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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 #: GLC03523.14.61 Author/Creator: Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 Place Written: Thibodeaux, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 12.5 cm Order a Copy

Writes to his sister about how busy life is at camp. Damuth is in charge of pay roll and "mad out four Muster & pay Rolls this week besides making out other papers." One of the captains in Company C has been promoted to major, much to the chagrin of many of his fellow soldiers. In response to news from home, writes that "I hope Pa wont fret him Self to death" over worries about provisions. Wishes he could be home to celebrate the 4th of July with his family. Says that in camp they will march and "hear a little talking they wont have the one thing needful to make such a day pass off pleasant and that is something good to eat."

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