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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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18 February 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is very healthy; hopes the same is true at home. Fayette and Joseph are healthy. John is still at the hospital, but they have heard from him. He does not have consumption (tuberculosis). "Joseph thought his breach was going to clear him from duty, [but] the doctor told him that he was fit for duty." Had seen the breach, and agreed with the doctor that it would not become a problem. Tells her that what he writes to her about cannot be repeated. Thought about asking for a discharge when his leg was at its worse, but did not receive one when the leg recovered. Does not want a furlough as long as…

GLC09273.27

24 February 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

He, Joseph, and Fayette are all healthy. Leg is basically fully healed. Hopes this letter will find her in a similarly good condition and "enjoying the blessings of heaven." Has built a very good shanty to stay in. Washburn returned Monday. Will be staying at this camp until the ground is softer in the spring. They cannot move artillery until then. Received four months worth of pay worth $71.45. Plans on sending all but $5 of it home. Will send it in a letter "part of it at a time." It is possible that he will not be paid again until his time is out. Would love to be home with her and Oscar.…

GLC09273.28

25 February 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Feels "first rate." All are getting along well. Leg is feeling very good. Hopes she and Oscar are also well. Wishes he were home, but is contented to stay out his term. The time until he comes home will not seem so long once the weather gets warmer. It is sunny but cold today. Had to go and draw rations for the company and then cook them alone. This is his only duty now that he has begun to cook. John is still at the hospital at City Point. Fayette received a letter that they think is from him, but they cannot be sure because it is unsigned. Another man moved into his tent, making five…

GLC09273.29

2 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Received his 37th letter from her last night. "Sorry" that the letter contained $2 in greenbacks, because he had been sending money to her. Glad to hear she is in good health. Has rained all day very hard. He and Fayette have been washing shirts nearly all day; have made $1.80 each. Hoping to make some spending money. Will put $10 in this letter to send to her. Will only keep $1.50 for himself. Sends his love to Leonard, Betsey, Jane, and Samantha; would love to see Charles and Matilda. "Only six months more" until he will be home. Until then, she must "keep good courage and…

GLC09273.31

4 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg does not swell anymore, and is as good as new. Joseph, Fayette, and Guernsey are all out on picket duty. Was very windy in the morning and rainy the night before, but it is now sunny. Just got two more letters from her. Glad to hear the weather is getting warmer back home. May be at this camp for a month or two. It is the middle of the "rainy season now, for it rains about every day." Hoping to receive $20 per month for the work he has done since January 1. The last time, they were only paid through December 31, 1864. Cooks and carries rations for the company. Wants to…

GLC09273.32

5 February 1863

Van Nuys, Samuel Watson, 1841-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pa

Written at the Columbia College Hospital, in Washington, D.C.

GLC07687.011

11 August 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Caldwell near Mt. Hope. Has just commenced his work as chaplain for the 3rd Regt. Excelsior. A committee of two colored men from the nearby church asked him to preach at 3PM, but he puts it off till next Sunday as he feels unwell from the hot weather. He finds it very difficult to be away from his wife and children but believes that it is God's will for him to be in the Army. Writes that he has now given one service and hopes to do more when they get their Chapel tent. He has a health problem with his bowel so he…

GLC09006.01

13 October 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fred

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Caldwell. Writes that Fred's [his son] letters give him assurance that he has a "good and faithful boy at home to look after things" in his absence. Receiving letters about home pleases him more than anyone realizes. He is glad that Fred and Frank are able to get potatoes and other vegetables from the farm for the winter. Feels very proud that his sons are caring for their mother and younger siblings during this difficult time. Writes that he prays to God to keep his family safe and "preserve us till we may meet…

GLC09006.05

29 November 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Writes from Camp Wool. Upset to see so many men sick; had 200 men down a few days ago. Since they have left for Washington, ten men have died. He gets some exercise everyday because he wants to keep well for his wife and children and return home safe and sound. Drew a picture of his tent. It is nine feet square and eight feet high. It has a good floor and is similar to his tent at Camp Caldwell so he is very comfortable. From the drawing, the tent contains a bed, a table, a box of books, a trunk, and a pile of wood. In his drawing, he attempted to depict how the tent is fastened but…

GLC09006.08

12 December 1861

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Realizes that life is short and flying by so he deeply regrets being separated from his wife. Writes that he feels disconnected from his wife because they have been apart for so long. Wishes that the Union will soon be reunited and never part again. Hopes that he will return home soon and relieve his wife of the outdoor work and other chores. Keeps healthy by praying to God and being thankful for the food he eats. The band is serenading Mrs. Colonel Graham of the 5th Regiment. Asks if Mrs. Grant has…

GLC09006.09

30 March 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Writes from Camp Wool. Received food from his family, which pleased him greatly as it means that they are "as comfortable as when" he left. Discusses an unnamed woman who has passed away. He will continue to think of her as a happy and joyful spirit. States that they were a family on Earth for a short time but now one has gone to the "better land." Recently, they have been building better graves, with large wooden slabs. Writes about a plan they thought of: Captain Millard and 100 men would lead a night scout into Virginia.…

GLC09006.10

10 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Tells his wife that he will send his resignation request to the Colonel this week and hopes that it will be accepted in a week or two. Mrs. C has dyspepsia. Went to the Paymaster today but was told that he could not be paid for one week. Wishes to be at home with all his dear ones around him. There is great anxiety there about the Battle of Yorktown (April 5 - May 4, 1862) but they all "hope that McClellan will be more than victorious." Tells his wife to take good care of herself and make sure that she is in good health.

GLC09006.11

23 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Envelope has free frank signature of Reuben Eaton Fenton. Visited the Washington Navy Yard yesterday evening with Dr. Sam. Entered through Latrobe Gate, which has a large eagle placed on top of the gateway. Comments that the yard contains other devices which have been "specifically adapted to the naval character of the place." Sentinels are walking around the yard in their neat uniforms. Inside near the entrance are four huge cannons. Two of them came from Algiers and the other two were cast at the same place and time in France. Afterwards, one was sent to an unnamed area in the…

GLC09006.12

27 April 1862

Norton, Levi W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to wife

Meeting a man named Church at 9AM; Church promised to be his tour guide for the day. They went to the Smithsonian Museum. Saw so many things that it would be impossible to even attempt to describe them all. Saw the coat, pants, and gloves that John Franklin, the British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer, wore on one of his expeditions to the Arctic region. One room is devoted to paintings and sculptures, and another room is a gallery of Indian paintings and portraits. Went for dinner at a restaurant and Church suggested they go to Alexandria if it is not too late. Greatly wanted to…

GLC09006.13