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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.

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864 to Asa W. Slayton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03955.02 Author/Creator: Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864 Place Written: Cross Roads, Georgia Type: Autograph letter Date: 4 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 18.6 cm, Width: 12.3 cm Order a Copy

Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners. Mentions that troops are tired and getting sick with lack of sleep. Chester questions intentions of Asa to return home.

Slayton, Chester, fl. 1863-1864

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