Our Collection

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.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 to brother

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.010 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Steamer Osaga, Mississippi River Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 December 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.6 x 25.8 cm. Order a Copy

Is well; hopes these lines find him healthy too. Left Fort Monroe on December 1 by ship. "Out on the ocean eight days out [of] sight of land." Sailed to New Orleans. Could not dock because many were sick with the measles. Heard (falsely) that Richmond was taken. There are more oranges in New Orleans "than you can shake a stick at." Crossed the Mississippi the day before to see the orchards; ate 20 oranges. Apologizes for not writing more. No year listed, based on content and location.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863
Brooks, Louis, fl. 1862-1876

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources