We’ve come to the end of Season 2! We’re wrapping up with a little bit more about John’s life in service and what he did after the war. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E13: Mustering Out

To The Letter

To The Letter S2 E13: Mustering Out

It takes a long time for the Civil War to be officially over in every state and territory. In this episode we take a look at how the end of the war actually came about. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E12: The End of the War

To The Letter S2 E12: The End of the War

Once again we’re talking about medical needs during the Civil War. This time, we investigate what the U.S. Sanitary Commission was all about. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, we bring correspondence from GVSU’s … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E11: U.S. Sanitary Commission

To The Letter S2 E11: U.S. Sanitary Commission

In this episode we’re talking about the roles of Black men and women in the military during the Civil War. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, we bring correspondence from GVSU’s Special Collections alive. … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E10: Black Soldiers in the Army

To The Letter S2 E10: Black Soldiers in the Army

Episode 9 is all about the election of 1864, in which only 25 states participated! To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, we bring correspondence from GVSU’s Special Collections alive. In each episode you will … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E9: Vote for President!

To The Letter S2 E9: Vote for President!

We couldn’t resist talking about how the mail system worked! While delays in communication were a common theme in Season 1, John hasn’t talked too much about the mail yet. In Episode 8, we take a look at how letters were delivered, especially as troops moved into enemy territory. To the Letter is a podcast brought … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E8: It’s So Rare We Get Any Mail Here

To The Letter S2 E8: It’s So Rare We Get Any Mail Here

This episode explains “Bushwhackers” and “Jayhawks”. Bushwhackers was the term given to pro-Confederate secessionist guerillas of Missouri, in particular, but was also applied to other guerilla fighters in Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Virginia, and even California. Jayhawks, in contrast, were pro-Union guerilla fighters. Several famous outlaws in the West got their start as bushwhackers, including Frank … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E7: Bushwhacking

To The Letter S2 E7: Bushwhacking

In this episode we delve into the aftermath of Civil War medicine. What happened to soldiers wounded in action? To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, we bring correspondence from GVSU’s Special Collections alive. In … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E6: The Invalid Corps

To The Letter S2 E6: The Invalid Corps

In today’s episode we discuss the capture of the 19th Michigan Infantry by Confederate troops near Brentwood, Tennessee and how prisoners of war were treated during the Civil War. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E5: Prisoner of War

To The Letter S2 E5: Prisoner of War

In Episode 4, we continue to talk about medical treatment during the Civil War – particularly the role that women in religious organizations played. The Sisters of Charity, Daughters of Charity, Sisters of the Holy Cross, and Sisters of St. Joseph all provided volunteer nurses. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E4: Sisters of Charity

To The Letter S2 E4: Sisters of Charity

Episode 3 is all about Civil War medicine – which is a huge topic! John was one of many Civil War surgeons, but one of few that had prior medical training. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E3: Sawbones

To The Letter S2 E3: Sawbones

In Episode 2 we’re getting into what military camps looked like during the Civil War and how John got involved in the war. He enlists as an assistant surgeon in 1862 with the 19th Michigan Infantry. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E2: Always Be Prepared

To The Letter S2 E2: Always Be Prepared

We’re so pleased to bring you Season Two of To The Letter! To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Department’s Digital Studio at GVSU. On this podcast, we bring correspondence from GVSU’s Special Collections alive. In each episode you will hear (in their … Continue reading To The Letter S2 E1: An Introduction

To The Letter S2 E1: An Introduction

Well this is it! The big finale. After enlisting in 1941, Joe has made it all the way to 1946…and is still writing to Agnes. ❤ To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Digital Studio. Joe Olexa was voiced by Kevin McCasland. The … Continue reading To the Letter Episode 15: The End

To the Letter Episode 15: The End

Although Joe may not have been directly involved in the liberation of any concentration camps, he certainly knew what was going on and talked with survivors. This episode we’re talking about the Holocaust. To the Letter is a podcast brought to you in collaboration with University Libraries and the eLearning and Emerging Technologies Digital Studio. Joe … Continue reading To The Letter Episode 14: Concentration Camps

To The Letter Episode 14: Concentration Camps

On this podcast, we bring correspondence from Grand Valley State University’s Special Collections and University Archives alive. In each episode you will hear (in their own words!) letters written by the people who lived through history and the stories behind them. We're telling the story of Joseph Olexa, a young soldier from Detroit, Michigan, who served throughout World War II.

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To The Letter

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