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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.

to his brother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09370 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 27, 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

Re Burnside's ill-fated "Mud March." Firsthand account by a soldier in the 1st Mass. Volunteers, who writes to his brother: "…nor did our movement benefit the 'Glorious Cause' in the least, except it cause Burnside to be removed and a better man put in his boots, Say McClellan and then the movement will be of a vast benefit to that suffering part of the community known as the Army of the Potomac. I don't know as I am much the worse off now for the jaunt through the mud, and if Burnside be removed I will not complain but I think I got off cheaply, for it was about time for another slaughter, but kind providence interceded, stretched out her hand and lo the army was stuck fast in the mud, thus saving many lives from being sacrificed."

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