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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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20 January 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written from Camp at Brestow Station. He discusses whether "Grandpap's house" will be suitable to rent. Mentions that they are likely to have more visitors after the war as he will want to invite over his friends from the army and discuss their shared experiences. He says it has been difficult getting his men to speak of his wife and family in a respectful manner and that he is trying to put a stop to them speaking of her at all, as they only do so in jest. He then mentions that his Sgt. was married while on furlough. After expressing his desire to see her and hold her again, he devotes the…

GLC02155.131

1 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Writing from Camp at Brestow Station in Virginia, Miller thanks his wife for writing so often, but insists he doesn't need her to send him "a Box", presumably of food because "we now get fresh Bread all the time". He describes the rations in more detail, seeming to be content with what he has. He alludes to the fact that on his last trip home, his wife was away. He writes of some gossip the two have shared in previous letter and begs her not to tell anyone what he has said about some of the other men in his company (one of whom is an officer). However, he is glad to have the position he has…

GLC02155.132

8 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.133

19 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.134

24 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.135

25 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.136

28 February 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.137

1 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.138

7 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.139

9 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.140

18 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller tells his wife that he has been feeling very blue lately, and that the days closer to his discharge feel extremely long. He says he would not reenlist in the army and expresses frustration that enlisted men, like himself, get paid less than officers but seem to do more work. He longs to speak face to face with his wife and misses their son, Charley. He mentions talk of the rebels' plan to storm a fort on the Rappahannock River. He apologizes several times for sending such a sad letter, signing off lovingly and emphatically. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.141

20 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller thanks his wife for her most recent letter and discusses how important the letters are for both of them. Her health is improving, which makes him happy. He'd like to see her, but says she could have become ugly in his absence and he would still love her. He describes getting up before sunrise to form ranks and the positioning of railroad cars to transport troops after talk of Stuart making a raid on the railroad. Miller's bunkmate, whom he was with since Antietam, was moved after being detailed as a corporal. He jokes about finding a female bunkmate. He says his spirits are…

GLC02155.142

20 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

In this short letter, Michael Miller tells his wife that the war department has ordered no mail sent from the army for 60 days. He tells her that if she doesn't hear from him, it is because he is not allowed to write. He remarks on how difficult this will be and signs off lovingly. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.143

24 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller writes to his wife, but saying he does not know what to tell her because the activities of Camp Bristoe Station are secretive. However, they have not received orders yet to move, which Miller is pleased about because he has been recovering from illness. He tells Lile that his division may not be engaged in upcoming battle because they have not been consolidated. He says his confidence in the government is waning and he would never leave his home again for the sake of war. Miller describes his dream from the night before: being home and reunited with Lile, talking with her after…

GLC02155.144

26 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller expresses relief that the war department has not yet stopped army mail. He says he's afraid this will be his last letter from Camp Bristoe Station, but he isn't certain if he will be going to the front. He discusses their love for each other. He tells her that reports say he may have to stay in the army longer than expected. He mentions he has been in the army for three years now. In a postscript, he says his health is not good and sends a kiss to his son. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.145

23 December 1861

Davison, Nathaniel R., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Willis and Sallie

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his brother, Willie, and his sister, Sallie, having heard from Ella Wat that they had heard nothing from him. He describes the defeat of 3000 troops at Annandale and the loss of 300 troops to death or imprisonment. He writes that only two companies of the regiment have seen battle, those at Manassas. Davison describes the cabins that they built for winter, but he worries that they will be required to depart before they can use them.

GLC03135.07.01

1 March 1862

Davison, Nathaniel R., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sallie and Mother

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister, Sallie, and his mother from Camp Fisher. He is not able to secure a furlough, so he will not be able to visit home soon. He feels certain that a major move is likely, though he does not know to where. The Union forces made trouble at Fort Donelson, taking many Confederate troops prisoners. Written at Camp Fisher.

GLC03135.07.02

15 January 1863

Davison, Nathaniel R., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sallie and the babies

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister, Sallie, and her children from Goldsboro, NC. He speaks of Union troops advancing toward Kinston, NC, and he describes life in camp, including the mild winter and his commissary duties. Davison writes that he almost got married and asks about the engagement of his friends, Kate and Jim Finley.

GLC03135.07.03

1 April 1863

Davison, Nathaniel R., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister and the babies

Nathaniel R. Davison writes to his sister and her children from Black Water Bridge, South Hampton County, VA. He says that he has been ordered back to his previous company, though his services probably will not be needed much longer. He is anxious to come home, and is planning on getting married soon. He asks his sister what damage the Union forces have done to Fulton.

GLC03135.07.04