Sources

[NewJerseyBookworm]

Hello, I'm looking for books that include primary sources, that are just that for the ACW. Whether they they be diaries, letters, or accounts. Basically a book of diaries, letters, or experiences for both the Confederate soldiers and women and Union soldiers and women. Anybody know where I should start looking? Any websites that hold diaries and letters would be useful, too, or is this not allowed?

 

[R. Alex Raines]

You can start right here http://civilwartalk.com/threads/helpful-sources-and-links.18491/

 

[Dave Wilma]

Kudos to you for asking this question.

Talk to your local reference librarian for guidance in using the National Union Manuscript Collection. This will take you to the primary evidence. You can probably do it by email, but building a connection with someone who knows the system is invaluable. You can expect a call or email days or weeks later to the effect I found something that might interest you.

Even small town or regional libraries have excellent people and with so much digitized it's easy.

Did I say consult a librarian? Did I say I love librarians?

 

[AUG]

As far as books go, I would recommend any of the Time Life Voices of the Civil War series. There are 18 books in the series, which cover a major campaign or battle (with the exception of one on soldier life) with primary sources - letters, diaries, memoirs, reports - all arranged in chronological order. They're currently out of print but most can be acquired for a pretty reasonable price used on Amazon, or you might be able to find a few at your local library.