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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.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881 to George William Curtis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04385.04 Author/Creator: Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881 Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 March 1865 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 19.7 cm Order a Copy

Thanks Curtis for a congratulatory letter he recently sent. Notes that his reply was delayed due to the publication of a court proceeding (possibly related to the Battle of the Crater debacle). Defends his actions, and criticizes General George Meade, who had accused Burnside of misconduct following the Crater. Writes, "It will all come right in the end- The temporary, or even permanent disgrace of a General officer is of small importance compared with the great harm that might result from a quarrel among General officers. I sincerely thank you for your kind friendship, which I value all the more because I know it comes from a true loyal heart." Notes that Mrs. Burnside sends her regards.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892
Dodge, Grenville Mellen, 1831-1916
Osterhaus, Peter Joseph, 1823-1917
Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

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