Library of Congress
Loc: Prints and Photographs: Glimpses of Soldiers' Lives
A collection of nineteen original photographs of soldiers who served during the Civil War. Each photograph is accompanied by a short essay that includes biographical information about their Civil War experiences and, where possible,...
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech: Special Collections: American Civil War Manuscript Guides
A large repository of letters and diaries from both Union and Confederate soldiers, homefront letters, memoirs, and contemporary research files. Includes materials from the war years, 1861-1865, as well as materials from later periods...
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: The Civil War Day by Day
These primary sources offer a glimpse into the mentality of those living in the South during the Civil War. Included are pictures, letters from soldiers, letters from women on the homefront, and reactions to the Confederate surrender and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Civil War Soldiers' Stories
Included here are primary source documents that tell the story of Civil War soldiers in their own words. These historic documents tell why men and boys joined so enthusiastically, and what trials and suffering were endured.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Letters About the Civil War
Get some first-hand information about a soldier's life during the Civil War from this large collection of letters, most of which were written by Confederate Soldiers. There is also a diary written by a member of the 20th Indiana Regiment...
Other
A Soldier's Diary: The Memoirs, Diary and Life of Private Jefferson Moses
A treasure trove of primary source material from an ordinary Union soldier. Read his memoirs, diary, and see artifacts from his life.
University of Virginia
E Text Center: American Civil War Collection
Collection of primary documents--letters, diaries, photographs, and newspaper articles of both the Union and Confederate.
Other
Civil War Letters: Letters From an Iowa Soldier in the American Civil War
Students read letters from an Iowa Soldier in the Civil War.
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: Robert Stiles, 1836 1905: Four Years Under Marse Robert
This site from the University of North Carolina contains the actual text of "Four Years Under Marse Robert" from the memoirs of a Confederate soldier.
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: The War: "Stonewall" Jackson as I Saw Them
A first-hand chronology of James H. Wood's experiences in the Civil War. Included are campaigns of Stonewall Jackson in which Wood participated.
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: John H. Worsham
At this site from the University of North Carolina there is a firsthand account from a foot soldier who fought under the command of "Stonewall," Jackson during the Civil War. Download the full text of John H. Worsham's text, which was...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Kids History: Life as a Soldier During the Civil War
A webpage where students can learn what life was like as a soldier during the Civil War. Find out what they ate, how much were they paid, and what was a typical day like.