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.

Breese, Kidder Randolph, 1831-1881 to Eugene Mack

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09334 Author/Creator: Breese, Kidder Randolph, 1831-1881 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : Order a Copy

During the Vicksburg bombardment, the Union naval commander on board the flagship Black Hawk sends urgent orders to gunner Eugene Mack. "The bearer of this brings fifty men detailed to work the mortars. Man as many as possible with them and relieve our men. Let one of the old mortar men attend on each boat until these Soldiers are sufficiently instructed to work them.... I want as many of our men sent back as can be spared as it will take all our force to keep the mortars supplied with ammunition.... All the iron mortar boats will be sent down as fast as possible and they are to be put in position below those now in use.... Send me word the average amount of shell & powder used per day and just what is necessary to fill upbefore sunset."

Breese, Kidder Randolph, 1831-1881

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources