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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.

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882 to his parents

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06728.057 Author/Creator: Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882 Place Written: Chattanooga, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 October 1863 Pagination: 3 p : envelope Height: 12.5 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Writes that he came back to camp to find that the men were living on half rations of hard tack and beef with no other food. Explains that the short rations are due to the limitations of transporting provisions. Reports that four soldiers were killed and some are missing. Also reports that only two hundred soldiers were mustered, fifty of which are sick. Writes that he can see the rebel camp from his camp. An agreement has been made between Union and Confederate pickets to not bother each other. Writes that the pickets have been exchanging papers, but the practice has now been prohibited. Reports that Grant is in town.

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