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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.

Memoriam of Capt. G. T. Burch

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05987.17 Author/Creator: Place Written: Atlanta, Georgia Type: Broadside Date: 15 July 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 30.2 cm, Width: 16.5 cm Order a Copy

Broadside created as a memoriam for Captain George Tilley Burch of Co. I, 29th Georgia Regiment who was killed in the Battle of Atlanta. Died at City Hall Hospital on 13 July 1864 from wounds that pierced both his knees in a charge near Kenesaw Mountain. Says he was a graduate of Mercer College in 1861. Joined the army at Savannah, Georgia in August or September 1861 for a 3-year-term. Showed extreme fortitude during the Mississippi campaign and kept up his command in trying circumstances. Says he scorned "screening" himself during battle. Claims as an officer he was "strict, but ever just, positive, but kind as a brother. Claims he lived an honorable life with his Bible as his constant companion. Two other items included in the file: a letter from Burch's sister, "J.S.B." to "Emma," a cousin for whom Burch had great fondness (14.7 x 11.1 cm) and a newspaper obituary (20.3 x 6.3 cm). Letter says she is sending Emma and Annie the promised obituary. Says "brother always expressed much love for his 'little cousins' & was so gentle."

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