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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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circa 1850

Broadside

Title: I still live

Oblong sheet of white paper containing the words "I Still Live. Daniel Webster."

GLC07204

1861-1864 ca.

Header Record

Title: Civil War collection of 98 letters re: Ft. Wagner, Gettysburg, Charleston [Decimalized .01- .103]

Includes Jackson, Miss., also mentions "Gorilla Bands"

GLC07205

1865/05/12

Pyne, Charles B. fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: Lincoln's assassination and tracking Booth

"I liked Mr. Lincoln much and I look upon his assassination with horror and indignation. I followed the assassin 4 days, and had I come across him I would have shot him like a dog."

GLC07206

1864 ca.

Broadside

Title: Philad'a Legion! Col. Thomas B. Florence [recruitment broadside]

Large recruitment broadside for Philadelphia Legion regiment printed in blue and red ink, in large type. At center is a large wood engraving printed in red of a soldier charging with fixed bayonet. "Wanted, steady Able-bodied Men for the Philadelphia Legion Regiment. [rule] Don't wait to be drafted..." Printed by King & Baird. Some tears touching the text.

GLC07207

1862/08/04

Broadside

Title: Attention! Young Men of Belmont District [recruitment broadside]

Civil War recruitment broadside for a volunteer company before the draft goes into effect. Large black and white wood engraving at center showing workmen and farmers rallying around the flag, while a scroll above them reads "No Bounty / When Drafted." Printed by Baird and King.

GLC07208

circa 1864

Ringwalt & Brown, fl. 1863-1865

Broadside

Title: Attention Troopers! To Horse! To Horse!

Civil War recruitment broadside. Col. E. G. Chormann's Independent Mounted Rangers. Recruiting "A regiment armed like the Regular Cavalry, with Sharp's Carbine, Colt's Revolver and Sabre." Notes bounty for Philadelphia, state and U.S. Printed in green and red ink by Ringwalt & Brown. Losses at corners affecting text noticeably at lower left. Tape stains.

GLC07209

1862 ca.

Broadside

Title: Regiment Ordered South! National Guards [recruitment broadside]

Large oblong recruitment broadside, printed with red and blue inks in a circular design. Regiment of Col. P. Lyle, Race Street below Sixth.

GLC07210

circa 1847

Broadside

Title: Friends of the Country, Irrespective of Party!

Mexican War recruitment poster from Massachusetts defending the war and attacking Governor Briggs. Variety of articles supporting the Massachusetts volunteers and denouncing the governor's anti-war sentiments. Lower left corner missing.

GLC07211

1862/12/17

Broadside

Title: A Desirable Farm containing 975 Acres and Six Negroes for Sale... [slaves]

Sale for this date for the estate of Alexander and Martha T. Fraser, 30 miles from Petersburg. "Any one having a large number of negroes, which they desire to place beyond the reach of the enemy, would do well to purchase this plantation." Loss at top left corner, affecting "F" in "Farm," and some loss of text at fold on bottom third of sheet.

GLC07212

1862/09/08

Johnson, Badley T., 1829-1903

Broadside

Title: to unknown re: troop recruitment

"To the people of Maryland! After sixteen months of oppression more galling than the Austrian tyranny, the victorious army of the south brings freedom to your doors..."

GLC07213

1861/11/10

McLaws, Lafayette, 1821-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his fiance re: love letter

"Your very charming letter was received about two years since-it seems that long since I heard from you."

GLC07214

1863/03/03

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Letter signed

Title: to N. B. Baker re: clarifying the President's draft order

"The President has not at any time issued a proclamation calling for 300,000 men..." An order was to be given, but no official copy was recieved. Annotation in another hand on verso.

GLC07226

1909/02/12

Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915

Typed document

Title: Speech draft re: influence of Lincoln, given at New York Republican Club of NYC

Original draft of speech: "I was born a slave...my first recollection of Abraham Lincoln was...by the prayers of my mother...as she was kneeling over my body earnestly praying that Abraham Lincoln might succeed and that one day she and her boy might be free"; with autograph corrections.

GLC07232

1864/05/04

Marshall, Charles, 1830-1902

Autograph note signed

Title: to Charles Marshall re: Troops movement in Chancellorville; Burnside

"Gen Lee has been directed to make the enemy develope his forces & acertain whether there is any infantry with him. The Gen is just leaving by the old turnpike." Written on receiver's copy of Fitzhugh Lee telegram. Written in pencil on verso.

GLC07223

1862/05/29

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife re: McClellan, McDowell, Butler's New Orleans Proclamation

"Oh that some hearty hand will plant a dagger deep in his...black heart"; "Both the army & people have confidence in our ability to whip the Yankees off & save Richmond...I would rather die, if die I must, on the battlefield, fighting for the liberties of my country and disunion with the Yankees"

GLC07224

1863/07/10

Oden, Mary, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emily J. Semmes re: death of Gen. Paul Semmes (to his widow)

Written from his deathbed nurse, on the day he died with postscript: "A few moments before the General died, he asked for his sword, laying it across his arm, he asked again for his testament." Page 5 is a smaller, additional sheet.

GLC07225

1862/07/21

Grant, William F., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Grant re: soldiers' reasons for enlistment

from Union soldier in Company D, 100th Pa.: "Soldiers say they never enlisted to fight for the freedom of the slaves and if they make this a war to eradicate slavery they will throw down their arms contrabands...I would drive them all into the sea and drown them." To his father. With patriotic envelope.

GLC07227

1865/04/14

Nichols, Henry, fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Alfred Nichols re: fall of Richmond, nature of his troops

Written from soldier in 73rd U.S. Colored Infantry to brother, Captain in 4th Vermont. With envelope.

GLC07228

1856/12/10

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother and sister Adair re: concern for his son Owen

Written while on the run from authorities after Pottawatomie massacre: "Owen (my son) is I trust somewhere on the way from Iowa; but I have a good deal of anxiety about him, as I learn that I was hotly pursued even in Iowa. I can only say that God has miraculously preserved and spared us." Docketed.

GLC07229

2 December 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Autograph quotation signed

Title: to Aaron D. Stevens

Written on the day Brown was hanged from Charlestown Prison, Virginia, present day West Virginia. Writes in full, "He that is slow to anger; is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, that he, that taketh a city" Solomon."; with Stevens autograph endorsement "This was given me an hour or two before he was executed. A.D.S."

GLC07230.01

circa 1859

Brown, John, 1800-1859

Poem

Title: [We are going Home]

"We are going home and soon shall be / Where the sky is clear and all are free..." Written in pencil. (Enclosure with 7230.01)

GLC07230.02

1851-1860

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Header Record

Title: to his brother and sisters [Decimalized .01- .13]

Group of 13 autograph letters signed of John Brown's associate about abolitionist activities in KA, IA, NM, and Charlestown. Written from various locations, including Charlestown jail awaiting execution for his participation in Harper's Ferry uprising. With envelopes.

GLC07231