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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.

Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 to brother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.017 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E., 1843-1863 Place Written: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 18.6 cm, Width: 24.3 cm Order a Copy

Is well and enjoying good health. Hopes this letter finds him in a similar condition. Has not received a letter from home in four weeks. "What the reason is I do not know." Expects to receive one the next time the mail arrives. Has not been paid since January 1, and could use 50 cents worth of postage stamps. Stamps are "darn scarce." If he were closer to New Orleans, he could get stamps. Wants to know if Eliza received his letter. Does not know how long he will be staying here. There is fighting nearby at Port Hudson. Wishes his regiment were part of the action: "I for one should like to have the fun of shooting some of the damn Rebels, but I don't think that this regiment will ever get in a battle." His leaders had moved brigades "for fear that we would get in a battle." Thinks it is going to rain. Have had a "very easy time;" does not do much besides drill. One of his comrades has rheumatism and "gets a fit about every week." Written at Camp Parapet.

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

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