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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.

Swain, Julius Marshall (1835-1911) to his sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.10.03 Author/Creator: Swain, Julius Marshall (1835-1911) Place Written: Poolesville, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 January 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 25.2 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

He reports his troop's movements and his hope for a winter camp soon. He was temporarily appointed commanding brigade quartermaster and oversees the provision of clothing and horse feed, as well as supervision of teamsters, carpenters, and blacksmiths. He expresses concern about money.

Swain was a telegrapher with the Massachusetts Signal Corps, 38th Regiment. He enlisted in 1862 as a second lieutenant, and was commissioned into the US Army Signal Corps in 1863, resigning in 1865. He was breveted first lieutenant and captain 13 March 1865. Swain considered joining the 54th Mass. (Colored) Regiment.

Swain, Julius Marshall, 1835-1911

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