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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.

Hesner, D.S., 1862 to Sarah Ogden

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.050 Author/Creator: Hesner, D.S., 1862 Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 November 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope Height: 19.9 cm, Width: 12.8 cm Order a Copy

Writes from Camp Convalescent. Describes his journey from the hospital to the camp, mentioning his stop in Washington and his boat trip to Alexandria. Notes he had some difficulty locating the camp. Describes his living situation in the camp, which is comfortable. However, medical accommodations are lacking, and the men have to take care of themselves. Says if necessary, they can purchase a ticket at headquarters and get a prescription for medicine. Many of the men are ill, and he believes they should be in hospitals. States between fifty and seventy-five discharges are issued each day, and many men die from lack of care. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

Ogden, Sarah Morris Perot, 1831-1912

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