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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.

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 to Maria Damuth

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.14.30 Author/Creator: Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 July 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 12.5 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Complains of boils all over his legs. Firing on Rebel lines continues and "yesterday our men blew up another of thear Forts." Rails against Democrats as traitors and tells his sister not to spend any money at stores owned by Wisconsin Democrats. Damuth has become orderly sergeant, and his pay been raised to $20 a month. Describes the problem soldiers have with "grey backs," or body lice, even in the cleanest camps.

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