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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.

De Kalb, Johann, 1721-1780 to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03758 Author/Creator: De Kalb, Johann, 1721-1780 Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 June 1780 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 22.9 cm, Width: 18.8 cm Order a Copy

Written by General De Kalb, known as Baron De Kalb, as second in command of the Carolina campaign. Written to General Washington. Encloses a copy of a letter he sent to the Board of War so Washington would know his route of march (that letter is not included). Says he put the Second Brigade on their march and claims he is setting out at this moment to come up with the troops in front. De Kalb died from wounds he received at the Battle of Camden on 19 August 1780. Some staining on verso, from what appears to be a mat border.

Washington, George, 1732-1799
De Kalb, Johann, 1721-1780

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