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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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29 August 1863

Engberth, Jacob M., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Comments on deserters being shot. Describes a deserter being led through camp behind his coffin, allowed to speak a few words, and "his leges wos tide up and kneeled becide his coffen and then thair wos twelve men shot at him…" Reports that two soldiers were shot from the same division, five were shot from 112th regiment, and three were shot from 12th Corps. Adds that five will be executed today in the army Corps. Mentions that the war will not last long once Charleston, South Carolina falls "it will strike tearer [sic] to the harts of all the Southren Soldier…" Mentions that General…

GLC03523.43.08

28 February 1864

Colony, Charles E., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary

Apologizes for not writing sooner. Mentions being homesick and Sundays being lonesome. Writes about a visit with Edwin and having a "clean meal" and eating beef steak, butter, apple sauce, and coffee. Inquires after Mary's farm. Describes his trip down as being a good one. Refers to wanting to see a woman in camp. Possibly to Mary Reeser, John Reeser's wife.

GLC03523.43.10

15 March 1864

Engberth, Jacob M., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Talks of being on picket every third day and having both drill company and brigade drill daily. Mentions that reentry is good and that they have 57 men on the roll compared to 17. Complains about another man named Jacob not paying them the local bounty and having to write to Captain [Aichholtz] in West Chester, Pennsylvania to give him his credit there. He was finally able to obtain a certificate showing that he was enlisted. Mentions that he has not been paid yet but will get paid next month and will then pay Reeser. Discusses how the war is going to "fill some mens pockets... and as…

GLC03523.43.11

14 September 1864

Bow, Nathan, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Writes to John Reeser from Company B. Describes being about ten miles from fighting and hearing the soldiers firing at each other all the time. Comments that the rebels are "firing at our pickits every nights." Describes taking a man prisoner while on picket and sending him to head quarters. Informs Reeser that he will send ten dollars to him. Inquires after a friend who was sent to Philadelphia; sends message to have his friend join him in Company B.

GLC03523.43.12

1 October 1864

Penn, Willey, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Writes from the White Horse Motel in Philadelphia. Informs Reeser that he will be in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and wants Reeser to meet him. Plans on traveling home with Reeser. Talks of taking the stage home if Reeser is unavailable. Mentions wanting to make it to a meeting on Thursday. On White Horse Hotel stationary.

GLC03523.43.14

15 October 1864

Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when working all night, time and a half when working on a Sabbath, and after three months will receive free transportation home. Writes that they are putting up a stationary engine in the south part of town. Reports that the Confederate "Jonies" are about twenty miles from them, between them and Atlanta, Georgia. Comments that they expect the…

GLC03523.43.15

2 November 1864

Ubil, Frederick, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Apologizes for not writing sooner, and for Si not writing. Mentions that Si is unhappy here because he doesn't have a girl yet but he is looking at two or three and will soon be all right. Writes that many of his friends have quit and moved away. Discusses a political meeting they had on Friday where the union spoke. Says that there is another meeting tomorrow and the Democrats will speak, or the "smut machine as the unnion speaker calls them." Writes that the election is on Tuesday and "after that the country is saved so the speakers said on both sides if they voted for there men."…

GLC03523.43.16

3 November 1864

Howe, Nathan, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Reeser

Discusses putting Lincoln in for four more years. Inquires if Reeser received his letter requesting gloves and if so for Reeser to send him the gloves along with ten dollars. Tells him that he is out of money and won't get paid for another month. Inquires after a female, saying that if she is a Copperhead that she need not write to him. Comments that he will fight until the rebels are locked out. Describes giving the rebels hell on the 24th on the old barracks battleground.

GLC03523.43.17

November 20, 1864

Unknown

Manuscript letter

Title: to unknown

Comments that he is doing well other than a bad cold that he caught on the boat. Describes being at the old dismounted camp where the regimental property is. Reports that Company B is about six miles away on picket duty and that he will be out as soon as he can. Mentions that he is taking care of lame horses. Sends his best to everyone back home.

GLC03523.43.18

20 November 1864

Howe, Nathan, fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Reeser

Mentions that he received the ten dollars that Reeser sent him. Reports that Dan has not joined the Company yet and that he is at the dismounted camp on the other side of the river. Inquires after a pair of boots that he requested the "old man" make for him, and asks Reeser to tell the "old man" to make the boots a little bigger. Request Reeser to pay for the boots and to send them express to Company B, 11th Calvary.

GLC03523.43.19

18 December 1864

Hulslander, C.B., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary H. Benedict

Apologizes for taking so long to write back. Mentions that he is sick and has been for about ten days but believes that he will get better. Inquires after her singing and and asks how George is coming along with his melodies. Wishes that he could hear her sing and play, and says "it will do me as much good as my diner." Writes about choosing what type of cake he would like. Informs her that he would like those "little round scallope cakes" and prefers it over the clove cake. Inquires after the children, Ed and Ellen, and ask if she has to whip them often or if they are good children.

GLC03523.43.20

14 December 1839

Warley, Jacob, fl. 1839

Manuscript document

Title: "In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine]

"In Senate...committee on Federal Relations...in relation to an alleged violation, on the part of ...[Maine], of that important provision of the constitution of the United States, concerning the apprehension and trial of 'fugitives from justice.' ... The Governor of this State...to correspond with...Georgia..."

GLC09141.02

1 January 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friends

Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Complains about not receiving any letters from home. Reports not hearing any news from Washington, D.C. yet (possibly regarding a discharge). The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.

GLC03523.52.28

February 14, 1864

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Writes to his father from Camp Douglas. Discusses his and other soldiers' requests for a discharge. Notes they have most of the officers signature on a petition and their lawyer is still waiting to hear from Washington. Comments they should know the outcome within a few weeks. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.37

13 October 1871

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cousin

As Commanding General of the Army, after his return to Army Headquarters in Washington DC from a western trip, re the Great Chicago Fire: "…I was traveling from St. Louis to Louisville Ohio during the terrific fire, which has swept away nearly all of Chicago & could only get snatches of news from the smaller telegraphic officers. I got home yesterday and like all the world am amazed to know what to do."

GLC09369

22 June 1789

Freeman, J., fl. 1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Thatcher

To George Thatcher, Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress, re news from House of Representatives in Boston, titles being discussed for George Washington: "Brother Davis … followed my advice in appearing very modest the first session. John Gardiner has harangued several times with great effect. I fear that, by talking too much and too vehemently, he will soon lose his influence… I am happy to find that your sentiments on title are the same as my own. The zeal which some manifest for them is truly ridiculous. The people in this town, and especially the women, think that no style…

GLC09374

28 April 1863

Kessler, A.P., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son and daughter

Inquires after a friend's (or family member's) farm and some financial matters. Requests his son to write him with the latest developments. The city listed in the letter is Springfield; state is not given.

GLC03523.52.04

31 July 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth N. Kessler

Writes to his sister from camp. Reports they buried a man yesterday who was killed in battle. They marched 30 miles to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Discusses visiting the Michigan Museum, the law department, and the medical department while in Ann Arbor. Notes seeing fleas, elephants, sea shells and animals, birds, a human skeleton, and various kinds of pictures. Request she sends him postage. Writes about a bad storm that brought lots of rain and hail. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.05

10 August 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes to his sister from camp. Discusses the weather. Comments they have been living off of hard crackers for a week and are expecting bread tomorrow. Complains about the bread being sour and dirty. Discusses two new tunes that their band has learned. Writes about the ladies who come into camp and listen to them play. Reports that officers sent 15 to 20 deserters to a prison where they are to be court marshaled. Notes that this is one of the prisoners third time deserting and he is expected to be shot. Reports General Ambrose E. Burnside issued orders that anyone absent from regiment…

GLC03523.52.06

13 August 1863

Kessler, Thomas J., fl. 1843-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Instructs his sister to sell some butter and eggs to purchase stamps. Advises her not to visit, says that the town is small and it would cost too much. Complains about the officers' backgrounds being in farming and not the military. Request that his father purchase him a colt with his money. Inquires after the family and everyone's health. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

GLC03523.52.07

21 August 1863

Wirt, Elles, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Kessler

Discusses his farm and land. List the selling price of corn, hay, wheat, oats, potatoes, chicken, beef, and various other items. Request a favor to borrow their oxen and a horse. Writes he will pay them after harvest. Sends his best to the family.

GLC03523.52.08

30 August 1863

Wirt, I.D., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Libby Kessler

Reports that it is very cold this August and they just had a big frost. Expresses her sympathy about Henry Kessler's death. Writes that their neighbor's 12-year-old boy died yesterday from a diving accident. Addressee name taken from envelope.

GLC03523.52.09