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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.

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904 to Eunice Lombard Edwards

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02163.08 Author/Creator: Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904 Place Written: Brandy Station, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 January 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 22.8 x 14.1 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his mother from head quarters, 37th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Appears to have been written the same day as GLC02163.06 and .07. Notes that he received a letter from his mother upon his return (from visiting his wife, Annie). His comments suggest that Annie will visit his mother (in Springfield, Massachusetts). Remarks, "Every true woman ought to treat with scorn any able bodied young man who stays at home in a safe place to make money while his Country is in peril We have for more to do than to fight for ourselves we must fight to leave the blessing of freedom to our children... as we received it from our sires of the Revolution but without the foul blot of slavery... you see I am now a thorough 'Black Republican' Abolitionist well this war is a good school to make them." Facetiously instructs his mother: "Please make Annie behave herself... Shut her up in a dark closet of she dont mind and whip her good for me..." Sends his love to family.

Edwards, Oliver, 1835-1904
Edwards, Eunice Lombard, 1797-1875
Edwards, Annie, fl. 1863

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