Files
Download Full Text (74 KB)
Description
A brief note to Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from their son, Dirk, who wrote, "I am doing well. I write with my left hand and Benjamin holds the paper smooth. You must not concern yourselves about me." This is followed by a letter from son, Ben. "Dirk is a peculiar fellow he tells them what they must do for him and whenever his stump is dressed he takes a mirror and examines it, telling them what to do. He has an extensive knowledge of wounds. He has the courage of a lion and doesn't want to be mustered out of the service after he is better....The first three days I was with Dirk continuously so I got no sleep... .They say that Atlanta has fallen and I am sorry that I was not there...P.S....Dirk says father had better use his own judgment about coming or not. Do whatever he thinks he should do."
Date
8-30-1864
City
23rd A. C. Hospital, Marietta, Ga.
Source
The original documents are held in the National Archives of the Netherlands.
Rights
This digitized material is intended for personal research/study only. The original documents may not be reproduced for commercial use in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the National Archives of the Netherlands.
Recommended Citation
Van Raalte, Dirk and Jalving, Clarence, "A Brief Note to Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Van Raalte from Their Son, Dirk" (1864). Van Raalte Papers: 1860-1869. 263.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/vrp_1860s/263
Notes
Translated by Clarence Jalving.
Description of the document and reference to the National Archives of the Netherlands by Dr. Elton J. Bruins.
About the collection:
Elton J. Bruins, long-time professor in the Department of Religion at Hope College, spent years collecting documents by and about Albertus C. Van Raalte, founder of Holland, Michigan and early patron of Hope College. Documents were gathered from dozens of public and private collections, making a nearly exhaustive collection of Van Raalte's writings and reflections. It is these documents that make up the "Van Raalte Papers."
Digitizing the Van Raalte papers was supported by the Dutch Culture USA program by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. The project was done in partnership with Heritage Hall at Calvin University, which also digitized its Van Raalte collections.