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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.

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894 to B. H. Smith

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02414.053 Author/Creator: Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894 Place Written: Charleston, West Virginia Type: Manuscript letter Date: 18-19 March 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 20.7 cm, Width: 16.8 cm Order a Copy

Brigadier General Scammon of the 23rd Ohio regiment writes to Smith to forward a complaint letter from a woman named Laura Ruffner, who asked for interference in the matter of coal property. This letter is written on a portion of a page of Ruffner's letter but her letter is cut off. Scammon asks Smith, whom he addresses as "Honorable," what should be done. On verso is an autograph endorsement signed by Scammon dated 19 March responding to Mrs. Ruffner stating that the civil authorities are charged with protecting the rights of Mrs. Ruffner.

Scammon, Eliakim Parker, 1816-1894
Smith, B. H., fl. 1863
Ruffner, Laura, fl. 1863

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