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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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1813-1814

Patterson, Robert M., 1787-1854

Header Record

Title: Collection of 27 manuscripts and 2 broadsides re: defense of Philadelphia [Decimalized .01- .27]

Printed and manuscript materials relating to the construction of earthen defenses around Philadelphia. Most date from 8/30/1814 - 10/31/1814.

GLC02978

circa 1867

Major, & Knapp Engraving, Manufacturing, & Lithographic Co.

Title: The Room in McLean House

Title continues, "at Appomattox C.H., in which Gen. Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant." Depicts 18 men present, mostly officers in uniform, including Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Published by the Major & Knapp. Eng. Mfg & Lith Co., 71 Broadway.

GLC02979.01

1889

Hovenden, Thomas, 1840-1895

Title: In the hands of the enemy after Gettysburg.

Engraving of ink depiction of a convalescing soldier.

GLC02979.02

1864

Sartain, John, 1808-1897

Title: Home on a Furlough

Hand colored engraving based off the original design of Christian Schussele. Published by Bradley & Co. at 66th North Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Caption under the title says: "To the loyal mothers, wives and daughters, of our country this engraving is respectfully dedicated." Central image depicts a returned Union soldier with his loving wife holding his baby daughter, while the rest of the extended family throngs around him. Everything converges on the soldier. Depicts a neat home with the trappings of a harmonious and industrious household, including tools and animals. A beautiful,…

GLC02980.02

17 November 1864

Blum, L.V., fl. 1864-1866

Newspaper

Title: The people's press. [Vol. 14, no. 29 (November 17, 1864)]

Contains an article discussing the arming of enslaved people. States "We are pleased to notice that nearly the entire press of the State has spoken out boldly in opposition to the scheme of arming negro slaves and making soldiers of them to fight our battles ... " Includes Civil War reports from various locations. Contains a message from Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who states "I must dissent from those who advise a general levy and arming of slaves for the duty of soldiers." Includes public notices, advertisements, and a notice of the sale for several enslaved people.

GLC02981

1866

Hamlin, Augustus C., 1829-1905

Book

Title: Martyria, or, Andersonville Prison

Printed in Boston by Lee & Shepard, with a signed presentation note dated 10 October 1866 by the author to Ulysses S. Grant. The book documents the conditions at Andersonville Prison. Illustrated by the author.

GLC02982

28 February 1862

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Document signed

Title: Muster roll of company D, of the 11th regiment of Penn RVC from the 31 day of Decr., 1861 to the 28 day of Feby., 1862

Muster roll of company D, of the 11th regiment of Penn RVC from the 31 day of Decr., 1861 to the 28 Roll of company of Pennsylvania reserves lists men's names, rank, last payday, when, where and by whom they were enlisted, and notes on any sickness or injury. Filled out by Captain William Stewart. Examined and signed by George Meade as Brigadier General and Mustering Officer. Written at Camp Pierpont.

GLC02983

19 October 1868

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David D. Porter

Reminds Porter of a letter he wrote to Sherman last spring in which Porter described everything about a meeting in 1865 where Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Sherman, and Porter discussed the course to be taken when the Confederate forces were defeated. Porter had written up this description at the request of G.P.A. Healy, who painted a picture of the meeting. Asks Porter if he kept a copy of this letter since he sent his copy to Healy and if he could furnish him with one. If not, he requests that Porter recount his memory of the meeting again particularly those parts which were "likely…

GLC02984

1861 ca.

Lewis, R.A., fl. 1861

Photograph signed

Title: Carte de visite of Robert Anderson

Signed as Brigadier General. Bust portrait.

GLC02985

1862-1864 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: R.B. Hayes, Col. 23rd Ohio

Carte de visite of Rutherford B. Hayes as Colonel of 23rd Ohio Vols.

GLC02986

13 December 1794

Jay, John, 1745-1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Livingston Jay

Writes to his wife about family matters. Hopes to be with her in a few months. Expresses considerable pleasure over a letter written to him by his daughter Maria. Remarks that they have many reasons to be pleased with their children.

GLC02987

January 1863- June 1864

Shreve, Richard L.R., fl. 1863-1864

Manuscript signed

Title: Morning reports of Co: B 72nd Regt. Penna Vols. Fire Zouaves

Daily morning reports for B Company, listing status of men under Captain Richard L.R. Shreve. Each day lists place, number of men according to rank, and notes on the days actions. Each day is signed by a first sergeant and a company commander. For the first few months Shreves signs as commander, which Fred Boland signs. The first sergeants signing are E. F. Wallington, Jesse D. E. Sterling, F. L. Mannes, and Samuel M. Sparks. Daily entries are made variously in different hands belonging to these men. Includes casualty reports for the Battle of Gettysburg. The Pennsylvania 72nd…

GLC02988

1862-1863

Garden, John R., fl. 1841-1864

Diary

Title: Diary of John R. Garden.

Diary covers activity of the 62nd regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, with roll of company M and daily entries. Includes detailed account of action at Gettysburg, mentioning Gen. Reynold's death and the fight for the wheat field (2 July 1863 entry). Contains list of arms and accoutrements including clothing.

GLC02989

12 October 1893

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Typed letter signed

Title: to Mr. Peck

Typed on stationery of the Exposition Universelle de Chicago, Pavillon Haitien. Sympathizes with Peck, recently removed from a governmental office. Notes that he would have written a letter to the President (Grover Cleveland) on Peck's behalf, but felt he had no influence with the present administration. Remarks, "I do not like to fight, unless I have a hope of hitting somebody. I have no claims on this democratic administration whatever. I did all I could to get it out of power, and do not feel now like begging it to keep my friends in office."

GLC02990

January 22, 1862

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Written to the "Officer Comdg Ferry Cairo Illinois." Orders the commander of the ferry that a ferryboat "will go to Fort Holt & return immediately, subject to the orders of Maj. Sangers. Written as Brigadier General. Orders made shortly before Grant's attack on Fort Donelson.

GLC02991

29 July 1880

Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886

Document signed

Title: to John W. Stevenson and John P. Stockton

Accepts nomination for President of the United States by the National Democratic Convention. Supports the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. Describes his commitment to the Union and the federal system of government. Argues against corruption as an impediment to the participation of people in their government: "Public office is a trust, not a bounty bestowed upon the holder; no incompetent or dishonest persons should ever be entrusted with it, or if appointed, they should be promptly ejected. The basis of a substantial, practical civil service reform, must first be…

GLC02992