Collections

Journal authored by James B.C. Vale of Company D, West Virginia 4th Infantry. Compiled in 1891 from a diary kept during the Civil War, it records in some detail operations of his unit in the period June 27, 1861 (when he enlisted) to October 31, 1862. It consists of an introduction (page 1), muster roll (pages 2-5, including names, ranks, enlistement dates, and notes), and narrative (pages 6-15). The narrative regards campaigns in western Virginia, mostly in the vicinity of the Kanawha Valley, in 1861 and 1862, including considerable detail regarding troop movements. Subjects include disease (measles), fighting, military maneuvers, reconnaissance, skirmishing, weather, etc; locations mentioned include Camp Piatt, Point Pleasant, Fort Lightburn, Big Sandy River, Tug Fork, the McDowell Court House, Sissonville, and Ravenswood, among other locations and geographic features. There is brief mention of the 34th Ohio Zouaves under Colonel Piatt. There are also three uncited clippings, including one listing West Virginia units that served during the Civil War, one regarding the Vicksburg campaign, and a third regarding Camp Ford Prison in Texas. James B.C. Vale was born in Meigs County, Ohio, on October 18, 1840.

Letter of John Ewing, Corporal of the 16th Ohio Infantry, to his wife and children, written from the Kanawha Valley in the vicinity of Charleston, (West) Virginia (2 November 1862). Ewing writes that he is in good health and describes recent encounters with Confederate troops. He describes in detail his experience as a Confederate prisoner, including a time he saw a "Company" of Indians with the Confederates. He also remarks on the opinions, mood, and character of the Confederate soldiers he met while in captivity. Ewing writes about conditions and happenings at the Union camp where he was currently stationed. The collection includes a transcript of the letter.

Materials collected by Roy Bird Cook regarding General Joseph Andrew Jackson Lightburn. Includes letters sent to Dr. Bird regarding General Lightburn and the Lightburn family, newspaper clippings regarding Lightburn and the Civil War in West Virginia, two maps, a pamphlet, and other material. See the "Historical Note" for further information about General Lightburn.

Records relating to the history of southeastern West Virginia. Most of the items in the collection relate to Greenbrier and/or Monroe County. Includes antebellum (1833-1850; 7 items), Civil War (1861-1863; 4 items), and postbellum (1886-1933; 9 items) materials. Antebellum material includes a land suit, an estate report and schedule, other financial documents, and personal letter. Civil War material includes four letters authored by Confederate soldiers. Two of these letters describe the battle of Carnifex Ferry. Family names Sharitz and Yonce appear in three of the letters. Postbellum material includes pharmacy receipts, personal letters, programs, and a photograph.

Letters of William Ludwig, a soldier with the Thirty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The letters are to his father, Charles Ludwig, and his brother, George, both in Cincinnati, Ohio, from various camps in West Virginia. This collection also contains a record book of the regiment compiled in 1885 by Alex S. Oliver of Company "G", and a newspaper article, written in 1889, presenting a short history of the regiment.