Our Collection

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.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 to sister

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.009 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Hampton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 November 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.3 x 24.0 cm. Order a Copy

Received her letter today. Cold is getting better; will be fine in a few days. Many on board the ship are still sick. A man in his company took sick, "got crazy," jumped overboard, and drowned last night. Gun boats have gone ahead, and "we expect to leave in a few days." Thinks they are going to either Charleston or Texas. Is currently sitting on top of the wheel house. Sees the large fort and "five or six" steam ships. After the rebels are done fighting with him, they "will [be] so whipped that they will come up to us and shake hands." Sent $10 of his pay with the letter. She should put some of that money towards a tombstone for their mother. Written at Fort Monroe

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863
Brooks, Louis, fl. 1862-1876

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources