Documents & Speeches

American History is better understood when you have the opportunity to examine the original documents and speeches as written and spoken by the people who put the words on paper, or gave the speeches in front of dozens or even thousands. Back in the era when these documents were written, they became primary sources, not only for the people of that time, but for us as well!

From Fredrick Douglas's The Hypocrisy of American Slavery speech, to Lincoln's Letter to the Widow Bixby, CivilWarTalk has many of the most often requested documents available for free as part of our Resources!

Top resources

1861/01 - Mississippi Secession Ordinance & Declaration of Causes CivilWarTalk
"...to dissolve the union between the State of Mississippi and other States...."
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1861/01 - Florida's Ordinance of Secession CivilWarTalk
"...the State of Florida is hereby declared a Sovereign and Independent Nation..."
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1861/01 - Georgia's Ordinance of Secession & Causes Which Have Led to the Separation CivilWarTalk
"...having dissolved their political connection with the Government of the United States..."
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1861/01 - Louisiana's Ordinance of Secession CivilWarTalk
"AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of Louisiana and other States..."
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1861/02 - Jefferson Davis' First Inaugural Address CivilWarTalk
"...we may hopefully look forward to success, to peace, and to prosperity..."
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1861/08 - Report of Brigadier General Irvin McDowell  on the Battle of Bull Run CivilWarTalk
"...The hottest part of the contest was for the possession of this hill with a house on it...."
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1861/04 - Correspondence Preceding Bombardment and Evacuation of Fort Sumter CivilWarTalk
"...to avert the calamities of war, would voluntarily evacuate..."
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1862/09 - Lee's Special Orders No. 191 CivilWarTalk
"The army will resume its march tomorrow, taking the Hagerstown road."
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1862/04 - Report of Major General U. S. Grant on the Battle of Shiloh CivilWarTalk
"The enemy suffered terribly from demoralization and desertion."
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1865/07 - Report of Clara Barton's Expedition to Andersonville CivilWarTalk
"...huddled like cattle, without shelter or blanket, half-clad and hungry..."
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1862/12 - Major General Burnside's Report on the Battle of Fredericksburg CivilWarTalk
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1863/07 - Col. Joshua Chamberlain's Report on the Battle of Gettysburg CivilWarTalk
"...I ordered the bayonet. The word was enough. It ran like fire along the line..."
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1865/04 - Lee's Report of Surrender to Davis after Appomattox CivilWarTalk
"...I did not see how a surrender could have been avoided..."
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1861/04 - Robert E. Lee's Resignation from the U.S. Army CivilWarTalk
"I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance."
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1862/09 - Lee's Letter to Davis Detailing Upcoming Maryland Campaign CivilWarTalk
"...must endeavor to harass, if we cannot destroy them..."
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1863/07 - Robert E. Lee's Reports on the Gettysburg Campaign CivilWarTalk
"...A large number of brave officers and men fell or were captured on this occasion..."
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1863/03 - Robert E. Lee's Report of the Seven Days Battles CivilWarTalk
"...The troops displayed great gallantry and inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy..."
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1862/09 - Lee's Reports on Campaigns for Autumn of 1862, and the Battle of Sharpsburg CivilWarTalk
"...the result reflects the highest credit on the officers and men engaged..."
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1862/09 - Ambrose Burnside's Official Report of the Battle of Antietam CivilWarTalk
"..Our loss at this place was fearful, the enemy being posted in rifle-pits and behind barricades.."
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1863/04 - Thomas Jackson's Official Report on Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, & Battle of Sharpsburg CivilWarTalk
"...The troops slept that night upon their arms, disturbed by the occasional fire of the pickets..."
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