Our Collection

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.

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863 to Amanda Wilkinson

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.060 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 October 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to his wife. Writes that they are at their old camp ground and it looks like they will be staying there for the winter. Tells her that his health has improved and he is in good spirits. Does not think they have accomplished much but they did work and fight hard. Notes that the ranks have been so thinned that it takes four regiments to make one full-strength regiment. Writes that the dead and wounded of the regiment are spread out from Michigan to Richmond. Notes that many are either dead or discharged and many of the men are unsure of how they will endure. Has just received orders to cook two days rations and to be ready to move at a moments notice. There are reports that General Franz Sigel is "thrashing" the enemy and needs to be reinforced near Warrenton Junction, Virginia. He states that they are preparing to march.

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources