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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.

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 to his sister Martha [Spohn] and family

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.051 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 October 1863 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope Height: 20 cm, Width: 12 cm Order a Copy

Reports on the continuous rainy weather. Comments on the quality of tents the soldiers are living in, stating that if they lived off what the government gave them it would be like lying on the ground with " two bed sheets over a ridge pole for a cover." Writes that three Army Corps will be passing through Nashville on their way to reinforce Rosecrans. Informs his family that a building in Nashville used as a barracks for imprisoned rebels has partially caved in, killing and injuring some ninety-five people. Hopes that his hometown friend, Ella Lattin, recovers her health. Writes that he will make his mother a ring when he finds a nice shell. Continues the letter on October 2nd. Describes receiving some shirts and food from home and spoils from a fellow soldier's maraudering. He is very thankful to his family and writes that he doesn't know how to repay them "unless it is to shoot a rebel." Reports that General Hooker is currently in Nashville to join the Army.

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