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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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1862/02/27

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Susannah L. Morris.

Wilmor conjectures that "we will come home when we leave here fore the rebles are getting whip[p]ed every where thay meet our boys." He ate at a table for the first time since leaving home, at the home of a "pritty little plump girl" he met near the picket line. He reports that they "get a long firss[t] rate we are all fat."

GLC06451.042

1862/03/08

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Wilmor's regiment is leaving Camp Johnston. He heard the Confederates "talking and whistling yankee doodle" on picket last night. The 63rd lost three men and one was wounded because Colonel Morgan thought the Confederates were "new york boys" when they passed through his ambush and did not fire on them. Wilmor still trusts Morgan but says that Berrenger is "the boy" and "he would have shot all the rebles." The little tents they carry on their backs make them look like "land turtles."

GLC06451.043

1862/04/16

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Wilmor describes a confrontation near three Confederate forts. The Confederates nearly surrounded them and fired rifles and muskets, creating a "shower of balls mixed with grape an[d] shell" but they retreated and "lost not a man." He declares "It is not hard work so long as a person dont git hurt." Written at Camp McClellan.

GLC06451.046

1862/06/10

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Brother an[d] friends."

Wilmor is not sure whether Jesse went to Philadelphia or not but assures them that "god will shield us in the day of Battle." He describes the recent Battle of Fair Oaks, whose battlefield "was the most terrifying place I ever seen the dead lay thick." He claims the Confederates meant to take them all prisoner and "a heap of the nobility came out too see us runn." He has heard that the Confederate soldiers are tired and that they had to "force the North Carolina troops too fight they don't know that the state has returned too the union an[d] called her Troops home."

GLC06451.049

1862/07/04

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Dear Friends."

Wilmor reports that Joseph is getting better and Charles is well. He had been sick for two weeks and has not been fighting. He threw away his knapsack and all its contents because he can no longer carry it. He is unsure how the war will continue as "we are half whip[p]ed or it looks like it" and "it is gloomy looking times here."

GLC06451.050

1862/07/20

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Mr. and Mrs. John Morris.

Wilmor has seen Charles several times and he is looking better though he was very sick. Doctor Whitssell has left with swamp fever and Wilmor hopes he has a bad case as he made men "that was not able to walk hardley" stand duty, saying they "wanted exorcise [exercise]." He will send money through a young lady so it is less likely to be rifled.

GLC06451.051

1862/07/22

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Wilmor reports that Doctor Whitssell is dead and some of the men "are rejoicing at his death" since he "made fun of" the sick and told them they were "playing off." The Colonel has given orders to reform the ten companies into six, putting Company A and Wilmor with Company F but he hopes this will not come to pass. Wilmor wants to know "how the war fever is an[d] how the peoples pulse beats in the north on the war."

GLC06451.052

1861/10/22

Watson, J., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Wilmor W. Morris.

Watson considered writing earlier but explains "I know you get all the current news of your old haunts from the fair sex." He reports that conditions are improving, most of the "iron works, rolling mills, glass houses etc. have resumed operations," and predicts it is "very likely the northern states will see tolerable good times this winter." He reminds Wilmor that "there are thousands upon thousands of pulses beating in expectation of your efforts." He heard that Senator Baker from Creyor was killed in a skirmish under General Stone.

GLC06451.054

1863/11/05

Barrett, Joseph H., fl. 1862-1863

Document signed

Title: "Mr. Wilmor W. Morris whose application for an invalid pension ..."

"Mr. Wilmor W. Morris whose application for an invalid pension, No. 24936, under the act of July 14, 1862, is pending in this Office, must report himself for examination to Dr. William M. Herron of Alleghany City Alleghany Co Pa."

GLC06451.056

1863/02/14

Smith, William, 1797-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Mr. Morris [Wilmor?]

Smith received Morris' letter just before the regiment went on picket so he was not able to reply sooner. He will send "with this letter the amount of the clothing you have drawn and that will be all you will nead. There will be a good bit in youre faver." Written in a camp near Falmouth.

GLC06451.057

1863/02/16

Miller, James, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Wilmor W. Morris.

Miller says if he could obtain a furlough for twenty days, he would be willing to "support old Abe in his war policy even to the freeing of the niggers." He tells Wilmor that he could "do almost any of the girls justice" including "my Mary as you called her" were he at home. Miller cautions Wilmor that it is "nearly all republicans" who are down on McClellan and "the best reason they can give is because he is a democrat." He believes McClellan was removed "because he was slow in his movements."

GLC06451.058

1863/03/21

Pedan, Samuel L., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Wilmor W. Morris.

Lieutenant Pedan is glad to hear that a mutual friend, probably one of Wilmor's brothers [John?], is safe at home and wishes them both well.

GLC06451.060

1863/04/15

McAtee, James, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Sir" [Wilmor Morris?]

McAtee's company is packed with eight days worth of rations to leave soon, he thinks for Harpers Ferry but he is uncertain. He sends news of a friend, Bitner, and hopes to be paid soon though it seems unlikely. Written at Camp Blair

GLC06451.061

1863/04/17

Miller, James, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Wilmor W. Morris.

Miller's company is packed up and expects to move any time now but he is not sure of their destination. He suspects that Wilmor has fallen for the "the tender looks and pleasant actions of that blue eyed lass with the curls who lives in Wilkinsburgh." Miller asserts that he is ready to keep on fighting for the "the rebs have got to knock under if it takes all the men and money in the north to do it with."

GLC06451.062

1863/02/06

Bates, Henry, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Dear Friend."

Bates wonders how his friend is doing. He has been working in a "wollen" factory for about three months. He reports that "there is great excitement here on the soil question."

GLC06451.066