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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 #: GLC08914.026 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: May 19, 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 15.5 cm, Width: 20.6 cm Order a Copy

Describes how the Confederates look: "like Hell. They don't wear no uniform they wear Citizen [civilian] clothes and rags." Many look "half starved." Has written a lot today. Has heard talk that the regiment is going up to Port Hudson along with their entire brigade. "We will have some fun" there. "Would rather fight than eat." Written at Camp Parapet.

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

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