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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.

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864 to Ma

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.01.05 Author/Creator: Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864 Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 24, 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 21 cm, Width: 26.2 cm Order a Copy

One letter addressed to Hattie E. Figures from Henry S. Figures dated January 24, 1861. In the beginning of the letter Henry discusses family members and their welfare, as well as their behavior. Henry mentions quite a few young women back home by name and asks his mother to convey messages to them. Toward the end of the letter, however, Henry explains that Harper's Ferry was definitely evacuated and the men there moved to Winchester, VA. Henry admits feeling guilty for "driving a pen at $1000 a year" while soldiers from his old company make only $132 a year, and thus it is only right that he rejoin his company as a soldier "because go I must."

Figures, Henry Stokes, 1844-1864
Figures, Hattie E., fl. 1861-1863

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