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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.

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.033 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: Gallatin, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 May 1863 Pagination: 7 p. : envelope ; 19.5 x 24 cm. Order a Copy

Writes favorable news from Vicksburg that Grant has captured many prisoners and canons. He spent his birthday on picket while it rained all day and night. Updates his family on camp news and his activities. On a separate sheet dated Sunday evening, Wheeler writes about the upcoming brigade inspection of surplus tents and baggage. He expects to leave for Murfreesboro soon. Writes that pup tents will be used for the summer. Also includes news of freight boats leaving from Louisville to Nashville. Pages five to seven of this letter are a different size from the size given in the extent field.

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