filter_framesCivil War Collection

The Western Michigan University Libraries United States Civil War Collection was launched in 2007 with 8 diaries of men with connections to Michigan or the Midwest. In 2009 the Collection expanded to include a selection of letters by Samuel Hodgman from Climax, Michigan, who served with the 7th Michigan Infantry. The addition of the letters was made possible by a donation from the Friends of the Western Michigan University Libraries in honor of Bettina Meyer, retired Associate Dean. The current collection represents diverse military experiences, ranging from a musician to a prisoner of war. The handwritten originals have full transcriptions that are searchable with subjects.

Of note, this collection is coded for browsing by categories: Battles, Military Units and Maritime Vessels, People, Places. Select 'Browse,' and 'Browse by Name.' For more subject categories: African Americans, Clothing, Death and Casualties, Desertion, Food, Health and Medicine, Leisure, Money, Music, Religion, Transportation. Select 'Browse,' and 'Browse by Topic'.

The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. These materials are in the public domain in the United States.

For more information on the collection, please contact the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections.