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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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7 June 1861

Winthrop, Theodore, 1828-1861

Autograph document signed

Title: [Special order of General Benjamin Butler]

Written 3 days before Winthrop famously became the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. Winthrop was an aide de camp to General Benjamin Butler at Fortress Monroe in Virginia. Document marked "Special order." Winthrop wants this order posted for the "so-called Naval Brigade" to see. Says the Naval Brigade will be inspected. Says each man that passes will be formed into companies for a regiment. Will be given clothing and equipment and be allowed to elect their officers. All those who do not want to enlist will be sent back to New York. Before the war Winthrop was a novelist, lawyer,…

GLC03915.02

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