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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 #: GLC03836.46 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard the USS "Ladona" at Port Royal, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter Date: 12 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 24.6 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Might be an incomplete letter. Says the recent attack on Charleston was unsuccessful. Describes the battle in detail. Says "The result of this action is mortifying, but as I never felt very sanguine of it's success I can't say I am disheartened."

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