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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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1899/11/01

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Chapman

News of friends and family; hopes for November election; and article written for the Times concerning actions of Ulysses S. Grant and Philip Sheridan during the war: "[W]hen Grant telegraphed Sheridan about capturing and corralling my men's wives it would have been a great advantage and promoted the efficiency of command."

GLC03921.03

1900/11/23

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Sam Chapman

Chapman's fate pending army reorganization; McKinley's feelings towards Mosby.

GLC03921.04

1905/12/23

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sam Chapman

News of Chapman's appointment under Brown Allen; finding Lee's letter book over the Gettysburg Campaign.

GLC03921.12

6 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Describes meeting generals George Washington and Charles Lee, who begged him to return to Roxbury and expressed great pleasure in the fortifications Knox had supervised the construction of. Tells a story about how General Lee tried to get a letter to General John Burgoyne during the battle of Bunker Hill (17 June 1775), to ask him to use his "influence and endeavor to Heal this unnatural break." Criticizes and offers corrections to a widely published account of Bunker Hill by British General Thomas Gage that claimed only 170 redcoats were killed. The Revolutionary War began at the battle…

GLC02437.00196

7 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her, but must be of service to his country. Sends her copies of the addresses made in Congress and directed to generals George Washington and Charles Lee (not included).

GLC02437.00197

9 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Longs to see her and expects to the following week. Expresses esteem for generals George Washington and Charles Lee. Of Washington, he writes: "General Washington fills his place with vast ease and dignity & dispenses happiness all around him." Of Lee: "Genl Lee will become very popular soon." Reports that he is going to visit Washington this evening.

GLC02437.00198

11 July 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Comments affectionately about writing to Lucy often. Reports that he goes to Roxbury and Cambridge in the mornings and returns to Watertown in the evenings, offering support to Captain Michael Jackson's company. Plans to visit her soon, but feels he must provide his "oppressed Country an essential service." Mentions that General Charles Lee received word that General John Burgoyne wants to have a meeting, but Lee will not comply unless ordered by Congress. Praises the patriot's burning of "Browns House on Boston neck." Also praises George Washington, who took over the…

GLC02437.00199

10 August 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Affectionately laments their separation. Mentions that Generals George Washington and Charles Lee inquired about her. Comments on an encounter with navy prisoners. Discusses the "regulars" making a "fine prize" of 2000 sheep and 150 heads of cattle on Fishers Island, off Connecticut. Thinks he will see her Monday. The American Army got into a skirmish with British forces nearby at Plumb Island the day after this letter was written, the first reported clash between regulars in the Continental Army and the redcoats. Letter is dated Thursday morning 9 August 1775 but Thursday was actually…

GLC02437.00200

13 August 1775

Howland, Joseph, 1749-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Indicates that he sent Knox some hosiery. Describes Norwich as confused. Discusses current preparations to defend against the British, who would like to seize their provisions. Calls the uncontested British seizure of provisions on Fishers Island the previous week shameful for the Americans. Interprets a letter from George Washington to the Rhode Island Committee of Correspondence in regard to transports as a reprimand. Asks Knox his rank and requests that he show the works at Roxbury and Cambridge to two of Howland's friends. Discusses forming a light infantry in Rhode Island and asks…

GLC02437.00201

25 September 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Mentions making daily excursions to Cambridge. Reports that General Charles Lee said William could easily get a commission, and Knox will discuss it further with George Washington and Horatio Gates. Knox wants William to join the artillery. Discusses the British troops' ineffectual cannon shot against the American works at Roxbury on 23 September 1775. Asks William to send one of the Watertown newspapers to Edward Parry, Esq. Some of the text on the original is faded.

GLC02437.00203

23 October 1775

Greenleaf, Joseph, 1720-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Docketed by George Washington. Forwards Knox a plan (not included) given to Greenleaf "by a country gentleman." He concludes that Knox could make the best use of it, commenting that "if it affords any good hints they will be improved by you for the public good." On verso, there is a brief notation believed to be in George Washington's hand: "200 Tons Hay /10,000 Cords W."

GLC02437.00207

1862