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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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16 December 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They are now in the capital of Dakotah Territoty. He received a letter from E.M.S who says he is expecting a battle every day. The officers are sending for their wives.

GLC02831.12

19 December 1863

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He has no desire to go home because if he was there it would be very hard to leave again. He takes care of the captain's horse for an extra 5 dollars a month. Lately they have great food.

GLC02831.13

11 January 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He is well except for a bad cold. It is very cold in the house. He wonders why he does not get Leslie's Illustrated papers anymore.

GLC02831.14

24 January 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They moved again and are about 50 miles above Yankton. There is not much to do there. He is sending her some money.

GLC02831.15

12 February 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He asks Louisa ro write to him because he wishes to have more correspondents. They have to haul their own hay and water. A mutual acquaintance started home and he expects him to see his mother while he is there.

GLC02831.16

20 February 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He suggests she give things to Brad Ladow who is on furlough to give to him. There is a lot of sickness around Toledo. He has gotten taller since she saw him last.

GLC02831.17

7 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He is very well and getting very fat. He got all the things she sent via Judd Sanborn. He talks about the money they're allowed for clothing.

GLC02831.18

10 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He is getting very tall. He has also been growing homesick. There was a snowstorm.

GLC02831.19

10 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He thinks his mother should keep N. at school because it's better for him to have a good education than to work. A furlough is completely out of the question right now.

GLC02831.20

18 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They've been told they'll get 20 dollars a month now. But he is not sure if he believes it. The officers will get a pay cut so there is not such a big discrepancy between the privates' pay and the officers' pay.

GLC02831.21

25 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He is hearty and healthy so soldiering agrees with him. He will reenlist for 3 more years so that he can draw his bounty.

GLC02831.22

27 March 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

It looks like they are headed south this spring. There was a bad winter storm after they had some of the nicest weather for the past month or so.

GLC02831.23

1 April 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He notes she must be lonely now that Jane has left. He sends out so many letters that he is completely out of stamps. The papers have been coming regularly.

GLC02831.24

3 April 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He has been enjoying the papers he receives. He is trying to grow a mustache and beard. He plans to send her a gold pen for which the holder is broken.

GLC02831.25

24 April 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

The weather is wonderful. He complains about his old horse and says he is a poor boy. He imagines he will make his fortune one day.

GLC02831.26

25 April 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He mistakenly received a letter meant for his Aunt Betty. He is glad she received the money he sent even if a letter he wrote got lost in the mail.

GLC02831.27

2 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He got a letter from Ed who had the small pox and neuralgia. He thinks Gustus Fredding should send his money to his stepmother so that she can buy land for him.

GLC02831.28

4 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

His mother doesn't want him to correspond with a particular girl but he is thinking to write her a letter just for spite.

GLC02831.29

19 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He complains about the mail and wishes it would run more regularly. He mentions Norton and Museatine.

GLC02831.30

19 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Hattie

He asks about Ed. They are having great weather.

GLC02831.31

20 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He gives her permission to use all the money he sends for Hattie's education.He hopes the war will end before he reenlists. Reading letters puts him in a good mood.

GLC02831.32

24 May 1864

Alden, William H., 1844-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

They saw a few Indians which quickly dispersed. They rode and rode but they couldn't find any more Indians though they saw signs. Everything is beginning to look green again.

GLC02831.33