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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.

Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01711 Author/Creator: Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 November 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 35 x 22 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to inform Knox that despite his generous offer to bring his family to West Point, "I must again from urgent and impossible family reason beg leave of absence for the winter." Says that if it is not in Knox's power to grant his request, perhaps a few lines written to General George Washington would be able to help. Declares that he has children to look after, and is debilitated in health due to heavy military service, for which the country has not shown its gratitude. Adds that General Washington's suggestion that "two field officers should remain with a regiment" suggests that West Point has become a "frontier" a subtle enemy could exploit, should they mean to prosecute a war. Argues, however, that he is residing near camp so he could be of service if necessary.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Bauman, Sebastian, 1739-1803
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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