Love and Valor : Intimate Civil War Letters Between Captain Jacob and Emeline Ritner

by Charles F. Larimer

Throughout the Civil War, Captain Jacob Ritner and his wife exchanged an extraordinary series of letters vividly depicting both life on the battlefield and at the home front. Jacob recounts in compelling detail most of the major military events of the Western Wilson's Creek, Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, the Atlanta Campaign including the Battle of Atlanta, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Occupation of Savannah, and the Carolina's Campaign. Emeline movingly records the lives of those left behind. Theirs is also the story of a family of Iowa abolitionists whose patriarch wrote on the day of the Emancipation "... if we as a nation refuse to acknowledge the rights of the black man then it may cost us our national existence." Here is an unforgettable saga, a part of our national legacy.

Genres: Civil War, History

Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Tamara Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On April 12, 1861, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, the first shot was fired in what would become known as the War of the Rebellion, and later, the American Civil War. Shortly after, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 men to aid in the suppression of the rebellion against the government of the United States. In Iowa, Jacob Ritner was one of these men who answered that call and joined the newly formed 1st Iowa Infantry, to serve an enlistment term of three months. During this time, and his enlistments to follow, Jacob and his wife Emeline wrote numerous letters to each other. In these letters, compiled by Ritner’s great great Grandson, Charles Larimer, the couple discuss everything from the war to their children’s ailments. They express their longing for each other and the hardships each faces because of Jacob’s decision to serve his country. Though very much a novel of the Civil War, this work touches on themes still very timely. When a married soldier deploys, the partner left behind must somehow keep their life moving along. They must tend to the children, see to the house, and work hard at their own tasks. The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems.

It would be easy to discount this work as simply another gathering of material about Civil War military history. It is so much more. Because we have Emeline’s answering letters to Jacob’s, it is a rare look at domestic history in this time in a woman’s own voice. We hear her fears and joys firsthand. We also have abolitionist history, social history, medical history, and so much more. This is truly a gold mine for researchers!

Love and Valor by Charles Larimer is a multi-layered, long researched work that defies easy categorization. On one hand, it is an epistolary non-fiction love story. Letters between Captain Jacob Ritner and his wife Emeline are loving and full of longing and deep emotion. It is also an important research document. Larimar has spent years compiling the letters as well as other historical documents which help to make this book a vital resource for scholars of the American Civil War. His numerous, careful annotations help to place the letters in a larger historical context. At its very basic core, this book is one man’s tireless and determined genealogy project that very quickly took on a life of its own and grew into something even he could not have foreseen when he began. His work has contributed greatly to the scholarship of the Civil War period.

[Deborah Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

.Love and Valor is a deeply moving window into the personal lives of those touched by the Civil War. Through Jacob Ritner’s military experiences and Emeline Ritner’s letters from home, the book captures both the bravery on the battlefield and the quiet courage of those who stayed behind.

The correspondence is heartfelt and authentic, illustrating sacrifice, love, and resilience during one of America’s most turbulent periods. A touching read for history lovers and anyone drawn to personal stories of endurance, devotion, and the human side of war.

[Denise Hartley]

Great Civil War book. Captain Jacob gives good description of "Life as a Union Soldier". It is interesting how much they had to pay for their own food and lodging (when it was available!)

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't actually finish it all, the idea is wonderful. The letters are so repetitive that it became a chore to read.

[Dana Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for over 15 years --- the author came to my high school and I was so interested in the story as he was telling us about it....unfortunately, 17 year old me wasn't that interested in history-topics such as the Civil War, so I didn't read it until now. And I'm glad I did because I definitely could appreciate it more.

It's obvious how much time the author spent putting the material together to have a cohesive story about the Civil War and what people experienced during that time period. Through Jacob's letters, you can feel like you're actually there with him as he's writing to his wife while on the battlefields. It's a great story -- if you're a history buff and also like a love story, this is a good book for you.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Love and Valor" Review"

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What a coup for the editor (who happens to be a descendant of Emeline and Jacob) to have letters from both sides of this correspondence. So often we don't know what one of the parties is responding to - here the correspondence is about as complete as it will get. Very interesting.

[Becky Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of letters written by an IA Civil War soldier to his wife. The author (the soldier's great-great grandson) was also able to find a number of reply letters from the wife. Capt. Ritner was a good writer and his desciptions of battles and living conditions are fascinating and horrifying. Also a lot of reminders of how many people died of routine illness at that time.

[Jessica Jewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The letters between this couple were honest, beautiful and moving. I have read this book a number of times and I have never grown tired of it.