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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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February 1, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Pa

One letter addressed to W.B. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated Camp Near Fredericksburg, February 1, 1863. Pertains to receiving an overcoat and that he had not been promoted. Also details that Will Biron had passed away. Henry is in winter camp, as he mentions that his tent now has a chimney which has made it quite comfortable. Henry's promotion still has not come in. He discusses his sorrow at the death of "Will Bison" and mentions that he will send his rifle home if "Willie Faris ever goes home."

GLC00653.01.10

February 9, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Mother

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated February 9, 1863. Mentions that he spoke to Colonel Foster recommending him for a furlough. Henry discusses the difficulty of getting a furlough and all the channels he must go through to obtain one. Also, he notes that General Lee's Adjutant addressed him as "Lieutenant" when he asked about his promotion, though he does not know if this was a mistake.

GLC00653.01.11

March 4, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 4, 1863. Mentions that he had his ambrotype taken and provides no updates on furlough. Describes the trying task of getting a furlough from Law's Brigade of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Also of note is Figures' statement that "Negroes are selling high in Richmond.

GLC00653.01.12

March 1, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

One letter addressed to Hattie Figures from Henry S. Figures dated 5 miles of Richmond, March 1, 1863. Pertains to furlough; the cost that enslaved people were being sold at in Richmond. Henry notes that Richmond is getting dull, mainly because there are few girls in evidence. He is still trying to secure a furlough. The 27th of the month has been set aside by the President (Jefferson Davis) as a day of prayer and thanksgiving.

GLC00653.01.13

March 10, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 10, 1863. Mentions attending church, borrowing money to buy a gun and his ambrotype. Henry's gun made it back home alright, and he is longing for home. His shoes, gloves and other goods, he instructs, must stay home, as he already has good pairs of them and cannot carry any more. Also, he notes that he has no use for the Clay family. March 11- Henry discusses appointments to the regular and provisional armies, as well as discusses family business. To note is Henry's breakfast of beef, corn-bread and Confederate coffee…

GLC00653.01.14

March 14, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated March 14, 1863. Provides updates of family and friends and that a friend fell in love with an unnamed girl in Huntsville. Henry mentions the goods he received from his mother, and brings up the fact that he toured the interior of the Merrimac No.2. He also mentions his little brother Willie's lack of prowess with a pen, and other family business. Of particular note is his statement "I still think Warren will come back. If he was here he wouldnt think of going to the yankees.

GLC00653.01.15

March 23, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated march 23, 1863. Mentions their location and health of the men in his company. Henry states how his unit left camp in a hurry, and then doubled back and returned to the very same camping spot. He explains that the enemy was crossing at a base near Fredericksburg, but was pushed back, allowing the relocating Confederates to return.

GLC00653.01.16

March 26, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They drew for furloughs again and he got one of them. He hopes they will sign it and he can't wait to come home. Henry promises to telegraph from Richmond if he gets his furlough, of which he is still uncertain. Also, Henry mentions a march to Ashlund, of which he refers to as "the sweetest place on earth".

GLC00653.01.17

May 20, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He asks for a pair of shoes. He met a Col. Aldredge who knows his father and he saw two yankee prisoners. Henry apparently did not get the furlough, as he asks for the shoes and the gloves he would have received "had I got [it]." 5 soldiers deserted his unit, and General Hood sent the cavalry after them, but have not come back yet. Also, apparently his "appointment" he has been waiting on is to be the Adjuctant of the 4th Alabama. In fact, he signs the letter with "Acting Adjuctant" of the 4th Alabama Vols. Henry also saw a few Union prisoners who had gotten sick and were left behind by their…

GLC00653.01.18

May 22, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

four men deserted but were caught and will be court marshaled. He asks his mother to make him new pants and a coat as the other coat she sent was 5 inches too short. Henry still hasnt received the appointment, and the missing soldiers, which now numbered 9, have been found. They are going to be brought before the Division Courts Marshall and Henry suspects that they will be shot. Also, Henry theorizes that he would be happy in the 48th, as he likes the Colonel and the Colonel likes him.

GLC00653.01.19

circa 1861-1864

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister

Henry tells his sister of the weather during his march to Culpepper. Of note is his grapevine knowlege through Colonel Sheffield (of the 48th) that General Ewell had caught several messengers from Union General Hooker to Slocum, and one of these messages was a dispatch with instructions to cross the mountains at Snigglers Gap. However, this never happened. Also,Henry is quite excited that a young lady from back home is going to be sending him a letter.

GLC00653.01.20

June 8, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They had an order to cross the Rappahannock and drive the enemy out but it was countermanded and they are now back at their old camp. Henry states that General Law had commanded the Regiments in his brigade to cross the Rappahannock and charge the enemy, but this was countermanded by Lee. It appears from the letter as if the amount of fighting is picking up. Written near Culpeper, Virginia.

GLC00653.01.21

June 21, 1863

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

They crossed the Shenandoah the other day and they expect to go to Maryland and Pennsylvania next. Major Scuggs will deliver this letter because he has been discharged and is going home. This letter serves as foreshadowing of Lee's invasion into Pennsylvania in July.

GLC00653.01.22

15 June 1864

Envelope

Title: to Mrs. Edward H. Odgen

GLC06559.161

31 December 1864

Envelope

Title: to Mrs. Edward Odgen

Year not visible.

GLC06559.167

3 September 1815

Envelope

Title: to Mrs. Edward Odgen

Year not visible.

GLC06559.168

7 April 1815

Envelope

Title: to Mrs. Edward Odgen

Year not visible.

GLC06559.169

30 April 1861

Chrisler, M., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hiram A. Blodgett

Chrisler writes that he is glad Blodgett is ready to fight for the Union He refers to some photographs he has included (not in collection). There is a note which indicates that Chrisler was a war photographer. The envelope has a seal in the image of Lincoln.

GLC02248.01.01

30 April 1861

Chrisler, M., fl. 1861

Typed letter

Title: to Hiram A. Blodgett

This is the typed version of GLC02248.01.01.

GLC02248.01.02