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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.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 to his family

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.100 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 Place Written: Morehead City, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 April 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

The letter begins "Fort Macon is ours." Writes of the rebel troops manning the fort raising the white flag and surrendering. Believes that the 8th Regiment should be allowed to raise their flag over the conquered fort as it was rightfully their victory. Mentions the use of 50 pound parrot guns and the damage caused to Fort Macon after ten hours of fire from the union troops. The rumor is that the Union loss during the battle was 60 men, mostly from New York's 9th Regiment. Asks that his family not spread this around as it is not confirmed yet.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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