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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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December 11, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife. Wishes that he could visit home but says that the colonel will not allow any furloughs. Comments that they now have their arms and equipment. Wants her not to fret about him and to take care of his "Dear little babes," and not to forget to pray for him "with a singer hart." Inquires about money, and requests that she not send any but to use it to make the family as comfortable as possible. Sends his love and asks for her to write him back immediately. Letter is slightly damaged causing minor text loss. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo…

GLC03523.50.02

1 January 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes that he is over 400 miles from home and is in the heart of the enemy. Reports that they marched for four days in hot weather with their knapsacks on their backs and their guns on their shoulders. On their third day, over 100 men fell out of ranks and laid beside the road. Whenever they stopped to rest the men would lay in the mud. States that he is satisfied and would not leave the army if he had the chance. Sends his love to his parents and friends. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

GLC03523.50.03

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

January 18, 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to wife from camp. Describes marching through snow, rain, and mud for three days. Comments that there were dozens of men who fell beside the road and laid in the rain and mud. One person did not make it and died on the way. Informs her that he had a cold and a slight fever but that he feels fine now. Writes that they will be heading towards Cumberland Gap, Kentucky in a few days. Sends his love to his wife, children, and parents. Written on paper with an image of the American flag and the logo, "PROTECT IT."

GLC03523.50.05

January 27, 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to wife from camp outside of Somerset, Kentucky. Admonishes wife for making fun of his living conditions. Informs her that their living conditions have not improved and that they are upon hard times. Describes having to march on three crackers per day and two different times they had to march on only a cup of coffee without cream, bread, meat or anything else. They had to lay on the cold ground with only a single blanket. Another time they went eight to ten days living off coffee and half cooked mush. Discusses a battle that they fought in Somerset, Kentucky. Writes that Union…

GLC03523.50.06

February 5, 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes to his wife listing everywhere they have been. They marched out of Bargetown, Kentucky on 13 December heading for Lebanon, Kentucky. Around 80 soldiers fell sick and had to stay behind. Writes that he fell sick and was told by the doctor to stay behind and head out with the sick, he had refused but the doctor took down his name and he was ordered in the wagon. The next morning he joined the ranks again and did a three day march to Lebanon, Kentucky. They remained in Lebanon, Kentucky for ten days then continued to Louisville, Kentucky. Writes that they marched passed Stanford,…

GLC03523.50.07

February 11, 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

February 21, 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

7 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs wife that he is on the mend and hopes to be fully recovered soon. Writes that he is sending her 15 dollars.

GLC03523.50.10

16 March 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Writes that he sent 15 dollars and wants her to spend it wisely for he does not know when he will get paid again. Comments that he had a relapse of the fever since he last wrote to her but that God spared his life. Reports that his regiment is in Nashville, Tennessee and that he will go 400 miles by water to join them. He will head down the Ohio River, then up the Cumberland River to Nashville. Asks her not to write to him until he joins his regiment. Describes the Union cause as, "brite and our victorious army is mooving on like A mighty flood and is pushing the rebels back..."…

GLC03523.50.11

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 May 1862

Gordon, G., fl. 1862

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Hannah E. Russell

Informs Mrs. Russell that if some of her husband's clothing is missing that it probably got mixed up with other people's. Explains to her that often the men who arrive from camp are so sick that they cannot take of their own baggage and that it is impossible to prevent some things from being mixed up. Writes that other than what Mr. Russell was buried in he believes that she has every article of clothing that was known to belong to her husband. Informs her that the clothes that were given to her husband while at the hospital get returned to the hospital. States that the $1.75 that Mr.…

GLC03523.50.17

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

1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: [religious verse] [in German]

Appears to be a prayer. Throughout the document the Trinity and Mary are called upon. There is a passage at the end of the document that is written in English. "A true & approbiate [sic] fever knowledge that whosoever has this letter in his house no fire will Break out in the hous [sic] Whosoevers has this letter with him or in his house is safe before the sicke & Pestilence." No date or signature is given. Possibly written by Russell during his last days of sickness.

GLC03523.50.19

1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: [religious verse]

Appears to be a verse from the Bible or a prayer. "swelling swelling. I command in the Name of Jesus Christ that the N N so little injure Than our lord Jesus Christ the three Nails injured When the Jews drove them through his hands & feet +++ the brand Hugsab for thy worms & swelling 3 times."

GLC03523.50.20

1861-1865

Manuscript document

Title: [religious verse]

Speaks of the Trinity and of two evil eyes and three good eyes. Instructions are given on how to cure sore eyes, the fever, to make you firm, and knowledge to shoot.

GLC03523.50.21