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.

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916 [John S. Mosby's safe conduct pass for William L. Yurk, 5th Michigan Cavalry].

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02461.23 Author/Creator: Mosby, John S., 1833-1916 Place Written: Loudon County, Virginia Type: Autograph note signed Date: 19 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 8 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

An undated safe conduct pass, signed by Mosby as "Major, CSA." "This prisoner captured by my command in Loudon Co VA. has been sent to the Federal lines." On the verso is the certified promise of William L. Yurk (5th Michigan Cavalry) not to take up arms against the Confederate States until exchanged. The oath, dated 19 May 1863, is witnessed by John R. Carter, Captain of the 8th Virginia Infantry.

Mosby, John Singleton, 1833-1916
Yurk, William L., fl. 1863

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources