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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.

Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham) (1816-1892) to Edwin M. Stanton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01504.02.12 Author/Creator: Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham) (1816-1892) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Typed letter Date: 21 April 1866 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.9 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Meigs, United States Quartermaster General, recounts that General Brisbin and a small squad of recruits made "great efforts to rally the retreating and disorganized soldiers on the road near Centerville on the night of the first battle of Bull Run." Declares that he "was so much pleased with [Brisbin's] conduct that [he] mentioned it to the Secretary of War, who promoted him." States that he has not been familiar with Brisbin's service since that time, but is confident that Brisbin will be able to produce a record of his services. Writes, "Of his patriotism and gallantry he has given abundant proof." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

Montgomery C. Meigs (1816-1892) served as the Union Army's Quartermaster General. He was also an engineer, designing several forts for the army as well as civil engineering projects after the war.

Mills, Albert L., 1854-1916
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Meigs, Montgomery C. (Montgomery Cunningham), 1816-1892
Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks),1837-1892

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