The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers Vol. 1

Robert Henry Newell (1836 - 1901)

These are a collection of humorous "letters" written by a fictional character to a relation in the north during the Civil War. They were published regularly in the New York Mercury Sunday newspaper for the four years of the war. In the letters, Newell pokes fun at northern generals, politicians, and has hard things to say about southerners. Although Newell is rarely serious, I imagine the letters reflect the bitterness and frustration of many northerners at the time. (Introduction by Margaret)

Note: Chapters 20, 33, 43, and 49 were found to be cut short. Another reader added the missing portions, and the files were replaced on January 9, 2023.

Genre(s): General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humorous Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 01 - Letter I Margaret Espaillat
00:07:28
Play 02 02 - Letter II Margaret Espaillat
00:13:18
Play 03 03 - Letter III Margaret Espaillat
00:11:56
Play 04 04 - Letter IV Margaret Espaillat
00:10:53
Play 05 05 - Letter V Margaret Espaillat
00:06:33
Play 06 06 - Letter VI Margaret Espaillat
00:10:28
Play 07 07 - Letter VII Margaret Espaillat
00:05:59
Play 08 08 - Letter VIII Margaret Espaillat
00:12:56
Play 09 09 - Letter IX Margaret Espaillat
00:16:19
Play 10 10 - Letter X Margaret Espaillat
00:11:04
Play 11 11 - Letter XI Margaret Espaillat
00:08:38
Play 12 12 - Letter XII Margaret Espaillat
00:09:02
Play 13 13 - Letter XIII Margaret Espaillat
00:06:18
Play 14 14 - Letter XIV Margaret Espaillat
00:08:28
Play 15 15 - Letter XV Margaret Espaillat
00:05:12
Play 16 16 - Letter XVI Margaret Espaillat
00:06:20
Play 17 17 - Letter XVII Margaret Espaillat
00:08:06
Play 18 18 - Letter XVIII Margaret Espaillat
00:05:34
Play 19 19 - Letter XIX Margaret Espaillat
00:10:46
Play 20 20 - Letter XX Margaret Espaillat
00:07:42
Play 21 21 - Letter XXI Margaret Espaillat
00:11:01
Play 22 22 - Letter XXII Margaret Espaillat
00:06:53
Play 23 23 - Letter XXIII Margaret Espaillat
00:12:05
Play 24 24 - Letter XXIV Margaret Espaillat
00:08:26
Play 25 25 - Letter XXV Margaret Espaillat
00:12:03
Play 26 26 - Letter XXVI Margaret Espaillat
00:04:17
Play 27 27 - Letter XXVII Margaret Espaillat
00:09:03
Play 28 28 - Letter XXVIII Margaret Espaillat
00:08:29
Play 29 29 - Letter XXIX Margaret Espaillat
00:08:04
Play 30 30 - Letter XXX Margaret Espaillat
00:10:30
Play 31 31 - Letter XXXI Margaret Espaillat
00:08:56
Play 32 32 - Letter XXXII Margaret Espaillat
00:15:57
Play 33 33 - Letter XXXIII Margaret Espaillat
00:04:42
Play 34 34 - Letter XXXIV Margaret Espaillat
00:14:39
Play 35 35 - Letter XXXV Margaret Espaillat
00:13:39
Play 36 36 - Letter XXXVI Margaret Espaillat
00:08:45
Play 37 37 - Letter XXXVII Margaret Espaillat
00:08:13
Play 38 38 - Letter XXXVIII Margaret Espaillat
00:15:01
Play 39 39 - Letter XXXIX Margaret Espaillat
00:08:07
Play 40 40 - Letter XL Margaret Espaillat
00:09:14
Play 41 41 - Letter XLI Margaret Espaillat
00:08:44
Play 42 42 - Letter XLII Margaret Espaillat
00:07:11
Play 43 43 - Letter XLIII Margaret Espaillat
00:14:07
Play 44 44 - Letter XLIV Margaret Espaillat
00:09:52
Play 45 45 - Letter XLV Margaret Espaillat
00:11:28
Play 46 46 - Letter XLVI Margaret Espaillat
00:09:08
Play 47 47 - Letter XLVII Margaret Espaillat
00:07:35
Play 48 48 - Letter XLVIII Margaret Espaillat
00:09:56
Play 49 49 - Letter XLIX Margaret Espaillat
00:09:19
Play 50 50 - Letter L Margaret Espaillat
00:15:15
Play 51 51 - Letter LI Margaret Espaillat
00:18:11
Play 52 52 - Letter LII Margaret Espaillat
00:13:11