Subject Guide to Resources for Civil War Research

Overview of Civil War Resources

This guide includes both primary and secondary source resources about the American Civil War (1861-1865). Manuscripts must be used in the Dougherty Reading Room. To schedule an appointment or for more information, email spcoll@appstate.edu.

Secondary Source Pathfinders

If you are beginning your research, it may be helpful to start with these guides to related secondary sources. Pathfinders were created by Appalachian Studies graduate students. Exhaustive bibliographies on these topics are available in print in Special Collections.

Manuscript Collections

Many of these manuscript collections contain photocopies of correspondence and diaries from the American Civil War era (1861-1865) rather than original materials. When possible, the location of the original materials is noted. Collections are listed alphabetically by collection name and are available for use in the Dougherty Reading Room.

255. Keith Blalock Collection of Papers, 1895-1913

Extent: 0.25 linear feet (1 box)

Keith Blalock served in the 26th North Carolina Regiment, C.S.A. The collection includes photocopies of government documents regarding Keith Blalock's attempt to receive a veteran's pension. The originals are on file at the National Archives and Records Administration.

408. Benjamin Crouse Papers, 1862-1864

Extent: 1 folder

Benjamin Crouse served in the 61st Regiment of the North Carolina Infantry, C.S.A. This collection of nine letters provide insight into Crouse's camp movements and health. Crouse mentions fellow infantrymen and expectations for the outcome of the war.

174. Paul Fink Collection, 1663-1974

Extent: 0.25 linear feet (1 box)

This collection contains a combination of original documents and photocopies including slave sale bills, emancipation records, and court documents, collected by Paul Fink, a Jonesborough, Virginia historian.

361. Graham Family Papers, 1825-1875, 1998

Extent: 0.25 linear feet (1 box)

Giles Graham was a cattle broker from Ashe County, North Carolina. The collection consists of microfilmed documents including correspondence, receipts, a day book, Graham's orders to report for army duty in 1864, and his 1865 loyalty oath.

168. G. W. F. Harper Family Diary Transcriptions, 1846-1921

Extent: 2.0 linear feet (4 boxes)

This collection includes photocopies of typewritten transcriptions of the diaries of Major G.W.F. Harper, his wife Ella Rankin Harper and his sister-in-law Emma Rankin. Original diaries are housed at the University of North Carolina in the G. W. F. Harper Papers. Major George Washington Finlay Harper served in the 58th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, C.S.A.

392. Harper-Beall Family Papers, 1826-1959

Extent: 1.5 linear feet (3 boxes)

The Harper-Beall Family Papers consist of nineteenth century correspondence, medical advertisements, and financial documents from the Beall and Harper families of Lenoir, North Carolina and Davidson County, North Carolina. The papers include correspondence describing women's activities during the war, descriptions of camp life, and military intrigue.

222. John R. Hodges Papers, 1841-1905

Extent: 1 folder

John R. Hodges of Middle Cane, North Carolina was a farmer and justice of the peace. His papers include his 1865 pledge to the United States and documents regarding Watauga County Confederate soldiers.

382. Horton Family Papers, 1790-1932

Extent: 1 linear foot (2 boxes)

The Horton Family Papers are a collection of documents accumulated by the Horton family of Watauga County, North Carolina. The papers include original war pension papers reflecting Captain J. Horton's service in the North Carolina Volunteers.

495. Kirby and Eller Family Letters, 1826-1938

Extent: 0.25 linear feet

The Kirby and Eller Family Letters contain correspondence between the Kirby and Eller families of Ashe County, North Carolina. The letters focus mainly on day-to-day events such as planting and harvesting crops, health and illness, and household tasks, but also include references to the Civil War.

175. Thomas Lenoir Papers, 1837-1896

Extent: 0.25 linear feet (1 box)

Thomas Lenoir served in Company F, 25th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. His papers include photocopies of a diary and correspondence detailing Lenoir's life as a member of the Confederate army as well as the experiences of his family. Location of the original documents is unknown.

436. J. M. Mason Collection, 1888

Extent: 1 folder

James M. Mason served in the Confederate Army and later served as a member of the West Virginia Tax Commission. Mason was also part of the movement to repay war debt to Virginia. This collection consists of a letter that served as a report to the Commission.

231. Isaac Sansbury Diary, 1864

Extent: 1 item

Sansbury's diary chronicles his service with the 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, C.S.A.

146. Adam Staley Southern Claims Commission Records, 1873-1897

Extent: 1 folder

Adam Staley resided in the Reddies River community in central Wilkes County, North Carolina. The collection includes photocopies of Staley's claim to the Southern Claims Commission for damages received during the Civil War. The originals are on file at the National Archives and Records Administration.

Additional Resources

The following materials are available in the Special Collections Open Stacks on microfilm. These materials are also searchable in the library catalog. The original materials are located at various other institutions, as noted in their catalog records.

Eleventh Census of the United States, 1890

Schedules enumerating Union veterans and widows of Union veterans of the Civil War, by state.

 

Service Records and Muster Rolls

Southern Claims Commission

 

Zebulon Baird Vance

Zebulon Vance (1830-1894) was Governor of North Carolina from 1862-1865.