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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.

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882 to his parents

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06728.063 Author/Creator: Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882 Place Written: Strawberry Plains, TN Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 January 1864 Pagination: 4 p : envelope Height: 12.7 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Writes that three fourths of his regiment has reenlisted, but he does not feel that $402 is enough incentive for him to reenlist. Reports that he has been assigned duty in the 88th Illinois, Co. K. Also writes that Grant had visited Sheridan's headquarters about a week ago. Rations are short, so many of the soldiers have to grate corn in order to have something to eat. Writes about a camp dish named "sun of a Bitch" consisting of crackers fried in grease. Expects to be home at the end of the current term of service. Includes a note dated 9th of January 1864 in which he writes about the current weather and the land that the brigade has cut while at the camp.

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