As a literary genre, a memoir (from the Latin memoria, meaning "memory") forms a subclass of autobiography, although it is an older form of writing. Memoirs may appear less structured and less encompassing than formal autobiographical works as they are usually about part of a life, often a public part, rather than the chronological telling of a life from childhood to adulthood/old age. A memoir also tends to lack the more intimate focus on the author's own memories, feelings and emotions that an autobiography tends to have.
Gore Vidal, in his memoir "Palimpsest", adds another clarifying point for separating memoir from autobiography. He writes that "a memoir is how one remembers one's own life, while an autobiography is history, requiring research, dates, facts double-checked." It is more about what can be gleaned from a section of one's life than about the outcome of the life as a whole.
In recent years, with the resurgence of memoir as a means of expressing wisdom gained from one's life, many folks nowadays hold the opinion, "If you think your story is unique check with someone else before you write a script or a book and force it upon the world. It would save us all a lot of trouble and heartaches. No one wants to read a book by a dog that lived in the Whitehouse, at least intelligent people shouldn't." - Richard Markman, literary professor in an interview with the campus newpaper "Grapevine."
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Civil War :: Military
Personalities :: Civil War
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Strieby Family Civil War Letters - Among the scanned images of the original letters written to and from Indiana, is a rare letter that includes information about the surrender of Lee and news of Lincoln's death.
Meta Description: [ Strieby Family Civil War scanned letters including news of Lincoln's death and Lee's surrender ]
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126th Ohio Infantry - A large collection of letters from the men of the 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, American Civil War.
A Close Shave in the U.S. Civil War - Memoirs of Nova Scotian Samuel James Hingley, who served in 3rd Regiment Infantry, New Hampshire Volunteers, and was wounded in General Butler's Bermuda Hundred Campaign.
Meta Description: [ Civil War memoirs of Nova Scotian Samuel James Hingley, who served in 3rd Regiment Infantry, New Hampshire Volunteers, and was wounded in General Butler's Bermuda Hundred Casmpaign. ]
Adventures of Harvey Hogue - Tales of a soldier in the Ohio 115th including a harrowing escape from Andersonville.
Albert Underwood Civil War Diary - The Civil War diary of Albert Underwood of Annapolis, Park County, Indiana. It covers Jan 1, 1864 thru Jan 11, 1865.
Meta Description: [ The Civil War diary of Albert Underwood
of Annapolis, Park County, Indiana. It covers Jan 1, 1864 thru Jan 11,
1865. ]
Alice Williamson Diary - This diary of a Tennessee schoolgirl chronicles life during the Civil War.
American Civil War Collection - Civil War letters and diary entries include transcriptions and digital images of the manuscripts.
B. R. A. Scott: Memoirs of the Civil War - Never before published, these memoirs may be of interest to historians, genealogists and Civil War buffs.
Basil H. Messler Diary - Entries, February 27 1864 to January 30 1865, from the diary of Basil H. Messler (Mississippi Marine Brigade).
Meta Description: [ Civil war diaries, B.H. Messler diary ]
Capt. Richard W. Burt 76th Ohio Infantry - Civil War letters and poems from R.W. Burt.
Civil War Letter From James L. Johnson - Found folded up in a modern envelope, this letter is copied as exactly as it was written, with no corrections for grammar or spelling.
Meta Description: [ Anytime, anywhere, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Connect to the Internet with High Speed, DSL, Cable, Satellite, Voice, trueVoice, Samsung Wireless, Dial-up. ]
Civil War Letters - Correspondence from William Rees, a confederate soldier from Tennessee who survived the Battle of Shiloh.
Civil War Letters of Edward Nicholas Boots - These letters, being passed down through my family, are presented here in the hopes of a better understanding of the life of a Christian Soldier in the Civil War.
Civil War Letters of John Alexander Ritter, M.D. - Letters from a doctor while serving as Regimental Surgeon in the 49th Indiana Volunteers from 1861 to 1863. Written during the regiment's campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Civil War Memories - Robert C. Carden was born in Coffee County, Tennessee on July 4, 1843, the youngest of the five children of Reuben and Sarah (nee' Henry) Carden. On May 23, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army at Manchester.
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David Emmons Johnston, 1845-1917 - The story of a Confederate boy in the Civil War, by David Emmons Johnston, 1845-1917.
Meta Description: [ The story of a Confederate boy in the
Civil War, by David Emmons Johnston, 1845-1917 ]
Diary Henry Carl Ketzle Illinois Infantry - Diary of the 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company B, covering enlistment in July 1861 to muster out in May 1866. Battle of Pea Ridge included.
Diary of James Laughlin Orr - Entries (November-December 1864) from the diary of Lt. James Orr, 42nd Indiana Regiment.
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Documenting the American South - Memoirs and journals written not because of their historical or political significance, but because they are to the writer the natural expression of what life has meant to him in the moment of living, have a value entirely apart from literary quality.
Dwight Henry Cory - Civil War letters and diary of Dwight Henry Cory, 6th OH Volunteer Cavalry.
E.S.C. Robertson Civil War Biography - Excerpts from the Robertson Colony Collection at the University of Texas at Arlington.
G.D. Molineaux Diary - This site includes the Civil War diary of the Illinois volunteer G.D. Molineaux, as well as the movements of his unit.
Meta Description: [ Augustana Library, Civil war diaries,G.D. Molineaux diary ]
Galutia York - Civil War letters of Galutia York, 114th New York State Volunteer Infantry.
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Gaylesville During the Civil War - This is a continuation of a series of letters contributed by Dr. Joseph Gardner. They were written by his ancestors who lived in Gaylesville and Cherokee County during the Civil War.
George W. Ervay Diary - Excerpt from the diary of George W. Ervay of Stockton's Independent Volunteers.
History and Description of the Voyage of Peter Wiegand - The diary of Peter Wiegand, 97th Illinois Infantry, Company A, begins on the 6th day of August, 1862. Contributed by his descendant, Edward Wiegand.
In a Charge Near Fort Hell - An account by Captain Thomas P. Beals describing operations near Fort Sedgwick in 1864.
Iowa Civil War Page-Letters, Journals, Diaries and Oral Accounts - A variety of manuscripts by Iowa residents and units.
Meta Description: [ Letters and diary entries by Iowa soldiers describe hospital and encampment life during the Civil War. A letter from a Wisconsin soldier describes Washington, D.C., at war's end. ]
James B. Lockney, Wisconsin 28th Regiment, Company G - Two of the original Civil War diaries are in the possession of his great granddaughter Mary Lockney of Brookfield, Wisconsin and his complete works are at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison, WI.
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John Allan Wyeth, 1845-1922. - With sabre and scalpel; the Autobiography of a Soldier and Surgeon, Memoirs of doctor and Confederate soldier John Allan Wyeth. Full scanned text, part of a project by the U. of N. Carolina.
Meta Description: [ With Sabre and Scalpel; the Autobiography of a Soldier and Surgeon By John A. Wyeth (John Allan), 1845-1922 ]
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John C. Birdwell Letters, 1862 - Typed transcriptions of letters of the Nacogdoches County farmer and soldier. Letters are mostly to Birdwell's wife, discussing farming, the Civil War and Confederate camp life.
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Jubal Anderson Early - Autobiographical sketch and narrative of the War between the States, by Jubal Anderson Early, 1816-1894. Full text scanned from original.
Meta Description: [ Lieutenant General Jubal Anderson
Early C.S.A. : autobiographical sketch and narrative of the War between
the States, by Jubal Anderson Early, 1816-1894 ]
Juckett Family Civil War Letters - Letters written by A.J. Juckett while serving with the 2d Michigan Infantry during the Civil War.
Meta Description: [ Letters written by A.J. Juckett during the Civl War while on duty with the 2nd Michgan Infantry ]
Letters Home from an Iowa Soldier - These letters are part of a collection written by Newton Robert Scott, Private, Company A, of the 36th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, during the American Civil War.
Meta Description: [ These letters are part of a collection written by Newton Robert Scott, Private, Company A, of the 36th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, during the American Civil War. Most of the letters were written to Scott's neighborhood friend Hannah Cone, in their home town of Albia, Monroe County, Iowa, over th... ]
Letters of the Harvard Regiment - Extensive transcriptions of letters from members of the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
Levi Pennington Letters - Letter, dated December 9, 1862, from Lt. Levi Pennington.
Newton Robert Scott - Letters from Private Newton Robert Scott, 36th Infantry Iowa Volunteers, during the American Civil War.
Meta Description: [ These letters are part of a collection written by Newton Robert Scott, Private, Company A, of the 36th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, during the American Civil War. Most of the letters were written to Scott's neighborhood friend Hannah Cone, in their home town of Albia, Monroe County, Iowa, over th... ]
Primary Sources of New York Soldiers and Nurses - Letters, diaries, reminiscences, and manuscripts of New York soldiers and nurses during the Civil War.
Private Jefferson Moses - Contains the Civil War diary, memoirs, photographs, and other memorabilia of Private Jefferson Moses, Company G, 93rd Illinois Volunteers.
Meta Description: [ This site contains the diary, memoirs,photographs,and other memorabilia of an Illinois soldier in the Civil War. ]
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Randolph Harrison McKim, 1842-1920. - A soldier's recollections from the diary of a young Confederate.
Meta Description: [ A Soldier's Recollections: Leaves from the Diary of a Young Confederate: With an Oration on the Motives and Aims of the Soldiers of the South. by Randolph Harrison McKim, 1842-1920 ]
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Reminiscences of the Civil War - Book written by General John B. Gordon C.S.A.
Reminiscences of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment. - The memories of Capt. John G. B. Adams, written on behalf of his regiment.
Revealing Family Ancestry: The Civil War - Letters saved by Margaret Slagg of Michigan, whose brothers served in the Union army.
Robert C. Cardin, Company B, 16th Tennessee Infantry - Memories about how a boy of seventeen went to war, what he saw and some of his experiences.
Robert K. Byrd - Letter from Robert K. Byrd (Col. 1st East Tenn. Volunteers) to Henry J. Welcker (commander of Welcker's Cavalry), May 24, 1862.
Meta Description: [ Roane County TN Civil War Letter history ]
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Rose O'Neal Greenhow, 1814-1864 - In this 1863 autobiography, the Washington, D.C., socialite and Confederate spy told her story and gave her view of contemporary events.
Meta Description: [ My Imprisonment and the First Year of Abolition Rule at Washington. by Rose O'Neal Greenhow, 1814-1864 ]
Samuel J. Bradlee's Civil War Letters - Includes several letters (photos plus text) written by Samuel Bradlee of the 10th Battery Massachusetts Volunteer Light Artillery.
Samuel S. Dunton Civil War Letters - Letters from Samuel S. Dunton, 114th New York Infantry.
Schoff CivilWar Collections - Contains manuscript, photographic and printed materials relating to all phases of the American Civil War.
Speech -- Augustus M. Erwin - Speech written by Augustus M. Erwin, Captain, Co. E. 117th Reg't. N.Y. Infantry, which includes some of his war recollections.
The Calvin Shedd Papers - Letters written by Calvin Shedd, a carpenter from New Hampshire, who enlisted in the 7th Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers and served the Union Army.
Meta Description: [ Virtual exhibition of the Civil War letters of Calvin Shedd,
a New Hampshire soldier stationed in South Florida, Archives and Special Collections, Richter Library,
University of Miami ]
The Civil War Diary of O.T. Wright, 14th Indiana - These are the civil war adventures of Owen Thomas Wright. It covers his being one of the first to answer Lincoln's call, to the front lines of major battles, through his attempts to escape Confederate captors from Andersonville.
The Civil War Letters of Jakob Weiss - Translated text and service record of Jakob Weiss (Jacob Wise) 107 Ohio Infantry, Co D. Includes images of original letters as written in German.
The Diary of Miss Virginia J. Miller - This diary, from November 15, 1861 to April 17, 1862, begins on a Friday night at Leesburg.
The Letters of Noah Hart - Information from and about a Union officer in Company F of the 10th Michigan Infantry.
The Private History of a Campaign That Failed - E-text of essay by Mark Twain about experiences as a Confederate soldier.
Meta Description: [ Jim Zwick's books on Mark Twain and anti-imperialism, web sites, biography, and how to contact him. ]
The Wartime Diary of John Weathered - The exact time when the manuscript was written isn't clear but it was several years after the war while Weathered was in retirement. Bennett's Regiment or 9th Tennessee Cavalry.
Meta Description: [ The Wartime Diary of John Weathered,
Personal Narrative: Bennett's Regiment or 9th Tennessee Cavalry. ]
The Writings of Civil War Captain Harmon Root Hubbard - Personal reminiscences, including detailed accounts of his Andersonville prison stay, his eventual escape and the battle of Ft. Blakely.
Ulysses S. Grant's Personal Memoirs - E-text of the 1885-1886 edition at Bartleby.com.
Meta Description: [ Grant, Ulysses S. 188586. Personal Memoirs ]
Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the Civil War - A collection of personal papers, diaries, and reminiscences from two communities, one Northern and one Southern.
Vermont Civil War Letters - Archived letters from Elijah Brown and Edwin Horton, plus Civil War links.
Virginia Tech Libraries' Civil War collections - Includes a number of online letters and memoirs from soldiers on both sides.
William H. Johnson Civil War Letters - Letters of Union soldier William H. Johnson, a sergeant in Co. E, Seventh Connecticut Volunteers. Links to other manuscripts collections.
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William R. Lee, Humane and Generous Enemy - Correspondence between Robert E. Lee and his Massachusetts relative William R. Lee. Also includes accounts of the battle of seven pines-Fair Oaks, and an Oliver Wendell Holmes tribute.
Woman Recalls Civil War Veteran Father - Reminiscences of Effie Turner, 88, daughter of Thomas Wood Machen, who was a soldier in the Confederate Army of Alabama.
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