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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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9 January 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He had diarrhea but drank some gum tree bark and is feeling better now. They caught some freshwater lobsters. There is a rumor that Vicksburg was taken by their forces but no one really believes it. He shot his gun on a Sunday and feels guilty about it.

GLC02751.18

January 24, 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister

They are east of Baton Rouge now. They've found a lot of sugar and molasses where they are. There are inspections every day. He saw Frank Leslie's Illustrated paper in which there was a sketch of them driving the rebels out of Baton Rouge.

GLC02751.19

February 1, 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister

He heard a good sermon from the chaplain about a soldier who recently died. In other news he is on fatigue duty so he is spared inspection. His tent mate is sick.

GLC02751.20

February 4, 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

When they first landed, they scared 300 rebels and Frank Leslie's paper shows a good illustration of them driving the rebels out. The city of Baton Rouge is pretty much destroyed. He hopes they capture Vicksburg.

GLC02751.21

9 February 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Elmira

Lately they have been living good. The rations are more than enough. The cook house was recently inspected. The Colonel got sick and was taken to the hospital.

GLC02751.22

10 February 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister

There has been some fighting. Deals have been attempted. There was a proposal in which they said they'd give them the rest of the state if they gave them back all their enslaved people. It is rumored that the water where they are is poisoned since people have been getting sick from it.

GLC02751.23

6 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

He contracts the measles and is taken to the hospital. Some of the men have died from the measles. But he is sure he will get better.

GLC02751.24

12 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

He tells her how he contracted measles. His friend Newell also has the measles so they have been keeping each other company. George came to visit.

GLC02751.25

15 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to D.L. Platts

He informs him that Newell has died. Sereno spoke to him on his deathbed where he said his sickness was a providence of god.

GLC02751.26

20 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

Gunboats and troops are now operating against Port Hudson. Everyday he is gaining strength but his blood is now out of order and he caught lice while in the hospital. He refers to Newell as one of his best earthly friends.

GLC02751.27

23 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

Several gunboats managed to pass up by the rebel batteries and will eventually cut off their supplies. They haven't been paid yet but he keeps hoping they will soon. Watrons has been promoted to 2nd Lt.

GLC02751.28

25 March 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

There has been a movement of the army. They cut off supplies to the rebel batteries as they intended. They are under marching orders but may not go anywhere for a week or so. He talks about the cost of food. He has had to sell his pistol just to buy food.

GLC02751.29

15 April 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

They got on a boat going away from Baton Rouge. He is sick of the war. The possibility that it might end soon are getting bleaker. He has no money to spend on good food.

GLC02751.30

1 May 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

They have had a very successful expedition, driving the rebels back and capturing a great many prisoners. The food has improved greatly and they are doing their own cooking. He doesn't know when they will be paid so he asks for money.

GLC02751.31

4 May 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

He thanks her for the medicine she sent to ease his diarrhea. He comments on the expedition Gen. Banks has been leading from Berwich Bay as one of the most successful of the war. He describes the Rebel prisoners.

GLC02751.32

17 May 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

He has been taking the medication that Rosetta sent and he thinks they have cured his diarrhea. He mentions Newell's death again. He also talks about the food he has been eating lately.

GLC02751.33

23 May 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

He tells the story of how the Lousiana Belle was fired into by a guerilla band. The pilot had to leave the pilot house because it became too hot. Then the captain ordered the negroes to push the boat ashore.

GLC02751.34

26 May 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Sister Elmira

Clark joined the regiment and shortly afterwards became ill and was taken to the hospital. He went to visit him and when he got back he found George Platts waiting for him. He is glad he now has a friend to keep him company.

GLC02751.35

22 June 1863

Wright, Sereno A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Rosetta

He got sick again and was taken to the hospital where he lost his mind for a while. He kept thinking he was at home or on his way there and would get out of bed to leave and then the nurse would put him back into bed again. Surprisingly, he got well. Clark is getting better and comes to visit him. Three sheets of varying sizes. Written at the Marine Hospital.

GLC02751.36

5 July 1863

Wright, J. Clark, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Clark writes to his wife about the death of Serano. He appeared to recover for a while but was then taken ill again and after a night of suffering, died.

GLC02751.37

15 June 1863

Wright, J. Clark, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

He has recovered enough strength to write. Everyone had to be moved because it was deemed unsafe to stay where they are. Serano is very weak and he asked to be detailed to take care of him. To help with the move he gave Serano some whiskey. They were transported in ambulance wagons.

GLC02751.38