The Southern Historical Society (SHS) was founded May 1, 1869 in New Orleans, Louisiana by Confederate Major General D. H. Maury. The aim of the group was to preserve the Southern perspective of the Civil War, referred to by many as the, “late unpleasantness.” The Society’s goal was to open a SHS branch in every southern state and keep alive their southern heritage. That wasn’t as easy as anticipated so soon after the war. In fact during the early years membership consisted mostly of former Confederate military officers.
By 1873 with participation lagging, the Southern Historical Society held their convention in Sulphur Springs, WV. The delegates, in an effort to move the group forward, passed a number of resolutions that would dramatically shape the future of the SHS. First they moved their headquarters to Richmond, the ex-Confederate Capitol, then adjusted their group’s mission to focus on preserving the records and recollections of the war.
Once the headquarters was established in Richmond membership steadily increased and branches were popping up in individual southern states. Second and most important came the preservation of records. The Society encouraged the donation of any war time related documents to the group and were deluged with contributions of everything from letters and personal papers to maps and scouting reports. The fast growing collection led to the Society’s next step, publication of these materials.
In the early days of compiling records, the society published them as articles in their monthly magazine. A member of the Southern Historical Society paid a $3 yearly membership fee and received these articles in the monthly newsletter. It was said by Society members that even former Union officers subscribed just to read these published accounts. As the amount of information grew the Society made the move from the newsletter to a book format with the first volume of the Southern Historical Society Papers released in 1876. A total of 52 volumes were published over an 82 year period.
Notable Confederate officers like P.G.T. Beauregard, Braxton Bragg, Jubal Early and Robert E. Lee were contributors to the collection of southern records and battlefield accounts. This only added to the desirability of the Papers.
As these, and society members representing all southern states gathered information, the amount of written material grew to the point of establishing a library, which was located at the Richmond headquarters. The members continued to gather more material such as southern military reports and casualty lists. Letters and diaries were collected, officer’s recollections and transcripts from the Confederate Congress recorded. Some of the military reports accumulated were so detailed they were later copied right into the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion by the United States War Dept.
The Southern Historical Society ceased to exist with the death of its last member in 1953. Most of the collection was turned over to the Museum of the Confederacy, now the American Civil War Museum. But the good news is The Southern Historical Society Papers can be accessed today on several online sites. Just google: Southern Historical Society Papers.
One website where they are found is Tufts University – http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Southern+Historical+Society+Papers Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
When you click their link above and scroll down to the bottom of the page you’ll be able to click on any volume of the collection. As you look through each book, you’ll find the Table of Contents for that volume listed on the left with the readable contents in the center of the page. You can easily switch from volume to volume reading the sections you prefer.
For example in Volume 3, just a few of the articles listed include, Letters on the Treatment and Exchange of Prisoners, the Defense of Ft. Gregg or the Last Confederate Surrender.
In Volume 36 – I found this for Company G, Twenty-Fourth Virginia Infantry.
From the Richmond Dispatch, June 17, 1901.
A list of its members and a brief history of them.
Following is the muster-roll of Company G, Twenty-fourth Regiment, Virginia Infantry, William R. Terry’s Brigade, General Pickett’s Division, Longstreet’s Corps.
Winton Absheir, died in hospital, 1862.
Raleigh T. Austin, killed September 30, 1864, at Drewry’s Bluff.
David M. Alvis, died at home, 1897.
Isaac Alvis, killed at Williamsburg. Va.
Ed. Bailey, killed at same battle.
G. C. Bailey, died at home, 1894 or 1895.
Robert H. Bailey, living.
Granville F. Bailey, living.
Nicholas B. Bailey, living
Festus Bailey, died at home, 1892 . . .
. . . This company was made up in Mercer County, Va., (now West Virginia), and was the first company from the county. It was continued as a part of the Twenty-fourth Virginia Regiment throughout the war, and belonged to the First Brigade of the First Division, commanded by General George E. Pickett, of Longstreet’s Corps.
The brigade was commanded by various brigadier-generals as follows: J. A. Early, S. P. Garland, J. L. Kemper, and W. R. (Buck) Terry.
The company participated in several battles, and lost from death in battle, death from wounds and disease, about 35 per cent. of its members. H. G. White, A Member of the Company. (1)
Great information if my ancestor served with Co. G 24th Virginia Infantry. Take my word for it, there are many more detailed accounts within the numerous volumes of the Southern Historical Society Papers. Look for a specific battle, a certain regiment or a particular date. You’ll find entries for whatever you’re researching. It’s info you’ll want to find about your Civil War ancestor and his service.
Similar to the Official Records or The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, the Southern Historical Society Papers are first hand accounts of Confederate regiments and their activities during the Civil War.
Whether your Civil War ancestor fought for the Confederacy or the Union, The Southern Historical Society Papers is another valuable resource to document his service in the war. Dig deep. Really learn about your veteran’s war experiences. If your ancestor was a Union man take a battle he fought in and research the Confederate regiments he would have battled. Checking those Confederate regiments or dates of battle in The Southern Historical Society Papers will give you another perspective of the fighting your ancestor participated in. If your ancestor was a Confederate soldier you’ll be able to learn every aspect of his military service, from the food he ate, the uniform he wore, the battles he fought in and how his experiences affected the rest of his life.
Add researching The Southern Historical Society Papers on to your genealogy To-Do list. You’ll be pleased with the information you find! Good Luck in your search.
(1) Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 36., Company G, Twenty-Fourth Virginia Infantry. From the Richmond Dispatch, June 17, 1901. Reverend J. William Jones, Ed. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2001.05.0294%3Achapter%3D1.43 9Jun2021