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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.

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862 to Hannah E. Russell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.50.04 Author/Creator: Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862 Place Written: Bargetown, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 January 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.6 cm, Width: 25.7 cm Order a Copy

Chastens wife for her thinking that he is going to die and wanting him to cover transportation cost if it were to happen. Mentions that it is unreasonable for her to think that any man would go to the expense of paying 100 dollars to have his "lifeless" body sent home when his is alive. Tells her that he is alive and well and expects to come home at the end of the war. Reminds her that she has "got plenty to eat drink and to ware. So please be Contended." Reports that the rebels have fell back 30 miles and have yet to fortify themselves. States that they have 150 thousand Union troops in the state and the rebels have 90 thousand troops just on the other side of them, about 30 miles away. Request that she pray for him and to trust the Lord.

Russell, E. S., fl. 1861-1862
Russell, Hannah E., fl. 1861-1865

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