Our Collection

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.

Porter, Fitz-John (1822-1901) to Henry Jackson Hunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.078 Author/Creator: Porter, Fitz-John (1822-1901) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 10 November 1883 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 20.1 x 26.5 cm. Order a Copy

Laments the death of his friend Randolph. Encourages Hunt to befriend John Alexander Logan in the Senate. Mentions [Lord's?] pamphlet and Slocum (possibly General Henry Warner Slocum). Refers to a letter written by Ulysses S. Grant, which benefited him (possibly referring to the controversy over his military dismissal). Remarks, "Grant is true of heart when he knows he is right." Accompanying envelope is postmarked 14 October 1883, but docketed 23 November. A pencil note on the envelope indicates that it accompanies this letter.

Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts, including that of Governor of the Soldier's home in Washington, D.C. from 1883 until his death. Porter was dismissed from the military in 1863 because of his actions at Second Bull Run (or Second Manassas). His sentence was reversed in 1886.

Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901
Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Slocum, Henry Warner, 1826-1894
Logan, John Alexander, 1826-1886
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

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