A Civil War courtship: The letters of Edwin Weller From Antietam to Atlanta

by Edwin Weller

Weller, Edwin; ed. by William Walton, Civil War Courtship, The Letters of Edwin Weller From Antietam to Atlanta

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Civil War

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[E B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very different read than most Civil War letters home. This young man corrected the situation when someone expected him to be a higher rank by a certain point. This flies in the face of most letters both past and in wars that came far later where people would lie about their combat experience and their rank. Its also not your typical love from the beginning and seems to be a romance that blossoms over the war from a friend to a romantic interest.

[Vonze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a collection of letters that Yankee solider Edwin Weller from Havana, New York wrote to his lady friend, Nettie Watkins, during his service. Prior to the Civil War, Edwin Weller worked in Nettie's brother-in-law's store. I guess no one will ever know if they "admired" another before the war, however they were good friends, and over the course of the war they become secretly engaged. Edwin's letters are sweet, a great source of historical information, and at times, teasing and flirty.

Sadly, some key elements are missing, at no fault of the Weller family or author. While a great source of information, only Edwin's letters survived, making the book one-sided. It's left to the imagination what Nettie's replies to Edwin were. Seemingly, based on Edwin's letters, we can assume she talked about friends and parties in Havana, was jealous that Edwin had a photograph of another girl, and had other male suitors. This book would be golden if Nettie's side of the romance had survived.

Unfortunately, it also seems that a few key letters are missing. While the flirting builds over the course of the letters, there's no letter that outright asks Nettie to marry him. It's like they go from friends to secretly engaged during a big gap. It's understandable if the letter was lost, however, I would have liked more comments from the author on his opinion or family memories of what happened during this gap. The moment of engagement is kinda key in a courtship. I was interested in how he'd word his question.

Overall, it's an interesting history read, a good example of long-distance dating in the wayback. It shines a lot of light on how the war and fighting was communicated to female friends and family in the North. Edwin is usually cheerful, focuses on the good, and at times seems more like he's on vacation than at war.

[Readitnweep · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title reflects the contents: it's a collection of letters written by Edwin Weller, a member of the 107th New York Volunteers, during the Civil War. Mr. Welller fought at Antietam and Gettysburg and many other places. His regiment marched down through Georgia, the Carolinas and went through Richmond immediately after the war. He participated in the Grand Review in Washington in May 1865.

But most important, he was falling in love with the woman he exchanged letters with. Nettie's letters, unfortunately, did not survive, but the growth of their relationship is revealed in his words and increased openness in his courtship, via writing, of her.

For anyone interested in the Civil War or in society of the period, this is a gold mine of the language, restraint and morals of the period. I don't recall how I came upon this book, but I'm glad I did, as I enjoyed it very much. Also, the editor - and grandson of the couple in question - stayed out of things as much as possible. His introduction is short. His interjections, what few there are, appear only between letters, never interrupting them. He let Edwin tell his own story, and I appreciated that.

Also, if you read as I frequently do, at lunch time at work or in other short bits of time, this is an easy read. Very much enjoyed it.

[Carrie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cool memoir of a friendship between a Civil War soldier & a friend back home that turns into an engagement through letters.