Research Guides: Armed Conflicts &amp; the Military in the Special Collections Research Center: Civil War

Access Tools

Special Collections Research Center Access Tools: There are a variety of tools available to guide you in finding materials in the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). Don't forget that you also may come into the SCRC in person. Please email spcoll@wm.edu to make an appointment.

Civil War Resources in the Special Collections Research Center

Swem Library
The Civil War holdings of Swem Library are comprehensive. Enlisted men, non-combatants, and women are documented in the manuscripts collections. Both sides of the conflict are well represented, although there are more Confederate manuscript sources because of the large number of Virginia family papers held by the library. Please keep in mind that the general collections of Swem Library also support research in this subject area, including newspapers, magazines, government documents, published memoirs, etc.
Civil War Guide
Scholars interested in social issues and civilian affairs may find the Civil War guide especially helpful (this link will direct you to an entirely different guide, one that focuses on the Civil War).
African-American Studies Resources Guide
The African-American Studies Resources guide includes a section on the Civil War, which highlights collections related to slavery and African-Americans during the antebellum and Civil War eras.