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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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2 January 1891

Hartsuff, Arthur, fl. 1870-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "my darling wife and baby"

re: Hartsuff tells his wife and daughter about the conditions in his field hospital built from nothing and now housing fifty men comfortably. Claims that most of what is in the newspapers is true, but he can add nothing to the accounts because he knows nothing else. Written at the Pine Ridge Indian Agency

GLC05201.021

12 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Explains that Estelle's birthday present may be somewhat modest due to lack of funds and a shortage of gifts that can be purchased on the army base. Describes a training film and lecture that he had received regarding the ways in which international law dictates how a soldier should behave when captured. States that had undergone an inspection on Saturday. Then describes a film that the company had watched related to reconnaissance, patrol and scouting at night. Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.034

12 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Describes a seven mile hike that his platoon had completed before supper. Discusses the process of "blood typing" that the army carries out, stamping each soldier's blood type onto his identification tag, enabling hasty blood transfusions should the need arise. Describes the effects of the chemical phosgene. Mentions a discussion that had arisen that morning regarding gas-proof chambers, and that he is being considered as possible officer training material Written at Edgewood Arsenal Received June 12 1942

GLC09120.035

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Writes that he has enclosed ten very hard-earned dollars with the letter. Describes the ways in which he intends to save money. Outlines the day's schedule - a session on how to administer First Aid to gas attack victims, a lecture and film on map-reading and map-making, a drill in the afternoon and then another session with the rifle. Mentions that he refused to participate in a discussion on the "negro situation" as he believes that some people are simply born prejudiced.Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.036

17 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Informs Estelle that he is about to go on guard duty which lasts for a full 24 hours. Also discusses a class that he has just had on the use of portable chemical cylinders.Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.037

17 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Allays Estelle's fears regarding the use of mustard and lewisite gases in the war effort. Letter written while Sidney is on guard duty, and he mentions that an important feature of this job is keeping the white soldiers out of the "Negro" section. Recalls an incident that occurred at Fort Dix when armed black malcontents were shot at by white M.P.s. Discusses the racial tension that exists in the segregated army. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.038

17 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Discusses the use of mustard and lewisite gas in the war. Promises Estelle that he will return, and upon his return will take her as his wife. Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.039

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Letter written while Diamond is on guard duty. Discusses differences between the treatment of black and white soldiers. Diamond mentions that he is being trained as a communications and staff man, and what this role will entail. He also outlines what he believes the war is about, and states that some important questions will need to be answered upon its conclusion. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.

GLC09120.040

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that the training camp that he is in is the only Chemical Warfare training center in the country Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.041

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Responds to a series of comments that Estelle had raised in a previous letter. Speaks about a "friend" of Sidney's who has attempted to date Estelle. Also discusses another friend who did not enlist and managed to acquire $2000 somehow. Instructs Estelle to respond to any of her mother's questions regarding the war vaguely. Discusses his hopes of being made an officer, and how advantageous it would be for them financially. Describes loneliness of life of a soldier. Outlines the day's events, which included a lecture on military discipline, one on different gases, two sessions on…

GLC09120.042

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Apologizes for brevity of letter, explaining that he has spent the evening with Joe, Percy Hamburger and Julie Zimmerman reminiscing old times.

GLC09120.043

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Writes of the implications of having been charged to a chemical weapons company; instead of being shipped as a unit, they will all be assigned to different parts of the service - infantry, field artillery etc. Mentions some of the rules that he has received concerning guard duty, and a session that he participated in regarding the handling of rifles. Informs Stella that he spends most of his free time studying gases.

GLC09120.044

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Writes that he is suffering from the "empty week-end blues". Sidney puts this down to a visit from his parents, which was accompanied by constant references to home and Estelle.

GLC09120.045

1866

Chipman, Hosmer & Company, fl. 1866

Pamphlet

Title: [pamphlet of laws and information relating to claims against the government of the United States]

GLC02750.273

1866

Chipman, Hosmer & Company, fl. 1866

Printed document

Title: [Special circular regarding former soldiers' claims against the United States government]

GLC02750.274

13 September 1863

Kelley, Benjamin Franklin, 1807-1891

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

"Notice of reversal of part of Genl Schenks order may be given to the most prominent of those interested by special order as you may deem best…"

GLC02414.232

23 September 1863

Whaley, K.V., fl. 1863

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

GLC02414.233

15 September 1863

Whaley, K.V., fl. 1863

Telegram signed

Title: to Eliakim P. Scammon

GLC02414.234

1863

White, Carr Bailey, 1823-1871

Telegram signed

Title: to James L. Botsford

"…cavalry scout just came in - Scouted the Roads leading out from Raleigh…discovered no Enemy or heard of the movements of troops - Met Flag truce four officers as escort at Raleigh with letter to Genl Scammon from Head Quarters…"

GLC02414.235