Letters were an important aspect of the Civil War. They bring us a history that is personal, sometimes even private, yet always revealing . ... Often, intents and purposes of government and tactics are revealed through letters that change the “official” view presented in the history books.
Why did soldiers write letters during the Civil War?
Letter writing was the main form of communication with loved ones at home and letter writing helped to relieve boredom. Almost all soldiers begged for their parents, friends, wives and sweethearts to write back right away as there were few pleasures greater than receiving mail from home.
Why are Civil war letters so significant to historians?
War letters provide a sense of the intensity of political animosity in Indiana as partisanship reached new levels of passion in 1863 and 1864. ... His work provides a model for historians seeking to distill social history from the letters of families separated by war.
Are Civil war letters valuable?
J.S.: Prisoner of war letters are quite collectible and valuable , especially the covers, the envelopes with both US and CS stamps and various postal marks. Your ancestor was an officer, and officers were imprisoned at “nicer” facilities than enlisted soldiers.
What did people use to write during the Civil War?
The Civil War was the first time that the American military used the telegraph to communicate information across vast distances in wartime, from commanders to officers and vice versa. Since the 1840s, instant messaging had slowly entered the daily lives of people everywhere.
Did Civil War soldiers write letters?
Civil War soldiers were among the most literate in history. ... The letters and diaries written by Union and Confederate soldiers have bequeathed to scholars in the field the unusual problem of having an overabundance of firsthand accounts to consult.
Who won World war 1?
Germany had formally surrendered on November 11, 1918, and all nations had agreed to stop fighting while the terms of peace were negotiated. On June 28, 1919, Germany and the Allied Nations (including Britain, France, Italy and Russia) signed the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war.
Why do historians use letters?
Why Do Historians Value Letters and Diaries? For historians who use letters and diaries, the pleasures of reading them translate into specific reasons for why they are valuable windows for looking into the past. ... Each letter or diary is the result of how a particular writer modified or “bent” the conventions at hand .
How much is a Civil War diary worth?
The writing is very faded. But the contents is so important that I think for this diary, for the period, with the contents you describe, it is... at auction, a conservative estimate would be around $3,000 to $4,000 .
Why do soldiers write letters?
During the First World War, letter writing was the main form of communication between soldiers and their loved ones , helping to ease the pain of separation. Receiving letters from family and friends was also vital to morale, keeping men and women connected to the homes they had left behind. ...
What is the most expensive Civil War item?
The sword was extremely beautiful and intricate, with studding of 26 diamonds, and crafting from both silver and gold, with a large amethyst mounted at the top. It was sold in 2007 for a whopping 1.6 million at Heritage Auctions, making it the most expensive piece of Civil War memorabilia ever sold at auction.
Are War Letters valuable?
World War II letters, for example, carry little value and even letters from German prisoner-of-war camps are fairly plentiful. However, letters from Japanese-held POWs can fetch upwards of $500 thanks largely to the fact that they were incredibly rare .
How do you sell the Civil War letters?
To buy, consign and/ or sell in a Civil War letter auction (plus Civil War diaries), please email [email protected] or call the Nate D. Sanders Auction House (http://www.NateDSanders.com) at (310) 440-2982.
What year was the Civil War?
At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861 , Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. Less than 34 hours later, Union forces surrendered. Traditionally, this event has been used to mark the beginning of the Civil War.
How did total war affect civilians of the Confederacy?
Total war affected the civilians of the Confederacy by taking food, tearing up railroad lines and fields , and killing livestock of those not fighting in the military. The destruction also allowed slaves to leave their plantations and follow the protection of the army.
