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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.

Goold, James, 1842-? to John S. and Abby Goold

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.05.08 Author/Creator: Goold, James, 1842-? Place Written: Falmouth, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 16, 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20 cm, Width: 25 cm Order a Copy

Tells his parents that he received most of his back mail when he went back to the regiment yesterday: "I received by the same mail an envelope from home with pepper in it, though the envelope had been torn and most of the pepper had been spilled." Describes in great detail the mail and newspapers he received. Tells his parents that he received a letter from Sammy, whom he does not "care anything about" and speculates that he is going to be a "bad boy" as there is too much "'Young America'" in his letters. He also tells them that he had a visit from Cousin James, who was looking for a letter from some of Grandfather's folks. Written in graphite.

Goold, James E., 1842-?
Goold, John S., fl. 1816-1865
Goold, Abby, fl. 1820-1862

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