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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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6 November 1917

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Patton

Writes to his mother regarding his political aspirations and having met several congressmen who were less than gentlemanly. Mentions hearing that one congressman was at Patton's parent's wedding. Adds that he has gone horse-back riding and is hunting wild boars today. He writes, "I expect to be a major any day now which shows that this is a great war."

GLC06345

January 27, 1907

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ruth Patton

Writes to his mother regarding his time at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mentions his grades and discusses having purchased books on tactics that he plans on reading during his trip home. Letterhead imprint reads 1909 (Patton's expected graduation year), surrounded by two swords and an eagle.

GLC05618

25 May 1945

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter

Title: Headquarters XXI Corps

The document is typed by Lt. Col. Hubert D. Barnes to the Adjutant General in Washington, D.C. Barnes notes that the German soldiers have lost battle resolve. On May 6th, it was announced that German Army group "G" surrendered, thus ending the battalions front battle in Miesbach, Bavaria, but there were many prisoners to process. Despite the announcement of V.E. Day, the soldiers remained somber as the war was not over until the East was won. No battle casualties were suffered in the last ten days of war, and a total of 42,489 rounds were fired during their ten month tour with all four active…

GLC09591.12

25 April 1945

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter

Title: Headquarters XXI Corps

The document is a typed copy of correspondence between Lieutenant General G.S. Patton and Major General Troy H. Middleton. Patton is thanking Middleton for the bravery of his troops at Bastogne and their subsequent movements in the Rhine. Middleton writes back that he is humbled by the honor and has trashing to his officers Patton's words of appreciation.

GLC09591.11.02

1944/01-1945/12

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Header Record

Title: to Stockdales re: Italian & German campaigns, Patton's death [decimalized]

Collection of materials written to Rene and Frank Stockdale, with a signed and dated 3-star general's flag (54 x 72.4 cm). The letters, written to two personal friends in Britain during the last eighteen months of World War II, chronicle Patton as his Third Army swept through Italy, France and Germany. The earliest letter dates just twenty days before Patton was appointed commander of the Third Army. The correspondence ends with a hopeful letter (18 Dec 1945) written by Major General Hugh J. Gaffey just three days before Patton's death from an automobile accident. Also includes as…

GLC06760

1944/07/04

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Renee & Frank Stockdale re: thanks for "the many courtesies"

Thanking the Stockdales for "the many courtesies which you two have rendered me and... the Third Army."

GLC06760.01

1944/01/02

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Renee Stockdale re: a battle involving 15 US Divisions

Written twenty days before being appointed commander of the Third Army. He notes concerning that battle, involving 15 United States Army Divisions "all but two attacking. Tonight... we may lick him."

GLC06760.02

1944/07/15

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to [Renee & Frank Stockdale] re: thanks for letter, secrecy in correspondence

Thanking Renee Stockdale for her letter received, and stating that "owing to the requirements of secrecy," he is "unable to write more."

GLC06760.03

1944/09/19

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Renee Stockdale re: asking her to send his three stars

GLC06760.04

1944/10/11

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Renee Stockdale re: sending piece of parachute silk

Sending Renee Stockdale a souvenir piece of parachute silk "given to me by a member of a crew of one of our bombers which was forced down"

GLC06760.05

[1944]/10/18

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Renee & Frank Stockdale re: frustration at not being able to fight the enemy

"Just a note... to say that the Third Army is not dead just sleeping.... We are fed up with not fighting."

GLC06760.06

1944/11/30

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: beginning of major assault on the Seigfried line

"We have just started an assault on the Seigfried line this minute...." The "Seigfried line" protected the German homeland from the west. With written postscript.

GLC06760.07

1945/01/03

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: battle of the Bulge, expecting German withdrawal

A prophetic note, preceding by one day the German withdrawal of the 6th SS Panzer Division from the Battle of the Bulge. Patton writes in part: "We have been attacking him and I believe that we now have him on the run."

GLC06760.08

1945/03/29

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: latest operation, liberating towns and capturing Germans

Patton writes in part: "Our last operation has been the best... we have taken 6000 odd square miles of Germany, liberated or captured 3000 towns... captured over 140,000 prisoners and killed or wounded over 90,000 Germans, for the complete destruction of the 7th and 1st German Armies...."

GLC06760.09

1945/05/04

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: progress of 3d Army, now at the Danube

Patton writes in part: "As usual, the 3rd Army has been wiggling around like a snake.... Whoever said the Danube was blue is a damn liar." He notes that a "whole division surrendered to us this morning." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.10

1945/08/08

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: dull peace; his request for transfer to Pacific rejected

Written shortly after the rejection of his request for transfer to the Pacific war (now that Germany had surrendered), Patton finds "Life here is very fatiguing, but not very exciting. I am going to... reviews and inspections... which takes a lot of walking and flying."

GLC06760.11

1944/08/06

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: campaigning

(Out of order.) Patton writes that he cannot say where he is (due to confidentiality): "While it is impossible for me to give details... if you look carefully at a map you can guess damn well where it is." With envelope signed by Patton. With written postscript.

GLC06760.12

1944/08/28

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: thanks for gift

Expressing his gratitude for a gift from the Stockdales and wishing Renee a "speedy recovery." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.14

1944/11/07

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: tedium of waiting

Patton complains "this waiting has been tedious, but now we are about tot try to carry the ball some more." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.15

1945/01/26

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: unable to visit

Patton promises to come visit, but must delay because "something happened the other day which means that we will keep on fighting violently." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.16

1945/02/27

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: sending razor blades, looks forward to seeing

Sending extra razor blades (another item rationed) and says he is "looking forward to the times when we can again have our old-time evenings together...."

GLC06760.17

1945/05/18

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frank Stockdale re: missed visit, business

Patton writes, slightly jocularly, "you nearly saw me yesterday as I was planning a surprise invasion..., then the last minite some things occurred in Germany and I had to come back at once."

GLC06760.18