African American History: Primary Sources: Military and Reconstruction Records

This collection consists of only the documents for 1863-1865 of the series, "Letters Received Relating to Recruiting, 1863-1868." This series consists of letters, reports, and related papers in "jackets." These "jacketed" documents are tri-folded with an outer cover, or jacket, with identifying information. The documents are arranged chronologically by year, then by initial letter of the soldier's surname, and then numerically by registration number;

From heart-wrenching personal letters to bills of lading for office supplies, this module offers remarkable insight into the early Reconstruction period in the American South. The correspondence of the U.S. Army's Office of Civil Affairs reveal efforts to foster democracy and rebuild communities in the divided and war-torn former Confederate states. The files include letters, petitions, court proceedings and internal documents related to elections. Another prominent subject is the fair administration of the election process. Troubles often arose as African Americans prepared to exercise their newly won rights to vote and run for office; many letters in the collection call for military intervention to secure these rights. Also included in this module are Letters Received by the Attorney General pertaining to law and order in southern states from 1871-1884 and records of the Freedmen's Hospital and the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company.