If you've ever heard of Walt Whitman, chances are you know him for his years as a prolific poet.
He is also known for his years of work as an essayist and journalist, but did you know that during the Civil War, he had a job?
He was a scribe, meaning he would write to the families of sick and injured soldiers to let them know how they were doing. Sadly, many of the soldiers quickly passed away from their injuries. But it is a critical part of history many might not know!
One woman learned about Walt's other job, as her family had a direct connection to him. He wrote a letter to her great-great-great-grandfather, from a foster child in his family that had been injured in the war.
The letter is dated 1863 in Washington, D.C., making it 154 years old. This letter miraculously survived because it was stuffed away in a closet in her family's home.
After looking at the letter, she decided she wanted to learn more about it and took it to be appraised by Antiques Roadshow. She could not have predicted its worth. It is valued at $12,000!
If you think this appraisal is crazy, you will not believe the reaction one woman had when she found out the storage unit she bought for $15 was actually worth $20,000.
Please SHARE this with all your friends and family, and maybe they'll just happen to find something valuable in their home!
