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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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June 12, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

In the letter, he recounts his visit to a photographer in St. Anthony who has yet to send him his photos after two months; this has sorely "vexed" him. He talks about the trip the regiment is about to make to Devils Lake in the northern Dakota Territory, which will be hard and long. Though others are glad that they are not going south, he says that at least in the South there are hospitals, which is not so on their "Indian hunt." He may not be able to send mail on the plains, but says he will try. Written at Camp Pope.

GLC00203.05

June 14, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

He informs his brother to send mail to Fort Abercrombie so it will reach him on the plains. His brother, Henry, will get his discharge within the next few days. Written at Camp Pope.

GLC00203.06

August 30, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson mentions four fights with Indians in the Dakota Territory and the army's destruction of their abandoned supplies. He complains of the bad water and hard marching, but assures his brother of his continued health. He tells of the birth of Henry's son, named Edwin "by [Jackson's] request." He muses on what the troop will do next. He also reveals that his photographs (see #5) had been sent to someone with his same name in Company C, who threw them away. Contains a separate post script, dated the next day, see GLC00203.07.02.

GLC00203.07.01

August 31, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

The extra scrap, dated the next day, contains a post script mentioning that he received a letter from Harry and "they are all well." A separate post script from GLC00203.07.01.

GLC00203.07.02

December 20, 1863

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson describes troop movements across the plains to Fort Thompson, and writes about the cold and stormy weather, which has caused the soldiers to nickname the march the "Moscow Expedition." He discusses the food he's eaten (salt pork and "flip flaps"), his weight gain of five pounds, and how he will relax if he gets a furlough at home. He uses the Dakota phrase "wash-ta-do," which he says means "very good."

GLC00203.08

January 31, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson has not heard from Bill, he repeats much of what he said in #8 about the "Moscow Expedition"; he talks about the large amount of clothing that he wore during that time and about how his regiment found 3,000 freezing Indians at Fort Thompson in the Dakota Territory. His weight gain has now inexplicably risen to sixteen pounds. He mentions a man, possibly from home, named Marshall or Johnny Gaites, who talks about the trapping. Jackson asks his brother to enquire discreetly into trapping around his home, and describes his plans to buy some traps and make some money when he is on…

GLC00203.09

March 14, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson thinks and hopes that the troops will be sent to the South in place of the Minnesota 1st. He implores Bill to get everyone he knows to vote for Lincoln, as he is "stubborn" and the only candidate who can end the war. He waxes poetic on the "God[d]ess of Liberty" looking down upon the country, and tells Bill to visit their friends at home. This folder contains an envelope with two pictures printed on it: the first portrays two Indians with a flag reading "For the Union"; the second consists of one farmer plowing and another riding a horse with "Letoile du Nord" ["The Star of the…

GLC00203.10

May 6, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson informs his brother that his company has been moved to Pipe Lake, which he dislikes, and says they won't go South this summer, though they may when the Minnesota 8th returns. He explains why Henry is having such a hard time at home with his new family: he was not discharged early enough to plant crops, and so must buy everything. Henry's health is also not well, and Edwin implores Bill to reply to Henry's letters.

GLC00203.11

June 19, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

The regiment is in Cairo, IL, on its way to Helena, AK, where Edwin Jackson is happy to be going. He describes a parade they were in, where the regiment's "Silver Band" played and ladies blew them kisses and waved their handkerchiefs. He talks about his emotional departure from his father, but firmly defends his decision to fight for his country and do his duty for the three years for which he enlisted - although he feels that one man per family in the army is enough. He complains about the high prices, specifically of coffee, in Cairo, and recounts how he (maybe) accidentally forgot to pay…

GLC00203.12

July 14, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson writes that the troops are in Arkansas, and he often has to stand guard duty; however, he would much rather be in the South and "run the chance of being shot and killed out and out" than be in Dakota "and be killed by degrees." He tells Bill not to worry about him, and that he and his fellow soldiers often feel that those at home are in more danger than they are in the field. He sends his patriotic regards to a boy that came home without an arm, and offers to kill a Rebel for him, reminding him that it is better to be wounded or killed than to be a Copperhead. He mentions a…

GLC00203.13

October 3, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson writes this letter from a camp hospital, and informs Bill that he has the ague (fever) and had the shakes terribly the night before. His fever is broken, though, and he is not in danger, just weakened by the fever, and wants to return to duty in a week or so. He briefly mentions how he greatly dislikes Helena. Written at Camp Bedford.

GLC00203.14

October 27, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson writes that he is over his fever and is well again. He also recently voted, along with the rest of his regiment. He proudly notes that only 10 or 12 of them voted for "the Traitor Little Mac," so his regiment is a "true Union Regtiment." He talks of building winter quarters in a better location, and discusses how all of the regiment's doctors ("butchers") left and that the new doctors are much better. He mentions letters from his father and Mrs. Thorn. Written at Camp Bedford.

GLC00203.15

November 16, 1864

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson discusses that the regiment has been moved to St. Louis, a much more hospitable place than the "Grave Yard" of Helena, AK, where two men died from sickness. He thinks the regiment will stay the rest of its enlistment there, and mentions that he is already getting "fatter." He rejoices that Lincoln has been reelected and states his belief that the South will lose.

GLC00203.16

January 9, 1865

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Edwin Jackson wishes Bill a happy New Year and talks about how happy and hopeful he is. He remarks that, after his last seven months are up, he will be proud to have been in the army and will be able to look at the cowardly Copperheads with contempt. He writes about how awful Helena was and how his regiment would have preferred to have been on the Potomac. He mentions letters from home and from the Thorns.

GLC00203.17

September 24, 1865

Jackson, Edwin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jackson

Writing from home, he rejoices about having been part of crushing the rebellion in the South. He talks about how happy his father was to see him home again. He mentions that he was in the last battle in Blakely, Alabama, with his trusty Springfield rifle, and writes about how Copperheads should dig holes and lay down in them. He talks about the triumph of free government and says that the country should be grateful and repentant to God and try to do better; he then states that Jefferson Davis should be shot. He describes his life now: he busy helping Henry with the crops, and praises his new…

GLC00203.18

February 23, 1860

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

He describes their correspondence and hopes to maintain frequent contact. He inquires after a Mr. Chickering, a clerk and businessman. Powell as recently attended an exhibition of a two-piece painting of Adam and Eve by Sir Bufe, lectures, and the local insane asylum. He expresses concern about Emma's health, as well as hope for true friendship and true religious peace and comfort.

GLC00687.001

April 24, 1860

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

He is sorry for the brevity of this letter and that her previous letters to him must remain unanswered, as he is very busy with the Legislature. He enclosed flower seeds, and comments on the freezing temperatures at night.

GLC00687.002

June 19, 1861

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Emma C. Small

George May Powell apologizes for the tardiness of this letter, brief as it is, due to his many responsibilities. He intimates at the future possibility of exchanging communication about lectures, articles, and books, particularly the Bible.

GLC00687.003

September 6, 1861

Powell, George May, 1835-1905

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mine ver mooch freu

He reports the work of the past month is building guns for the war. He would like a copy of the Journal with her poem, and he encloses a program of an event he attended (not extant). As the men await an impending battle, Major McCrea commented at prayer service that they are on the threshold of the apocalyptic battle between Gog and Magog. It is time to act and be aware of events.

GLC00687.004

January 30, 1811