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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.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 to sister and brother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.013 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Camp Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, Lousiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 18, 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 24.2 cm, Width: 18.9 cm Order a Copy

Received her letter yesterday. Never has written to Horace Rifenburgh. Has had "good living," and "will tend to that son of a bitch if I ever live to get back." Denies Horace's claim that he charged him for the harness; calls him a "damn liar." Will send home $20 at his next payday. Wrote a letter to William a week ago. Sorry to hear that Crawford was collarbone. Does not know how long he will be staying at the camp for. Has heard of fighting nearby; wants to get in a battle.

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

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