This letter was part of a bible distribution/letter writing program by a Sunday school in Ohio to wounded Civil War soldiers. This particular letter was written in 1864 by a girl and addressed to a general "sick and wounded soldier." The letter begins very nicely as she reassures the soldier that the people back home care for them and are trying to raise funds at programs like Sanitary Fairs. She even attempts to create a connection by referencing her own brother in the hospital.
But then, she turns the subject to Christianity and brings up Jesus in an almost aggressive manner. At the time, many Americans were Christian and it may have been a comforting topic for them, but for non-christians, assuming they want to be Christian would not be the most supportive message at such a difficult time. The simple act of writing the letter by hand would lessen the formulaic feel of how the letter is organized.
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