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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 his aunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.075 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber, 1841-1900 Place Written: White House, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 22, 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes on the anniversary of Washington's birthday and likens his service as a soldier to those of Washington and his men. Strongly expresses his feelings against the rebels and their actions: " those ambitious madmen who are instigated by Beelzebub the chief of rebels, to destroy the fair fabric of our government and bury the republic and liberty along with that of Greece." Reports that there were loud cheers heard everywhere when the troops heard of the fall of Richmond. The actual fall of Richmond would occur in April 1865, rendering this account of events a rumor that was most likely spread amongst the soldiers. Also reports that there has been an increase in the number of deserters coming in. Was given his official commission as 1st Lieutenant, which was dated January 31, 1865. Includes a cut out photograph of himself at the closing of the letter.

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
Frick, Rebecca, fl. 1803-1862

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