Preserving Digital Documents from the Civil War

Archivists working to put thousands of Civil War-era documents into digital records.

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's first major battle -- which took place in Manassas, Virginia. Several events in Commonwealth are commemorating the anniversary. But Archivists from the Library of Virginia are working on a project to preserve Civil War artifacts for many years to come.

They're scanning and digitizing thousands of documents -- letters, diaries and photos. 150-year-old documents -- especially the ones that might have traveled for miles in the pocket of a Civil War soldier -- can be kind of tough to read.

"Okay, this was written may 19, 1865, from headquarters, army of the... Shenandoah maybe?," says Chuck Westrater. The military order that holds in his hands is yellow, faded but pressed, delicate cursive scrawled across the thin paper. "Three horses to Martinsburg, Va and return on business for the department, and it's signed by the commander of, and his name which I can't read."

This document once belonged to Chuck Westrater's great-grandfather, William Westrater. He was born in Rotterdam, Holland but immigrated to America as a child. He lived with his family in Michigan until the Civil War broke out. The 22-year-old enlisted in the Union Calvary and went off to war.

You can read more in an article in the NBC Washington web site.

33 Historians Worth Following on Twitter

Samuel Benson writes articles over at liberalartsdegree, which is a website dedicated to providing students with the information and tools needed in order to pursue their Liberal Arts degree.

Samuel has written an article titled: "33 Historians Worth following on Twitter". From the list that Samuel offers you will find some will known names. I myself follow a few of the historians. I really recommend you checking the list out. I know you will enjoy following some if not all the historians.

50 Best Books for American History Buffs

Erin Lenderts over at bachelorsdegreeonline has posted the "50 Best Books for American History". The categories consist of History Figures, 1600-1815: The Founding of a Nation, 1816-1900: Westward Expansion and the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and the Great Depression and 1900-Present. I personally have several of the books from his first 2 categories. So head on over and take a look.