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 sister

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.011 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 December 1862 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 19.9 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Apologizes for having not kept up contact with her, but sits down to write her a few lines. Letter is stamped with a shield covered with the stars and stripes. Is well; hopes she is too. Has "lots of fun" in New Orleans. Caught a young alligator on Monday. Shot a wild goose and lots of ducks yesterday. Got a few oranges too, so "we live high." Asks her to write him. No year listed, based on content and location.

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

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources