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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.

Atkins, James (fl. 1862) to his father

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08207 Author/Creator: Atkins, James (fl. 1862) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 09 April 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

Written from the U.S. Steam Sloop Brooklyn, Head of the Passes Mississippi River. Describes the Union naval preparations prior to the assault on New Orleans, with particular attention to the mortar fleet of David Dixon Porter. Discusses in depth the various ships in the fleet, the Hartford, Richmond, Pensacola, Mississippi, Iroquois, and Oneida, among others and the equipment on each. Comments on the prize money from an expedition involving the Magnolia, and states the crew from the South Carolina might now unjustly receive it instead of the crew of the Brooklyn. Mentions the weather and that his health is good. Continues writing 11 April 1862. The bombardment of New Orleans began on 18 April, nine days later.

Atkins, James, fl. 1862
Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

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