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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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January 11, 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Cranor reports getting to ride a horse to get retrieve deserters. He writes that he had a nice Christmas. The rest of the letter is mostly marriage gossip.

GLC03791.021

10 February 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Mentions the cold weather: the coldest that he has had to deal with. He mentions that there are recruiters for the regular army but says that he probably won't join ("I dont want to bind myself into service after this war is over[.]" His present job is guarding the railroad.

GLC03791.022

1861-1877

Slocum, Delia, fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter

Title: to Franklin Cranor

re: The transcript of a love poem probably kept from a longer letter from Slocum.

GLC03791.023

8 March 1865

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

re: Reports that washed out bridges have resulted in no mail delivery for a week. He writes that lack of news has made him "tired and lonesome." After the arrival of the postmaster he closes his letter and reopens it the next day, where he mentions a telegraph dispatch reporting General Sheridan's capture of Confederate General Erling [Early]. He is afraid it is "all most too good to be true."

GLC03791.024

23 June 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent the day before and the continued good health of their brothers with him. He describes the location of regiment in relationship to Atlanta and the rail road tracks and expresses hope that they will be in possession of the railroad soon. He mentions the importance of having possession of the railroad tracks. Chester describes the methods of fortifying the rear of camp at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He reports of heavy casualties suffered by NY regiment and other MI regiments at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He describes preparation of rations. Chester…

GLC03955.01

4 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners.…

GLC03955.02

5 July 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

All is quite on the front but troops expect to fight again soon. Chester requests that Asa send him a new diary. He mentions the inferiority of camp medical care and fear of comrade's death. A comrade who had a good chance of recovery in last letter is now facing a chance of survival that is less than one in ten. Chester also mentions theft of rations among Union troops. He has received a pay raise to 18.00 per month, "a little better wages, and every little helps."

GLC03955.03

17 August 1864

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Chester comments on his disappointment at not receiving frequent correspondence from home. Claims to have been kept very busy, "Uncle Samyuel, or his Generals, kept us so busy making strategical movements trying to get around the left flank of the Southern Confederacy." He gives detailed description of daily life in the construction and disassembly of camp fortifications. He explains that he would like to disclose more information in terms of their location but afraid that the letter may fall into Confederate hands.

GLC03955.04

27 June 1863

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Chester M. Slayton [to unknown recipient on piece of scrap paper] "A hard battle is raging Co. B unharmed." C.M.S.

GLC03955.06

1861-1877

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

[Written on scrap paper with no names or date] "Look out for thieves Roch. has lost four or five bushels of wheat lately others have lost oats & - we keep on the look-out- & somebody will get caught- some of these times Il bet."

GLC03955.07

24 June 1866

Slayton, Charles M., fl. 1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Charles remarks on warm weather and describes his schedule at school as the term comes to an end. He debates plans to travel to Detroit or to stay in Lansing, MI before returning home. He had gone to a church service earlier that day saw people baptized. He claims he has not heard of many "important doings" from home. He sends well wishes to Asa and family makes mention of a letter received from Chester.

GLC03955.08

February 24, 1867

Slayton, William J., fl. 1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

William asks for news about home, family, and Asa'a school. He compliments Asa's wife and daughters. William mentions Mr. White of Ann Arbor, MI has sore eyes and seeks advice from Asa as to its cause, cure and cost of medicine. He mentions writing letter to Charles in Grattan. William apologizes for not sending a copy of the legislative journal more frequently and blames weather and flooding. Informs Asa that he plans to telegram his wife Sara to come visit Lansing by stagecoach.

GLC03955.09

1861-1877

Alsalan, fl. 1861-1877

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Mentions death of neighbors Emily Dugal, local foster child, and Armenia [Mason] and whose father must return for NY to have a burial. Mentions farm productivity and that the house has been painted. They describe other improvements and activities on the farm. They instruct Asa to tell Chester that his wife, Sara's apples have been stolen. A cow had baby, but Asa does not want more livestock so other relatives will take it. Request that Asa write to Alsalan in Corneels letters and that he write more frequently. Also requests that this letter and the plan to write to Alsalan in Corneel's…

GLC03955.10

24 May 1863

Rosalina, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Rosaline requests that Asa write more frequently. He describes the illness and eventual death of Edgan Chapman. He describes funeral held at school house and a song sang by one of the students in his honor. He predicts a good fruit harvest. Rosalina questions what to do with Asa's pictures that were left in Grattan at the school house. He reports of a group decision to hang the pictures in the school house, but questions if this was Asa's intent. He compliments the pictures. Rosalina concludes by responding to Asa's question in regards to the best pupils at this school and lists Asa's sister…

GLC03955.11

25 December 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Mary sends holiday wishes. Expresses surprise at the receipt of letter. Gives news of the death of Herman Hunt enlisted in 21st Michigan. Describes funeral of fellow teacher. Reports of good health among Asa's wife, sister, and sister-in-law. Informs Asa of local gossip and news about pupils from the school.

GLC03955.12

15 November 1863

Slayton, Emma, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Emma thanks Asa for sending her a birthday package. She reports that the other brothers have also sent packages. Emma reminisces about times when the family was together and expresses grievance over recent death of their father. She offers to answer any questions about their Father's illness as she was there in the last days of his life while the brothers were at war. Emma finds the division of the farm among descendants to be the brothers responsibility and explains her father's wishes for inheritance. She requests to know the location at which Asa stored the picture of her father in case…

GLC03955.13

August 23,1861-1877

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Asa W. Slayton

Complains that neighbors have been stealing produce, fruit and grains. Author threatens to shoot neighbors if they are found on property. Author notes that many neighbors are frequently on the move and hopes that these too will leave soon. Author makes mention of a debt Asa owes to a lawyer. Author pays $65.00 of debt and promises to settle the rest next time she goes into town. Author went to collect on a note from Mr. Denton who was unable to pay but vowed to pay at later date. Author reports that Mr. Day refused to take pictures saying he called for the pictures but they were not done…

GLC03955.14

August 1862

Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875

Autograph manuscript

Title: to citizens of Grattan Michigan

Slayton thanks the committee for their recognition, but accepts the sword on the behalf of all the men who have enlisted. Slayton recognizes that enslaved people are being used to aide the Confederates and that the continued allowance of slavery is hurting the Union cause. He then urges people to petition the government to the end slavery. He also describes the motivations of married men to fight. He expresses his commitment to the Union cause. Included is an envelope the envelope in which this written copy of the speech was kept with an inscription describing the contents.

GLC03955.15

1875

Slayton, Asa W., fl. 1862-1875

Autograph manuscript

Title: to unknown

A written copy of a 25th anniversary speech given at the dinner celebrating the anniversary of an unknown couple. Discusses the nature of birth, death and marriage. Expresses opinions on the wonders of love and marriage Commends the couple on their creation of a happy life.

GLC03955.16

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

Envelope

Title: [inscribed envelope and cloth square]

Envelope inscribed with a description of the contents of the envelope. The contents include pieces of clothing from members of the Slayton family who have at the time of the rest of the collection already died including Ezra G. Slayton Simeon Slayton Elijah Slayton and Hannah Howe Slayton. [These items are also included with the collection.]

GLC03955.17