Browse Exhibits (20 total)
1862: Similarities and Differences in the Register and Standard’s Coverage of the Civil War
By the beginning of 1862, the progression of the Civil War had slowed tremendously, and it became obvious that it was going to be no short affair. Recognizing this, newsprint media both maintained and increased support for the Confederacy. Two of the largest newspapers to do this were the Weekly Raleigh Register and the Raleigh Standard. By and large, an examination of these two papers during 1862 initially shows an overall support of the Confederate and North Carolinian governments, but ultimately two newspapers' political affiliations are revealed in their reactions to Confederate conscription laws. Beyond early 1862, the Standard’s and Register’s coverage of military service illustrate differences, some subtle, and thus create different perceptions of the war effort that have important, lasting impacts on the public of North Carolina.
35th USCT: Enslavement to Soldiering and Citizenship
This exhibit looks at the men of the First North Carolina Volunteers, who would later be known as the 35th United States Colored Troops. With the focus on these men and their particular journey through the Civil War period, the goal of this exhibit is to show how, through their flight from slavery to freedom and their subsequent enlistment and service in the Union army, these formerly enslaved men gained personal autonomy and hope, while also contributing to their future argument for citizenship. This exhibit also looks at the negative aspects of their service, which became evident during the Battle of Olustee where racial atrocities, as violence against wounded African American soldiers and their white commanders, took place on the battlefield. Through this lens, this exhibit argues that the events at the Battle of Olustee were a reminder to the men of the 35th USCT that the discrimination they faced prior to service in the army still existed in the minds of many white Southerners and it foreshadowed the struggle they would face during and beyond Reconstruction. This exhibit utilizes both secondary and primary sources to arrive at these conclusions. Secondary sources come from historians in this field of history such as Ira Berlin, Judkin Browning, Joseph Glatthaar, among many others. Primary sources are used in every part of the argument and draw on both African American and white sources. The autobiography of William Henry Singleton, in particular, is an important African American source, though letters and service records of other African Americans are also used. Letter and reports from white commanders such as General Burnside along with newspaper and magazine articles from the time also assist in the argument. Many of the primary sources also come from The Freedman’s Project which is a collection of sources relating to African American soldiers.
A Civil War Soldier: Joseph J. Hoyle's Motivation to Fight
A common sentiment for supporting the Confederate cause during the Civil War included supporting slavery and states’ rights. Such national motivations indeed played a part in the Confederate soldier and the region’s decision to withdraw from the Union. However, many soldiers found personal motivations for why they fought to be far more worthy of their efforts. Lieutenant Joseph J. Hoyle, of the 55th Regiment of North Carolina, depicted a soldier with these personal motivations. His perseverance and courage to fight for nearly three years are largely drawn from the letters he wrote to his wife during the war. Through the examination of these primary sources Hoyle's personal motivations to fight can be deduced. Hoyle fought for God, his home, and his comrades. Many secondary sources were also reviewed. These secondary sources contain historians James McPherson, George Rable, and Gabor Boritt analysis of soldiers' motivations during the Civil War.
A Discussion of Rationale for Confederate Desertion
This exhibit examines the political, social, and personal factors that contributed to desertion of Confederate soldiers in North Carolina. The central focus is on the mountain region (Western North Carolina), and uses letters, diaries, statistics, and other personal accounts to argue how each of the factors listed above contribute to inevitable desertion, and the justification these soldiers had in doing so.
Chowan River Basin Loyalty
The subject of wartime loyalties can be a tricky one, with many vested interests governing what is acceptable and encouraged in society. With an eye toward controlling this variable, to what governments and for what reasons were the citizens of the Chowan River Basin loyal? The answer unsurprisingly is a complex one, with some having loyalties of convenience to cover for activities of terror, to others being loyal enough to volunteer at the outset of war for military service. The memory of these loyalties are equally diverse and contentious.
Delicate Ladies and Brave Gentlemen: The Gendered Experience of the Civil War in North Carolina
This exhibit uses gender as a lens to look at the South during the Civil War. Examining the antebellum and war years shows the formation and devastation of southern society. “Home, Sweet, Home†focuses on antebellum gender roles and separate spheres ideology accepted by southerners. The call to war created a surge of patriotism and shifted roles for white men and women. “Protect Us!†uses North Carolina as a case study to show how the loss of protection and ruin of the home front destroyed southern society. The breakdown of separate spheres demonstrated the failure of the Confederate cause and reciprocal obligation. The Civil War challenged the established race, class and gender structure of the South by undermining white men’s authority over their dependents. During the Civil War in the South, gender roles became fluid and the implications of these changes shaped the South for years to come.
Desertion in the Tar Heel State
This exhibit is about the desertion crisis that took hold of the Confederate South during the Civil War, taking a specific interest in North Carolina. There will be evidence to support two claims, that desertion was a major issue in the Confederacy, yet desertion was not any worse off in North Carolina than any other Southern state. Primary sources include correspondence, autobiographies and proclamations. Further research comes from scholarly secondary sources debating the extent of desertion in North Carolina, what reasons led to desertion and what measures the government and military took to try and prevent this absenteeism.
Goldsboro during Sherman's Occupation, March and April 1865: Citizen Accounts from the Outskirts and City
This exhibit discusses Goldsboro and it's occupation by General Sherman and his 100,000 plus troops during the weeks of March and April of 1865. It outlines the goals of Sherman while he was in Goldsboro. More importantly it discusses the treatment of the citizens inside the city of Goldsboro, and how it differed from the treatment of citizens on the outskirts of Goldsboro. General Schofield set up a security perimeter around Goldsboro shortly before Sherman arrived to prevent pillaging of the city by the infamous "bummers" of Sherman's army. The exhibit outlines detailed accounts from individuals within the city of Goldsboro, as well as the citizens on the outskirts of Goldsboro. These accounts help add to the historiography of the Carolinas Campaign, which argues that Sherman destroyed morale in the South. This exhibit seeks to show while that that may have occurred in some places in Goldsboro, there was still a will to fight a resist the Union there. The focus will be specifically in Goldsboro, and how Sherman treated the city differently than any other city he occupied. The sources in the exhibit are first hand accounts from citizens, soldiers of the Union army, and a response from General Sherman himself.
James Rumley and the Union Occupation of Eastern North Carolina
During the initial phase of the Civil War and the debates over secession, North Carolina was widely regarded as a moderately unionist state. Many in the region feared secession would ensure the destruction of their cultural and social norms much more so then making concessions with the Union. Many northern political officials would hint that the populace in the region was loyal to the Union, but ideologically oppressed under a radical regime. Initial reports from the occupying forces suggest that there was indeed a sense of Union allegiance, but as Rumley’s diary suggest people were going to do whatever provided the most opportunity. The diary also suggest continuance of southern allegiance, which is quieted by the intimidating mass of Union soldiers. James Rumley was vehement in his Confederate ideology but knew not to step too far out of line. The Union during occupation exerted control over state laws and imposed and enforced Federal political policies. Due to this, the occupying force saw a transition within those “loyal” to the Union, and the people would voice their strong distaste towards the imposing force, Rumley. Furthermore, during a time of great change and turmoil, the same Federal force that sways public opinion in the region is the same force that ensures African American advancement in occupied eastern North Carolina.
Salisbury Prison, Another Andersonville?
This exhibit is going to explore the intricate workings of the North Carolina based Confederate prison located in Salisbury, North Carolina. Ultimately what I hope this exhibit will accomplish is a better understanding of the prison system during the Civil War so that the infamous Andersonville is not the only prison that historians focus on. Although Salisbury Prison did end up having tens of thousands of deaths, the way in which it was run and the account of daily life in the prison will overshadow the unfortunate loss of life of many of the inmates.
Featured Exhibit
Forcing Confederate War Guilt, Displaying National Triumph: Salisbury Prison and the Salisbury National Cemetery
The Salisbury National Cemetery was built as a triumph to Union victory and attempted to force guilt on the former...