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.

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891 to John G. Walker

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03804.09 Author/Creator: Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891 Place Written: Aboard USS "Black Hawk" off Vicksburg, Mississippi Type: Letter signed Date: 11 July 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 34 cm, Width: 20.7 cm Order a Copy

Written by Acting Rear Admiral Porter as Commander of the Mississippi Squadron to Lieutenant Command Walker in command of the USS "Baron de Kalb." Says when his escort ships are ready, he is to proceed up the Yazoo River and capture all the guns at Yazoo City. Walker is also supposed to inflict as much damage to the enemy as opportunity offers. Says General Grant will send troops with him. Says the expedition will be ready to proceed tomorrow morning. Wants him to capture steamers if possible and destroy effectively those that are sunk. The "Baron de Kalb" was sunk on this mission.

Walker, John George, 1821-1893

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources