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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 #: GLC03836.43 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Port Royal, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 9, 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Signed twice by West. Says his destination has been changed from Key West to Bull's Bay, 12 miles north of Charleston. Says the damage to the "Weehawken" did not occur from the stormy voyage, but from "treachery at home." Mechanics took her machinery apart and found 50 pounds of iron bolts and old pieces of iron between the cylinder head and the piston. Says "Somebody's neck deserves stretching." Continues letter on 12 February, saying he is at Charleston assisting with the blockade. Says they might be going to Key West soon. Says he is very impressed with the armor of the Monitors.

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