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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.

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900 to sister Anna

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.051 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber, 1841-1900 Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 May 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20.5 cm Order a Copy

Reports that the company landed at City Point on the evening of 5 May and started towards Petersburg early the next day. There was some fighting between Confederate and Union forces consisting of 9th New Jersey and 27th Massachusetts. The following day Confederate forces attacked Painter's picket during the night of which all but eleven were killed and wounded. The soldiers were once again met with battle on Monday the 9 May. The following morning they advanced to the Petersburg and Richmond railroad of which they tore up a large part; fighting resumed and positions were held until 6 pm that day. Reports that up to now, there have been 300 killed and wounded in the Corps. Describes Union boats on the Appomattox River, one of which was grounded and the other blown up. Reports that Colonel Martin has been arrested. Asks his sister to forward his letter to others, as this is the only piece of paper he has.

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
Painter, Anna, fl. 1840-1870

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