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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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25 January 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Recounts the latest news of the war, including two vistories in Kentucky ("the last one at or near Somersett"). Refers to mortgages, credit, and unfavorable prices: "....prices of everything is on the decline that the farmer has to sell, and what he has to buy just the opposite."

GLC07687.119

29 January 1862

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Watson Van Nuys

Continued criticism of army officers for lack of action: "There is but one way to close this war in a hurry and that is let Congress reduce the pay of all officers to that of Privates, and if they resign put them in the ranks….[y]ou will hear nothing more of 'not ready' which in my opinion is nothing but a plea to fill their pockets with Uncle Sam's gold." Comments on the health of family members and the deaths of two soldiers, and mentions reaction the release of James M. Mason and John Slidell, who had been captured aboard the British steamer Trent.

GLC07687.120

5 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Does not have time to write much, but is very healthy. Thinks she should sell one of the pigs if she can fatten one up enough by next fall. She should try to "get all you can for it." She must tell him how much she can sell the pig for and how much it weighs. Reminds her to send some pills and plow the fields.

GLC09273.33

20 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Feels "first rate...my health is the best it has been for 4 or 5 years," but would feel even better if he were at home. Hopes this letter will find her and Oscar in a similar condition. Has sent $95.50 in total to her in the form of four $20 bills, one $10 bill, one $5 bill, and 50 cents. Sent home some gloves in Guernsey's box. Weather has warmed up at camp, so he does not need the gloves anymore. Sold his blanket to Guernsey for $2. Fayette and Joseph also sold their blankets. Will keep his overcoat for the time being; plans to sell it eventually. Has been away for almost…

GLC09273.34

24 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg is back to normal. Has not received a letter in two weeks, but supposes that that is on account of the high water taking out some of the railroad. Weather has been cool and windy for 2 or 3 days now. "We lay here very quiet in camp, and things look very favorable." War looks to be all but over. "Rebels are about ready to surrender Richmond, and that will be the last of them." She must keep good courage until he comes home. Is cooking for the captain for a few days. Will put $5 more in this letter to send to her, which makes $100.50 in total. While this money should help a…

GLC09273.35

27 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy; hopes this letter finds her in equally good health. Has not received a letter since March 10th. Is sending a few pictures with this letter. One shows the railroad bridge that has been built since the battle of Hatcher Run. "It is 35 feet high." Must stop writing; the mail is being collected now.

GLC09273.36

28 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is "tip top;" hopes she is too. Wants to know if she has received all of the money he has sent her. Is eating really well. Decided to turn in his gun to the quartermaster, so "all I will carry will be my knapsack." Expects to begin marching somewhere starting tomorrow morning. Believes he is going to North Carolina. About 135,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry are going to be on the move. Would rather move than stay at camp any longer. Only 5 months until he will be home. Prays every day. "I think the war will soon be used up." Would like to see her and Oscar; looks at her likeness very often.…

GLC09273.37

3 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "tip top." All are healthy. Left the old camp on March 28 "and marched about 8 miles and had an awful fight and whipped the rebs." Had another battle with the Confederates the next day. Fought the rebels again the next morning in a battle that "lasted till about dark," when they began to build defensive fortifications. Marched six miles the next day to meet Sheridan's cavalry. "We haven't lost a man out of the company." Has taken about 25,000 prisoners. The rebels have been pushed to the other side of the South Side Railroad, and Petersburg has fallen. "I haven't been in any of the…

GLC09273.38

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