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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.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 to his family

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.305 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: July 28, 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

Writes in response to a letter from his family, outraged that they have not received all the letters he has written. Gives more instructions on the kind of boots he wants. Notes that he has been enjoying canned fruit and milk. Says that he receives extra goodies when he is commanding the regiment. Reiterates his intentions to leave the army after his three year commitment and mentions that all of the officers who he considers descent will be leaving in the fall if they have not already been killed or wounded. Writes about the relief of General Smith. Believes it is because of tension between Smith and Burnside. Talks about the lack of harmony among the generals and gives a negative opinion of General Ord. Requests "paper covered literature" that can be thrown away when he is finished with it.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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