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.

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865 to Eleanor Hammond

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09273.20 Author/Creator: Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865 Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 12, 1865 Pagination: 6 p. : Height: 21 cm, Width: 13.7 cm Order a Copy

Letter is printed on U. S. Christian Commission stationery. All are well and hope the same is true of her and Oscar. His health is "the best that it has been since I was shot." Received his fourteenth letter from her the night before. Urges her to look out for herself. Glad that she got that money to pay off the creditors. Once he gets paid, he will send his salary home so that she can pay whomever needs the money and still have some left over for herself. He can pay the rest once he returns home in the fall. Discussed the financial situation with Fayette. Asks her to tell Jane that he thinks that "she is the best woman that is around there except my one dear wife." Also sends his love to Betsey, Samantha, Charles, and Matilda. Reminds her to keep her trust in the Lord as he does and to pray daily for him. Went with two other companies in the regiment about eight miles from camp to find some corn. Ran into about 20 or 25 rebel cavalrymen and attacked them. Captain Rice of Bath was killed and "two or three more" were wounded, but no one in his company was hurt. Received that a few more rebels were near by, but could not find them. Rice's body is to be sent home tomorrow. The shanty is holding up very well. Every day in camp is one day closer to when he can come home. Captain Washburn also accompanied them on the raid. Had to take the body of a colonel home. Did not throw away his knapsack, although Joseph "threw his knapsack away and lost his… blanket, and Guernsey threw away his knapsack." Many other soldiers did the same, also losing their wool blankets.

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1864-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources