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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.

Stark, Lydia (fl. 1862-1864) to her brother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.42.32 Author/Creator: Stark, Lydia (fl. 1862-1864) Place Written: Baldwinsville, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 September 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

Signed by Lydia. She has read in the newspaper of the terrible battle [Battle of Chickamauga] that he was involved in. She is very worried about him and asks if he is safe and hopes that he is alright. Asks that he write to her immediately to let her know as soon as possible what his condition is. She has watched the Army of the Cumberland with "great interest" and has tried to keep herself informed of the army's status. Some of their relatives are visiting her and they hope that he will write them a letter as well. She writes that her and her family are well, as are their brothers and sisters. She will try and send him a photograph of the family.

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