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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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Displaying results for Topic "Infrastructure"

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8 September 1863

Parrott, John A., fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

father [C. Parrott] John has been back "in Dixey" for about a week. They are guarding a pontoon bridge and he explains what one is to his father. "Boats are anchored in the River and stringers placed from one boat to another and covered with plank[s]." His regiment has only one year left to serve and he hopes "the war will be over by that time." He relates how popular he and Henry are in Illinois and describes the parties the townspeople had for his wedding. He plans to settle in Sterling, Illinois and start a business.

GLC03858.01.19

3 May 1863

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: While camped near Murfreesboro in the months following the Battle of Stones Creek, Cranor describes how the Union soldiers have generally been causing trouble for the Confederates. He writes about Union "devilment" in McMinnville that resulted in the capture of 356 Confederate prisoners and the recapture of 15 Union men as well as the burning of houses, bridges, trains and a cotton factory, and the taking of meat and corn. He also briefly mentions some of the displaced families of the south. The troops took in several under Rosecrans demand that they make and oath of loyalty to the…

GLC03791.006

8 March 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Reports that washed out bridges have resulted in no mail delivery for a week. He writes that lack of news has made him "tired and lonesome." After the arrival of the postmaster he closes his letter and reopens it the next day, where he mentions a telegraph dispatch reporting General Sheridan's capture of Confederate General Erling [Early]. He is afraid it is "all most too good to be true."

GLC03791.024

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [carte de visite, Portage Bridge]

White mount. Printed caption on recto: "Portage Bridge." Ink inscription on recto: "234 ft. high, 800 ft. long." Illegible notes on verso in blue pencil. View of a bridge with a locomotive crossing the top. Photo from engraving.

GLC00919.24.51

February 26, 1779

Ashe, John, Sr., 1721-1781

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Brigadier General Ashe to Major General Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Says nothing extraordinary has happened. Reports that Colonel Lythe's light infantry advanced to take possession of the pass at the lower bridge and that he hopes to join him there soon. Said party that was sent after the field piece he mentioned in his previous letter to Lincoln returned in the evening. Says General Elbert came upon a wagon that was overset and that they found a "cohorn" (a small mortar) and several chests, but left them behind because it was not convenient to bring them…

GLC02497.02

ca. 1860-1870

Alberger, William C., 1837-1925

Scrapbook

Title: [Loose Page from Scrapbook of William C. Alberger]

Page contains: Unknown. Map: s. l., Topographical map of Virginia between Washington and Manassas Junction. No date. 1 p. Includes an image of Washington, D. C., with the capital building in the foreground. Depicts Virginia and the western corner of Maryland, including United States encampments, roads, rail lines, rivers, and other topographical features. A smaller image consists of a military map of Virginia and parts of Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, and Delaware. The military map includes some topographical features and notes where battles took place. (27.5 x 20 cm.) Kenyon, D.…

GLC06628.03

15 April 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Postcard

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Postcard of Brooklyn Bridge.

GLC09414.0237

7 March 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Postcard

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Postcard of a Manhattan bridge.

GLC09414.0193

2 September 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He heard a bridge blow up as well as a goverment factory. He describes the country side. Last page written over.

GLC07705.097

February 22, 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He embarked on board a gun boat named Commodore Barney whose sole mission was to burn down a railroad bridge. Hedescribes a somewhat eventful journey and encampment. Written aboard the steamer "Virginia".

GLC07705.047

1929-1945

Postcard

Title: 4 postcards of landmarks in Washington State

four postcards that include Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens, Columbia River and the Grand Coulee Dam

GLC09414.1606

25 November 1913

Sherman, Lawrence, fl. 1913

Typed letter signed

Title: to Horatio L. Wait

He has received Wait's letter that expresses opposition to the legislation which will permit the use of Hetch Valley as a part of San Francisco's water supply system.

GLC08284.054

6 August 1858

Autograph document signed

Title: To the Inhabitants of North Bridgewater

The railroad company disputes the laying out of a new road and has gone to the supreme court to challenge the validity of the action.

GLC02198.48

11 September 1862

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother

Is healthy and hopes he is too. Camped two miles from the city of Baltimore "on a little hill." There is a large railroad bridge that they have been guarding. Sent some letters and is wondering whether or not he has received them yet. The guards caught a rebel. Asks to be sent 50 cents worth of postage stamps to use. No year listed, based on content and location of regiment.

GLC08914.001

17 April 1863

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister

Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his knapsack with him. Cooks have received orders to cool extra rations for them to bring on the march. Is not afraid of death, and "if I get shot then I die in a good cause, but I don't think that gun even was made to shoot me." One of the guards shot a Rebel earlier in the week. He approached the camp, was ordered to stop, did not, and was shot. The…

GLC08914.020

27 November 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hank

A continuation of the previous letter. Writes that he marched to Chickamauga Creek the day before and spotted rebels burning bridges and their own baggage. Reports that the men have taken 80 pieces of rebel artillery and estimates that they will have 15,000 rebel prisoners. Writes that the envelope and paper are of Confederate style, the envelope being made of wallpaper.

GLC06728.060

1 March 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Reports that Longstreet has left the vicinity of Knoxville and is likely headed towards Georgia. Writes that there is considerable sickness at camp caused by "sick wheat flour". Believes that the bridge crossing will be finished by the middle of the month. Hopes to be paid soon upon which he will try to send some money home.

GLC06728.066

3 April 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he has been ill with mumps but has almost fully recovered. Reports that the railroad from Knoxville to Chattanooga is complete. Also reports that Major General Howard is commanding the 4th corps. instead of [General Robert Granger]. In addition, Brig. General Wagner is commanding the division instead of "Little Phil" Sheridan who has left for the Potomac to command a cavalry force. Also, General George Stoneman is organizing a cavalry command in the department of the Ohio. Asks that he be informed about any troops returning home on furlough. Inquires about the price of gold.

GLC06728.067