The Robert L. Atwell Letters are comprised of letters to Atwell, who was at the Naval Acadamy and stationed at various submarines, including the U.S.S. Savannah in Charleston, South Carolina and the U.S.S. Rainbow in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during World War I. The majority of the letters are from his wife, Lucy, in Whytheville, Virignia during early 1919, and detail how much she loves and misses him as well as daily events, like having tea and visiting friends. Other letters were written by his family members during 1918 and 1919 in Richmond, Virginia and detail daily and family events, such as the weather, illness, and visits.