Our Collection

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.

Farragut, Virginia L., fl. 1860-1865 to [Roberta Jeffery]

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01896.075 Author/Creator: Farragut, Virginia L., fl. 1860-1865 Place Written: Brooklyn, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 23, 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 19 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

The release of Roberta's brother, William, who is being detained as a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware. Virginia informs Roberta that, upon receiving a letter from William, Admiral Farragut addressed a letter to the commanding officer at Fort Delaware for his immediate release. The process is being delayed, however, by the lack of cooperation from Federal officers. Virginia talks about her great sadness due to the course of the war but expresses great relief that her family was safe--"...God had blessed us in every way, so mercifully protecting my husband and son from "shell and shot"..." Virginia relates the death of her mother and her optimistic views on post-war America. Includes accompanying envelope. Virginia Farragut was the wife of Admiral David Farragut.

Farragut, Virginia L., fl. 1860-1865
Jeffery, Robert Archer, fl. 1858-1900
Jeffery, William, fl. 1865
Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870
Jeffery, Anne, fl. 1814-1866

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources