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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.

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865 to Father

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07705.007 Author/Creator: Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865 Place Written: Riker's Island, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 June 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 24.8 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy

He is glad to finally be leaving Rikers Island, and says he would have deserted if they had been there one more week. Once they reach Fort Monroe, everyone will have to have a rifle. He insists his father draw his pay every month as it will be of no use to him.

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