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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.

Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862 to cousin [Lydia A. Bishoff]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.40.05 Author/Creator: Foglesong, John C., fl. 1861-1862 Place Written: Romney, Hampshire County, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 20.6 cm, Width: 24.9 cm Order a Copy

Foglesong is sick. He says he does not fear his past, but he admits that now is the first time he has cared about getting home. Foglesong describes the condition of various friends from home, including Dan Swisher (who is well again). Foglesong has not been to the hospital yet, because his major told him not to go to the hospital but to attempt to get into a [illegible] House instead. Foglesong explains that he has not yet had a chance to get his likeness taken. He will soon be marching to Winchester [the 7th Virginia Regiment marched to Winchester on March 4-15, 1861]. He estimates that there are upwards of 8000 Union troops with him now. He asks his cousin to tell those at home to write to him.

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