Sketches of the War A Series of Letters to the North Moore Street School of New York

"Sketches of the War" by Charles C. Nott is a series of letters that offer a close look at the Civil War through the eyes of a Union soldier. The author, a Captain, writes about a young soldier’s death from sickness, illustrating the personal suffering during the war. The letters describe the harsh lives of soldiers, their battles with sickness, and the struggle to stay connected with loved ones back home; there is emphasis on the difficulties of informing the soldier's family, showcasing the emotional weight of war, and the somber mood in the places where sick soldiers are treated, revealing how many were uncared for. The narrative weaves together individual stories with the larger events of the war to create a serious reflection on duty and what war leaves behind.