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.

McDowell, Irvin, 1818-1885 to Ulysses S. Grant

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03021 Author/Creator: McDowell, Irvin, 1818-1885 Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Letter signed Date: 8 June 1868 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Signed as Brevet Major. Discusses reconstruction and politics in Mississippi. McDowell writes that the Mississippi Governor, despite having no patronage or money, is seeking to defeat a new constitution. He believes that removing the governor would result in "political martyrdom," and actually increase his influence. Writes that in case he is wrong, he recommends General Adelbert Ames as military governor. Written on Headquarters 4th Military District, (Department of Mississippi and Arkansas) stationary. Note in pink ink by the Cipher Operator states that a duplicate was sent my mail to Memphis to be telegraphed from there.

McDowell, Irvin, 1818-1885
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources