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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 #: GLC07460.089 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: Atlanta, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 26.6 cm Order a Copy

There is occasional shelling from both sides. Beyond that little has changed and his regiment is still in the same locations as when he last wrote. Most of the Confederate shells fall too short or go too far to cause much damage to the Union lines. He writes that he can clearly see Atlanta, Georgia and this will most certainly be the rebels last stand here. The Union has recently received re-enforcements and are putting more pressure on the Confederate flanks. According to orders recently read to him General Joseph Hooker has relieved himself of command of the 20th Corps. and will report to Washington, D.C. for orders. Reports that General James B. McPherson has been killed and that this is a great blow to the Union Army. Writes about the many who have already died for their country. States that the regiment overall is doing well.

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