Walt Whitman's Letters to Soldiers

The transcript discusses a letter written by Walt Whitman during the Civil War to a family member of the speaker. Whitman, known for helping injured soldiers by writing letters for them, wrote this particular letter for a young man who died shortly after. The letter, dated 1863, is analyzed for its content and handwriting, confirming Whitman's involvement. Despite the rarity of such letters, as they were often not preserved, this one holds significant value, estimated between $8,000 to $12,000.

Who wrote the letter to the narrator's ancestor during the Civil War?

• Mark Twain

• Walt Whitman

• Robert Frost

• Emily Dickinson

What role did Walt Whitman play during the Civil War?

• A general

• A scribe for injured soldiers

• A nurse

• A soldier

What was the fate of the young man for whom the letter was written?

• He died shortly after the letter was written

• He became a famous writer

• He survived the war

• He returned home safely

Why did Walt Whitman decide to help soldiers during the Civil War?

• He witnessed the war's devastation

• He was hired by the government

• He wanted to find his brother

• He was drafted into the army

What did Whitman do for soldiers who were too sick to write home?

• He sent them home

• He read them stories

• He provided medical care

• He wrote letters for them

Who was the letter signed by?

• Walt Whitman

• A fellow soldier

• Albion Hubbard

• The young man's family

What did the young man request in his letter?

• More food

• Family to visit him

• Long letters from his family

• A new uniform

What health issue did the young man mention in the letter?

• A broken leg

• A headache

• A fever

• Diarrhea

Why are letters like the one written by Whitman rare?

• They were not considered valuable

• They were destroyed in the war

• They were not saved by families

• They were written in code

What is the estimated value of the letter?

• $1,000 to $2,000

• $5,000 to $7,000

• $15,000 to $20,000

• $8,000 to $12,000