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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.

West, Lewis H., 1829-? to R. West

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.33 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Aboard USS "Alabama" at Port Royal, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 March 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 20.2 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Says they had an easy run from Baltimore to Port Royal. Reports that St. John's, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine are under Union control. Says the army is afraid of Confederate attacks around Port Royal and has requested more vessels. Praises Burnside's recent advances.

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