Love and Valor: One Couple's Intimate Civil War Letters

Tony Award-winner Brian Dennehy narrates this documentary centered on the letters exchanged between a Union captain and his wife during the Civil War, and based on the book by author Charles F. Larimer (who directs and provides additional narration). A former teacher, farmer, and abolitionist, Iowa native Jacob Ritner left his wife Emeline and four children behind to fight for the Union once the war broke out. As Jacob struggled with the pain of seeing his friends and fellow soldiers killed on the battlefield, Emeline faced the daunting task of maintaining the family farm while raising a family. In addition to revealing the moving contents of the actual letters exchanged between Jacob and Emeline, Larimer (their great-great grandson) shares the curious circumstances of how he happened upon the incredible historical artifacts, and tells the stories of the people involved while showing us where they were ultimately laid to rest.