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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.

Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) to parents

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09355.010 Author/Creator: Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) Place Written: Hagerstown, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 July 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 19.5 x 11.5 cm. Order a Copy

Have marched 3 or 4 miles closer to Hagerstown. Expecting a fight "every moment." There have been skirmishes as close as 400 yards away. Thinks there is a chance to end the war within a month. Lee has to get his army across the Potomac to Virginia, which is only 7 miles away. The army currently surrounds Lee: "We are gradually closing down" on him. Covered 40 miles in 20 hours in order to get to Gettysburg to fight. "A man has no idea what he can undergo of privation and fatigue until he is driven to it." Has felt "a hundred times" like he could go not further, but somehow managed to continue. "Has no appetite" and would like to be sent some money to buy food that is better than army rations.

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

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