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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.

Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917) [Copy Book of E. R. Archer]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01896.159 Author/Creator: Archer, Edward R. (fl. 1830-1917) Place Written: London, England Type: Letterbook Date: 18 March 1864 to 15 November 1864 Pagination: 100 p. ; 17 x 11 cm. Order a Copy

"Wedgewood's Improved Copy Book." Letterpress copy book from Europe to Archer's family and fellow officers in the C.S.V.N. [Confederate States Volunteer Navy] with index of letters copied. Written while visiting London and Bermuda. On the cover it indicates the number of the book as '1'. Blue and white printed paper covers, product label pasted to front cover, tissue paper leaves. (18 Mar) "Some of my letters have been destroyed whist running the Blockade … You are now ready to supply Genl Beauregard with a 15" gun."; (29 Mar) "[Allow] us to make our sortie amongst the enemies fleet which heretofore have had full sway over the broad ocean … this will be the proudest moment of my life."; (8 Apr) "I can't understand how a white man can humble himself so much to become a servant … they are treated with more severity and are greater slaves than our servants are."; (5 May) "All the Confederates in Europe were highly delighted at … the defeat of [Nathaniel] Banks and & the taking of Fort Pillow by [Nathan Bedford] Forrest."

Archer, Edward Richard, 1834-1918

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