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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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January 31, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

A family gathering and the testing of new lamps at church. Also mentions Gen. Lander's retreat from Romney.

GLC07687.121

February 3, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Surprise visit from Uncle Charles Campbell, who had been seeing a sick soldier at Louisville. Dick Donnell has returned home, and reports "a vast amount of sickness among out troops." Donnell had met with a "reliable Gentleman, who assured him that the forward movement will not take place for two months to come." Vannuys laments "Can it be? Are our Sons, Brothers, Fathers to lie and rot with diseas[e] in our camps for two months? Can it be? Can it be?"

GLC07687.122

February 11, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Report of "a great amount of sickness in [Vannuys's] division," news that Gen. Lander is once again occupying Romney, and implications of the Union victory at Fort Henry, Tenn. Vannuys hopes in the wake of McClelland's appointment as Commander of the Army of the Potomac that Edwin Stanton will assume control of the Army, though he acknowledges "it is folly to put confidence in man." He advises his son to make immediate arrangements for the transport of his body home, in case he should die in battle or of disease.

GLC07687.123

February 16, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

News of Gen. Burnsides's capture of Roanoke Island and rumors of Union capture of Fort Donnelson. Describes recruiting efforts for the Mississippi Fleet, and strong sympathy for the Northern cause.

GLC07687.124

February 22, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

The weekly prayer meeting, confirmed victory at Fort Donnelson, preparations for the making of sugar and molasses at home, and unfavorable prices for farmers. Also describes a chance meeting with Squire Hendries, who was awaiting a dispatch from Cumberland regarding the condition of his son Abner. Abner's death was later confirmed.

GLC07687.125

February 27, 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Describes the scene at home while he writes, including little Molly's current illness. Discusses the wedding of Kinney and Will LeGrange, work in the wheat field, and Molly's recovery.

GLC07687.126

4 March 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Health of family members and successful recruiting efforts in the area.

GLC07687.127

14 March 1862

Van Nuys, John H., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

General news of home (health, family, weather, crops, etc.) Describes "a great battle in Arkansas" (Pea Ridge?), which involved the 18th Regiment. "It was a glorious victory. I suppose the infernal McCulla [Benjamin McCulloch] is dead at last." Describes Gen. Siegel's actions in the battle. Forty men from the 8th Ind. Regiment were killed, as was John A. Hendricks of the 22nd Indiana Regiment. Debates the implications of the rebel loss at Manassas against the strategy of the Union generals. One enclosed clipping, entitled "The Soldier's Trust," concerns the value of religious faith for…

GLC07687.128

9 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Left camp and fought for four days. Took the South Side Railroad, Petersburg, and Richmond. Headed for Lynchburg, and marched 5 days straight. Formed a battle line and marched into battle again. This time, "when our army cam in sight old general Lee surrendered." "The rebellion is done." Thinks that he will be home in 2 or 3 months if not earlier. Will be home very soon. Saw [Nucum] Pierce today. "The rebels lay in plain sight of us. We lay up on a hill and they lay in the [howles]. Has stopped marching. Countryside is very nice; "every place is covered with peach trees and they are in full…

GLC09273.39

16 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Gives a summary of recent events, including the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the pursuit of Lee to Appomattox, and the end of the war. Have been marching back east and north since then; thinks he is headed for Petersburg. Has received seven letters in the past day. If she thinks they should keep both pigs, then they can keep both. Wants to know how much money she has received from him. Feet are sore from marching. If he goes to Petersburg, he will have a chance to write more. Tells her to "have some potatoes planted and do with everything as you think best." Hopes he will be able to come…

GLC09273.40

18 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Leg is "a little lame" from marching so much. Rest of the men are healthy. Headed for Burkeville but stopped about five miles away on the Danville railroad. Some think they are headed for Petersburg. "I don't think that we will have to fight anymore." Will be home in at most 4 ½ months. Asks her to keep good courage for just a bit longer. She should keep both pigs, because they will definitely be needed next fall. She should make sure to have some corn and potatoes planted "for we will want them next fall." She should also plant some buckwheat. Tells her to tell Betsey that he will answer her…

GLC09273.41

23 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Everyone is healthy, but tired from all the marching. Legs feel "lame." Stopped 18 miles from Petersburg on the railroad. Going to guard the railroad, but is not sure how long he will be doing that for. "We may stay here two weeks and we may not stay here two days." Many think they will be discharged before their time is out. Thinks they will "come out alright." Only his regiment stopped here; "the rest of our corps is all along the railroad." The war is over in Virginia. Would like to buy a team of animals (presumably oxen). Since he has cooked for the captain, he has not touched a gun.…

GLC09273.42

1 June 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Has arrived at the barracks in Elmira where he originally enlisted in the Union army. Arrived at about sunrise. Was mustered out about half an hour after he wrote her a letter on May 29 (#48). Started on his way to Elmira that same night. Does not know how soon he will be discharged but "they will do it as soon as they can." Will be home before long. Hopes to get discharged this week. Until then, she must keep good courage. "I remain your dear husband until death."

GLC09273.50

1861-1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Envelope

Title: [envelope addressed to Eleanor Hammond]

Envelopes addressed to Mrs. Eleanor Hammond, Wallace, Steuben County, New York

GLC09273.51

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [View of Part of Chattanooga]

GLC07000.30

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [View of Part of Chattanooga]

GLC07000.31

March 1864

Photograph

Title: [View of parapet of Fort Sanders]

Looking southeast, University of Tennessee in background.

GLC07000.32

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [View of Chatanooga Valley from Lookout Mountain, et al.]

View of Chattanooga Valley from Lookout Mountain; Army transport ascending Rapids of Tennessee river, View on Tennessee River, View on Tennessee River near Chattanooga

GLC07000.33

1861-1877

Photograph

Title: [Blockhouse at Railroad Junction neat Chattanooga, et al.]

Block House of railroad junction near Chattanooga; Block House on railroad at Charleston, Tenn.; Block House on Tennessee and Ala. railroad destroyed by Gen. Forrest; Fortified bridge over Cumberland R. on Louisville and Nashville railroad.

GLC07000.34