part of it at a time." It is possible that he will not be paid again until his time is out. Would love to be home with her and Oscar. She is "the dearest of anything on earth to me." Prays "that we may live to meet on earth again." Fears that he has wasted too much time, but does not plan on wasting any more. Is not homesick; simply would rather be home. Will not send her any bad money; will only send greenbacks. She must remember to write exactly how much money she receives in each letter.

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1864-1865

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