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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.

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868 to Isora Skinkle

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.32.31 Author/Creator: Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868 Place Written: Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 17, 1864 Pagination: 3p. : envelope ; 20.4 x 25.13 cm. Order a Copy

Informs his sister that he is no longer with his company, that he has been detached to guard ordnance stores. Writes that he prefers it over staying with the company. Comments that he is not surprised that it takes two stoves to keep her and her husband warm since they are both very large and it probably takes a stove each to warm them. Complains about all the women getting married and says that there will not be any ladies left for the "poor soldiers." Discusses some of the men's drinking. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner.

Sayles, Sumner, fl. 1862-1868
Skinkle, Isora, fl. 1860-1868

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