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.

Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864 to John Reeser

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.43.15 Author/Creator: Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864 Place Written: Chattanooga, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 October 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 20 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

Comments on being ill today and not working. Writes that he is working for Construction Corpse Smith's Gang. Describes working at a carpenter business making $2.75 per day with boarding and good quarters. Mentions that they receive $5.00 when working all night, time and a half when working on a Sabbath, and after three months will receive free transportation home. Writes that they are putting up a stationary engine in the south part of town. Reports that the Confederate "Jonies" are about twenty miles from them, between them and Atlanta, Georgia. Comments that they expect the Confederates to attack them and of not being alarmed. Warns the family that they will not hear any news from the 51st regiment because communication has been cut off and will remain so for a week or two. Wants cousin J.H.P to come down and work; says that he can make more money clerking than teaching. Offers to purchase some woolen shirts and pants for his father if he sends him money. Says the shirts are $2.50 and pants are $3.72. Text partially obscured by creases.

Powell, Joseph, fl. 1864
Reeser, John, fl. 1862-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources