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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.

Totten, Benjamin J., 1806-1877 Case of Fredk Breckendorf, seaman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.54 Author/Creator: Totten, Benjamin J., 1806-1877 Place Written: s.l. Type: Document signed Date: February 24, 1859 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 32 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Breckendorf was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged after being found with marine drummer boy Edwin Donnohoe "under improper and suspicious circumstance." He was also placed in solitary confinement for thirty days for his "scandalous conduct." Signed twice by Totten.

Totten, Benjamin J., 1806-1877

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