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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.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 [Petition for promoting Colonel Andrew Wood Denison].

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01012 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph endorsement signed Date: 12 September 1864 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 32 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

Lincoln submitted this petition to Secretary of War Stanton. Fifteen prominent men from Maryland signed the petition asking that Colonel Denison be promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers. The petition recounts Denison's service to the Union, including his recruitment Maryland soldiers and his efforts leading them in battle. Denison's contribution culminated in the loss of an arm due to being shot at the Battle of Spotsylvania, but the petition contends, he has recovered and wants to be of service to the U.S.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

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