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.

Worden, John Lorimen, 1818-1897 to Abraham Lincoln

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02466.17 Author/Creator: Worden, John Lorimen, 1818-1897 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 December 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 23.8 cm, Width: 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Written by Captain Worden to President Lincoln. Says the Reverend Alfred C. Roe wishes to make himself useful to the suppression of the rebellion and that he seeks an appointment as a chaplain in the army. Claims to have known Roe for some time and that he is qualified for the position. Would feel gratified if Roe gets appointment. Worden commanded the USS "Monitor" against the Confederate vessel "Virginia" (originally named "Merrimack") in first battle of ironclad ships in 1862.

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