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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.

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8 January 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Chastens wife for her thinking that he is going to die and wanting him to cover transportation cost if it were to happen. Mentions that it is unreasonable for her to think that any man would go to the expense of paying 100 dollars to have his "lifeless" body sent home when his is alive. Tells her that he is alive and well and expects to come home at the end of the war. Reminds her that she has "got plenty to eat drink and to ware. So please be Contended." Reports that the rebels have fell back 30 miles and have yet to fortify themselves. States that they have 150 thousand Union troops in…

GLC03523.50.04

11 February 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs wife that he is not well, says he has a bad cold and dysentery. Comments that he was able to march everyday carrying his gun while sick but could not carry his knapsack. The doctor had it carried in his wagon. Writes that he does not have any money to give her and informs her to send a man named Pete to Ashland, Ohio to get money. Tells her to be careful with money and to send him a list with the cost of groceries and feed. Believes that they will fight against General Simon Buckner in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "…

GLC03523.50.08

21 February 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Reports that he is not well and has been suffering from lung fever for the past eight days. Writes that he is slowly mending and can now walk around and eat a little. Comments that he is not in the general hospital but in a private house with 18 others. Notes that they have good nurses and doctors but often poor food for sick people. Believes that he will remain there until he is well and expects the regiment to remain in place too. Tells her not to fret about him but to be as content as she can be and to take care or herself. Hopes to be home sometime in July. Writes that he was…

GLC03523.50.09

25 March 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs his wife that he misses her and would like to see his family, friends, and neighbors. Comments that he does not want to see one particular family who has been telling lies about him and his family. Writes that he expects to stay in Louisville, Kentucky for another 100 days and wants her to write him immediately.

GLC03523.50.12

11 April 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Letter is signed by Russell but written in the hand of John Vangordon, a fellow patient in the hospital. Informs his wife that he is too weak to write. Reports that he intended to go to Nashville, Tennessee but the doctor said that he was diseased in the right lung and had to stay put. Reports that the doctor is doubtful of him getting well. Describes spitting out a considerable amount of blood from his right lung and having severe pain in his right side. Request that she send his brother for him immediately if she can raise the money. If she cannot raise the money he wants her to sell…

GLC03523.50.13

13 April 1862

Bigalow, Marlin M., fl. 1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Written by a nurse who cared for E. S. Russell at the Hospital. Informs Mrs. Russell that her husband, E. S. Russell, is very sick. Writes, "his case is almost a hopeless one...he cant live but a very few houres [sic] i wish you could be here and see him in his last hours his panes has bin very severe since he came here form the barracks." Mentions that Mr. Russell sends his love to her and the children and that he wants them to live and grow in grace and meet him in heaven. Request that someone come after him and his things as soon as possible.

GLC03523.50.14

4 May 1862

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs his wife that he is not doing any better and believes that his time is near. States that he is submitting to God's will. Writes, "my prayer is that God may be good to you & my dear children. Put your trust in him & he will be a friend to you in every time of need." Sends his goodbyes and writes that they will meet again in heaven. The letter has watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.50.15

9 May 1862

Gordon, G., fl. 1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs Mrs. Russell that her husband, E. S. Russell, passed away last night. Describes him as having suffered greatly his last few days but when he finally passed away it was easy. Believes that he "is now in the full enjoyment of that rest which remains for the people of God." Informs her that Russell received a letter from his brother the day before his death but that he was unable to see it due to his suffering and loss of hearing and sight. Tells her that the steward will send her husband's knapsack and clothing to her. Writes that he is buried in a beautiful spot in Cape Hill…

GLC03523.50.16

27 Apil 1865

Vaughn, B.C., fl. 1863-1865

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his cousin from camp. Informs her that he was sorry to hear about her husband's death but says that he died for a good cause. Writes that he has seen a great many good men killed and a good deal of women and children left widowed and orphaned and he hopes that the war ends soon. Discusses a rumor in camp that the Army Corps have been ordered to return to their home State to be mustered out of the service. Reminisces about old times and looks forward to when they can see each other again. Writes that he does not feel any older since joining the war two years ago and has enjoyed…

GLC03523.50.18

30 March 1861

Potter, J. Sturgis, fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Governor Francis W. Pickens

A Boston entrepreneur suggests that machinery for knitting hosiery be adapted to cotton thread. "All of the labor except a man to manage the carding machines, could be better done by female slaves than any other. There is a cotton factory in your state that can at once be turned a very profitable account by introducing this machinery."

GLC09199

December 25, 1862-December 29, 1862

Spencer, George A., fl. 1862-1864

Manuscript letter

Title: to his mother

Two letters on same sheet. The main portion contains a letter by Spencer to his mother (likely Mrs. Alice Spencer), written from "Camp parole Annaplis" (likely Annapolis, Maryland) and dated 25 December 1862. At the top of the first page is a brief introductory note written by Mary T. Gorham to Mrs. Todd, written from "Bristol" (likely Bristol, Rhode Island) and dated 29 December 1862. Gorham's letter states that below she has copied George's letter from the original, which was received by "Aunt Alice."

GLC00653.21.02

November 5, 1862

Dane, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie

Written to a friend (or family member) away at school. Comments on news of friends, family, and recent events in Chester. Writes, "Since you left here our village population has been honorably in[creased] by a colony of Negroes- bucks, wenches... how would you like to live in a house with a negro family? Benj Bright has got home again and brought a negro with him dont you think we will have enough negroes soon?"

GLC00919.25.24

July 13, 1863

Noble, Marget Roberts, fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Written on patriotic stationary and comes with a patriotic envelope. Written from "New Liberty Po Co Ills," perhaps New Liberty, in Pope County, Illinois. Written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay. Signs name as Marget J. Noble.

GLC01013.23

1861-1865

Noble, Marget Roberts, fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay. A patriotic envelope is included.

GLC01013.24

December 18, 1864

Noble, Marget Roberts, fl. 1861-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Written from "New Liberty Pope County Ill." Written to Sarah Lay, wife of Creed A. Lay.

GLC01013.25

January 1, 1869

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister

Letter signed by "your loving brother and sister til death." Handwriting seems similar to that of Marget Noble, Sarah Lay's sister. May be addressed to Creed and Sarah Lay; addressees listed as "brother and sister and children."

GLC01013.29

8 July 1864

Benham, Tower S., fl. 1841-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Petersburg. Comments on General Ulysses S. Grant, writing "Gen Grant is not the man to rest untill [sic] he acomplishes what he started to do and that I suppose was to take Richmond and Mrs Ogden we are going to take it within two months from Date..." Also says that he no longer supports [General George] McClellan, whom he now believes to be a "Copper Head of the Darkest [Die]..." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.003

24 January 1863

Chase, James F., fl. 1834-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from the U.S.A. Chestnut Hill Hospital, currently known as Mower General Hospital. Writes on behalf of Charley Miller who is too sick to sleep or stand. Envelope includes a three cent stamp and an image of a three leaf clover with the text, "2nd Corps, 2d Division" written below, and "Magee, 316 Chestnut St. Philada Copy right secured, 1863" written on the left hand side.

GLC06559.005

19 March 1864

Chase, James F., fl. 1834-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from "U.S.A. Hospital Harvey." Describes his recent journey from Philadelphia to Chicago, the state of his wound, and the weather in Chicago. Writes he rode "in one of the meanest Cars in the world there was Niggers and soldiers and all Kinds of the (this was this side of Pittsburg) Poorest description..." He concludes by thanking Ogden for her photograph and her kindness. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.006

3 May 1864

Chase, James F., fl. 1834-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from "Harvey Hosp Madison." He often thinks of the women from the Broad & Cherry Hospital, Ward B when he gets lonely. Describes his wound and the progress he has made rehabilitating his leg. Says he will not talk to any of the "boys" from the hospital until he has some photographs. Concludes by thanking Ogden and requesting that she give his love to the other nurses as well. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

GLC06559.007

29 September 1862

Daniel, Edwards S., fl. 1835-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from "home." Describes his journey home from the hospital and thanks Ogden for the eggnog she made him, which helped lessen the pain of his wound while he was traveling. Says his physician looked at his injured leg after his arrival, and said that he would not be able to fight for three months. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.008