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.

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

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.14.43 Author/Creator: Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 Place Written: Vermillionville, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 November 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 12.5 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Writes to his sister about a skirmish between Union cavalry and Rebel mounted infantry a few days earlier, "we heard the canon very plain but it was 4 mils away from here." Mentions rumors that many infantry regiments have been transformed into mounted infantry, but "I hope not I had rather go afoote than to be bothered with a horse." If he could enlist again, believes he would sign up with heavy artillery. Writes about his brother John, who he hopes will not be drafted. Asks about the results of the elections in Wisconsin. Damuth received a ticket for the Democratic party from a friend, but "you cant stuff no such kind of a ticket down soldiers that know any thing." Writes that the regiment is well and proudly proclaims, "we are tough raged dirty and Lousey."

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources