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.

Cowan, Andrew, fl. 1861-1887 to Henry Jackson Hunt

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.106 Author/Creator: Cowan, Andrew, fl. 1861-1887 Place Written: Louisville, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 2, 1887 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

Responds to a letter from Hunt. Discusses an article on the Battle of Gettysburg Hunt recently submitted to Century Magazine for publication. Referring to space dedicated to George Custer and Alfred Pleasanton in Century, remarks "I can see just the trouble you had to contend with, in condensing the narrative to fit the space allotted by the Century Co and share your disgust over the Custer & Pleasanton honors which have no connection on Earth with the subject. I must admit it makes me smile to think of the hot water you have got into... " Takes issue with General Daniel E. Sickles's version of what happened at Gettysburg. Mentions Confederate General George Pickett's charge and General Alexander S. Webb. Recently wrote to Congressmen Sereno Elisha Payne and Willis (possibly Albert Shelby Willis) regarding what he calls the "Pension Matter." Hunt had long attempted to secure passage in Congress of a bill pertaining to military retirement pay; Cowan wonders whether he can assist Hunt's efforts.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Cowan, Andrew, fl. 1861-1887
Webb, Alexander S. (Alexander Stewart), 1835-1911
Sickles, Daniel Edgar, 1819-1914
Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876
Pleasonton, Alfred, 1824-1897
Payne, Sereno Elisha, 1843-1914
Willis, Albert Shelby, 1843-1897

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources