Letter, Realf, Richard to Laura B. Merritt, Loudon, TN (medical inspectors, poetry, Harper's weekly, politics), April 16, 1864
Scope and Content of the Collection
Twenty-two letters from Richard Realf to Laura B. Merritt and her sister Marian Merritt Cramer of Chicago, written while in active service in the Civil War as a soldier in the Illinois Eighty-eighth Volunteer Infantry, organized at Chicago in 1862. Some letters contain vivid, often poetical descriptions of Realf’s experiences as a soldier in the midst of several skirmishes as his regiment moves south. The Illinois 88th was stationed in several locations around Atlanta, becoming involved in Sherman’s advance on Atlanta in 1864. The content of other letters is solely about his fluctuating moods, his health, his uncertain future, and various philosophical and sentimental topics. Also, two poems of Realf’s and a poem written by Marian M. Cramer.
Dates
- Creation: April 16, 1864
Creator
- From the Collection: Realf, Richard, 1834-1878 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The Richard Realf Letters and Poems are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; five folders at a time (Priority II).
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org