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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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Year

Sub-era

1871

Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942

Photograph

Title: The Lower Can[y]on

Yellowstone Series, 1871. Negative number 206.

GLC03095.14

September 1864

Withers, John, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pierre Beauregard

From the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond. Relaying order of President Jefferson Davis and the Secretary of War commuting the death sentence against David H. Holmes, company G, 10th Regiment N. C. T., to hard labor.

GLC03068

1861

Hardee, William J., 1815-1873

Book

Title: Rifle and Infantry Tactics, Revised and Improved

Written by Confederate Brigadier General Hardee. Fifth Edition copy of volume 1 (first published in 1855). Printed in the "First Year of the Confederacy" by S.H. Goetzel & Co. This book was the standard instructional manual for the U.S. Army when it was first written and became the most widely used manual during the Civil War by both sides. Provides information on how to run a company, battalion and regiment as well as how to train individual solders. Signed 14 times by Captain William H. Wilkinson. First time in pencil says "W. H. Wilkinson Co G 2nd Tenn Regt." at front of book. Also…

GLC03071

1869

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Book signed

Title: The miscellaneous works of William Hazlitt. Vol I.

Signed by Mosby, also signed by Eppa Hunton. Mosby's signature is partly crossed out. The book is a collection of essays written by Hazlitt. Mosby sold his Warrenton, Virginia Library when appointed United States Consul to Hong Kong in 1878; General Hunton purchased it.

GLC03072

3 April 1863

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William N. Pendleton and Anzolette Pendleton

Notes that General Lee is expecting battle soon, and talks about the strength of Confederate forces. Also mentions his hopes for a Democratic victory in the north. to his parents, Thanks them for enclosing a note from his fiancee, Kate Corbin. The Western Governors have been on to see their states troops and exhort them to one last effort, as they say, here which must end the war. Genl. Lee looks for it to come any day now." Hopes war may end soon.

GLC03075.01

28 April 1863

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary N. Pendleton

To his sister, discussing family and military matters. Says of the fighting "We hardly know what to expect here. They say at Genl. Lee's that Hooker intends to cross, that the small part which landed at Port Royal on Friday was his advance guard, but the rain prevented him. I do wish he would come, as we can surely drub him." Sends her money to buy a new dress with, and discusses other family affairs.

GLC03075.02

10 November 1863

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rose P. Pendleton

Discusses recent engagements in northern Virginia between 9 October and 8 November, expresses his anger at recent Confederate loses, for which he feels "disgraced." Of Stonewall Jackson says "Oh, how each day is proving the inestimable value of Gen Jackson to us." Also speaks of plans to meet his sister and fiancee, Kate Corbin, in Gordonsville.

GLC03075.03

3 December 1863

Pendleton, Alexander S., 1840-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anzolette Pendleton

Writes to his mother discussing military matters. Speaks about General Lee's success in checking Union General Meade's planned offensive in northern Virginia, relates widespread Union destruction of Southern property, and notes that he and most others believe that General Early is a better commander than General Ewell. Also discusses his new clothing. Partially cross-written on page one.

GLC03075.04

5 September 1863

Lawton, Alexander Robert, 1818-1896

Letter signed

Title: to William Bacon

Written on Confederate Quartermaster General's letterhead and signed by Quartermaster General Lawton. Written to Major Bacon as Quartermaster of Atlanta. Reports that he has received a communication from Lieutenant D.P. McCorkle of the Confederate Navy in which he requests transportation for naval stores passing through Atlanta. McCorkle also wants forage to be issued for some of the animals present. Wants Bacon to comply and "extend all facilities at your command" to see it gets done. Says since it is not part of the duties of the Quartermaster's department to provide transportation for the…

GLC03076

6 July 1863

Campbell, John A. (John Allen), 1835-1880

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Beverly Wellford

Campbell, the Confederate Assistant Secretary of War, asks Wellford for information on John Carfoot, a prisoner discharged 3 January 1863. Gives the reason for the inquiry: "The British Consul has demanded satisfaction on account of his desertion & the evidence against him should be collected." Written on Confederate War Department stationery.

GLC03077

8 May 1863

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Manuscript document

Title: to Ambrose Powell Hill

Pendleton signs as Assistant Adjutant General, marking the document official. Contains the clerical signatures of General Robert E. Lee and John Archibald Campbell, Confederate Assistant Secretary of War. Pendleton informs Hill "Your letter of March 11th/63 was forwarded to the A & I Genl Richmond with the following remarks, a copy of which was sent to your at the time." Includes the statement (which accompanied Hill's letter to the Adjutant and Inspector General, Samuel Cooper). The statement, possibly issued by Lee, asserts: "My opinion is that my Chiefs of Staff in executing my…

GLC03080

12 November 1861

Johnston, Joseph Egleston, 1807-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Says he "will not object to any enterprise" of the recipients, so long as it is based on solid knowledge of the enemy. As long as a move is based on "precise information" he will approve it and support an offensive action. Also asks a question about the enemy's position. Written to an unknown "General."

GLC03082

1813/07/23

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Dev[ereux] DeLacy re: inland navigation, defending Chesapeake Bay

Incomplete. Lined verso. The third line up from the end lacks the line "power. There is a proposition now pending in Congress for an amendment" supplied by the polygraph copy at the Library of Congress. De Lacy came from Charleston, S.C. Most of Jefferson's letter concerns the possibility of stationing warships at Lynnhaven ("Lynhaven") Bay at the mouth of the Chesapeake. Jefferson says that he suggested a canal between Lynhaven River to East River, to allow communication between the Chesapeake and its inner waters near Norfolk. (President Madison rejected the suggestion.) Jefferson…

GLC03084

February 21, 1846

Cheatham, Henry, fl. 1846 Cheatham, Henry, fl. 1846

Broadside

Title: Assignee's sale

Broadside announcing sale of "real and personal property," including enslaved people, from the estate of William R. Robertson. Lists 600 acres of land in the town of Union, Missouri, 19 or 20 enslaved people, farming utensils, horses, cattle, and hogs. States the enslaved people consist of "...men, women, girls, and boys, comprising several good house and farm servants, and some good weavers." Cheatham is the assignee.

GLC03085

January 15, 1861

Curtin, Andrew Gregg, 1815-1894

Broadside

Title: Daily telegraph --- extra. Inaugural address of Gov. Andrew G. Curtin

Broadside of inaugural address of newly-elected Pennsylvania Governor Curtin, who would serve through the Civil War. Top of the broadside says "Daily Telegraph --- Extra," which is probably a reference to the "Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph," based out of Harrisburg. Begins as a feel-good speech, which says he will fulfill his duties to the utmost of his abilities. Wants to maintain good economic management and keep paying off the state debt. Becomes more relevant when he references the growing secession crisis and says "No one who knows the history of Pennsylvania and understands the opinions…

GLC03086

circa 20 April 1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: [General Robert E. Lee and staff]

Image showing General Robert E. Lee and two members of his staff. The staff members are identified as possibly Lee's son G.W. Custis Lee (on his right) and Aide Col. Walter H. Taylor (on his left). Brady photographed Lee after his return from Appomattox to his home in Richmond, April 1865. (Other copies: GLC00957 and GLC00579.)

GLC03088

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Header Record

Title: Charleston, S. C. prints [photographs showing destruction]

GLC03089

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Charleston, South Carolina 1865.

One photograph entitled, "Charleston, South Carolina, 1865" taken by Mathew Brady. Image shows the interior of Fort Sumter prior to the ceremony for the fourth anniversary of its bombardment.

GLC03089.01

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Charleston, South Carolina. 1865.

One photograph entitled, "Charleston, South Carolina. 1865" taken by Mathew Brady. Image shows Union troops lounging on the front steps of Charleston City Hall. The building appears to have suffered minor damage.

GLC03089.02

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Charleston, South Carolina. 1865.

One photograph entitled, "Charleston, South Carolina. 1865" taken by Mathew Brady. Image is of Roper's Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. The long, three story building, stands in the background. The foreground are high wooden fences with piles of debris. During the war, the hospital aided Confederate soldiers and served as a prison for Union troops.

GLC03089.03

1865

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Charleston, South Carolina. 1865.

One photograph entitled, "Charleston, South Carolina," taken by Mathew Brady dated 1865. Image is of an unidentified street scene showing storefronts with stripped awnings. The sidewalk and small parts of the buildings are in disrepair. A man sits in front of one of the stores while two men on a small carriage pass by.

GLC03089.04