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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.

Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) to Stockton Bates

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.23.12 Author/Creator: Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) Place Written: Forest Oak, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 March 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.3 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

Describes the lack of religion in camp; his regiment has not had a chaplain since the battle of Fair Oaks (which took place 31 May and 1 June 1862). Comments on the Copperhead attempts to divide the North and its impact on the soldiers. There are several intelligent men in his company, though the majority have a common school education and a few are uneducated.

Enlisted on 22 August 1861 as a Private; mustered into A company, 61st regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry. Promoted to sergeant 1 November 1864, when he was transferred from company A to company F. Mustered out on 28 June 1865 at Washington, D.C.

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865
Bates, Stockton, fl. 1861-1866

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