Brian Rhinehart’s recent newsletter from CivilWarRecords.com discusses a valuable resource at the Wisconsin Historical Society for Civil War researchers.
Discover Civil War History at the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society began preserving Civil War documents as early as 1861, when the conflict first erupted—and their efforts haven’t stopped since. Over 150 years later, the Society’s Library and Archives now house an extraordinary collection of nearly 10,000 books and pamphlets, 1,300 manuscript collections, and over 2,000 historical photographs, broadsides, and maps.
This remarkable archive includes everything from official government publications and regimental histories to personal letters, diaries, and political propaganda. The collection also features contemporary newspaper articles, battle maps, privately printed memoirs, and even modern scholarly studies and popular non-fiction about the war.
As part of their ongoing efforts to make these materials more accessible, the Society has digitized over 25,000 pages of original documents. Among these treasures is a particularly unique record: a list of Civil War draft dodgers issued by the Wisconsin Provost Marshal’s office.
Whether you’re a historian, genealogist, or Civil War enthusiast, this collection offers invaluable insight into one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15252
Brian’s newsletter has lots of great information and tips. For example, do you know that text in a pension file underlined in blue means that the pension office found the proof they needed to confirm the claimant’s eligibility for the pension? Sign up to receive Brian’s newsletter at the bottom of the Civil War Records homepage.
Submitted by Robin McCarthy
