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.

Whiting, William H., 1824-1865 to Wade Hampton

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03516 Author/Creator: Whiting, William H., 1824-1865 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1861-1862 circa Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 18 cm, Width: 15 cm Order a Copy

Forwards information to Hampton that was obtained from a spy of General Holmes'. The spy, "Dr Vauchamps," claims "65000 men are to land immediately below Mathias point that Johnston is not to be attacked till after Fredericksburg is taken." Is not sure the report is accurate and advises Hampton "you had better not push your movement farther on the Occoquan but resume your position to be able to take advantage of circumstances." The letter is undated, but was most likely written at some point shortly before McClellan began his Peninsula campaign, in which case the report would be at least somewhat accurate.

Whiting, William Henry Chase, 1824-1865
Hampton, Wade, III, 1818-1902
Holmes, Theophilus H., 1804-1880

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources