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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 brother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.018 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 March 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 19.4 cm, Width: 23.7 cm Order a Copy

Stationery is stamped with a colored series of stars with a shield bearing the stars and stripes in the middle. Glad to hear he is enjoying good health. Is also well. "Had a battle" on the Yazoo River; "captured 26 rebel vessels" and burnt six more. Does not think he can "get away," but is not worried; does not think the war will last long. "We will be back before next winter." This is the first letter he has received from home in "about three months." Apologizes for not writing more. Written at Camp Parapet.

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

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