It’s Christmas Day, 1863, and a man is reading a letter. The letter had arrived several days before, but every time he picks up the parchment, it feels like the first time. He sits quietly in the solitude of his study, his hands trembling, his mind bearing the weight of the words on the page. His eyes, now weary and red-rimmed, trace over the inked letters as he uses the words “battle”, “seriously wounded”, and “son” to form a picture in his mind.

Join us as share the story of a broken man and the hope he finds. From all of us at the 15-Minute History podcast, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.