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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.

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818 to Nathanael Greene

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02487 Author/Creator: Lee, Henry, 1756-1818 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 21, 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket Height: 30.7 cm, Width: 19.2 cm Order a Copy

Written by Lieutenant Colonel "Light-Horse Harry" Lee to Major General Greene, the commander of the Southern Department. Written during Greene's retreat across North Carolina. Marked "express." Letter describing the stalling tactics he wishes to take against the British as he led the American rearguard. Claims the British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton left Hillsborough, North Carolina the previous night. Says militia are collecting and will advance on the enemy's right flank. Thinks it best that he joins North Carolina Governor Abner Nash once the enemy moves again and that he should delay their speed. Says Andrew Pickens, the famous South Carolina partisan fighter, will arrive soon and "teaze" the enemy. Year inferred from contents. Postscript asks that Greene send him writing paper.

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