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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.

West, Lewis H., 1829-? to R. West

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.36 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard USS "Alabama" off Charleston, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 July 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Says a new lieutenant arrived on his ship and that he is now again a watch officer. Says he did not want to be an executive officer, but once he had the position it was difficult to give it back. Has applied to be ordered to another vessel, but does not have time to fill in the details of why. Has received newspaper accounts from Richmond and says Stonewall Jackson is the best general the war has produced so far. Says General Hunter is to go North to reinforce McClellan and wishes it would have taken place earlier, as some good units were wasted in an attack on James Island. Part of the letter below the signature has been torn away, although it appears the text of the letter is complete.

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