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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 brother-in-law, parents and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.074 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.1 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy

Written in Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He reports that the weather is nice but there has been some rain. States that he left his overcoat in Nashville, Tennessee with Ann the regiment's "negro woman." Notes that prices are high both at home in Illinois and in the camp. Suggests to his family what to plant this spring. Writes that he will not be coming home for harvest time as he expects the army to move south to engage the rebels. Reports that he is now in the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of the 20th Army Corps. States that Major General Joseph Hooker commands the Army Corp, Major General Daniel Butterfield commands the Division, and Ward commands the Brigade. The division was reinforced on Friday. Reports that Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forest captured Fort Pillow yesterday and the Union losses were heavy. Despite this loss he thinks the Union will win the war.

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