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Women & the American Civil War

A guide to primary and secondary sources on the topic of Women and the American Civil War, with a focus on women in Maryland.

Where Can I Find These Materials on Campus?

Books on Women and the Civil War can be found in two places on the College Park campus. The first is McKeldin Library, the main campus library. The shelves are browseable and most of the materials there can be checked out. The second is Hornbake Library, which houses the campus's Archives and Manuscripts as well as its many special book collections. The materials in this library are non-circulating, which means that they must be read in the Special Collections Research Room in Hornbake, the Maryland Room.  The Maryland Room has different hours than the library itself, so double-check them before you plan your visit. When you search the catalog, pay special attention to the location of each book, as they may be located in different libraries.

Click here for a campus map showing library locations.

Library of Congress Catalog

The Library of Congress houses millions of books published in the United States and elsewhere.

Recommended Books

Recommended Subject Search Terms

These terms will help you find items in the catalog pertaining to Women and the American Civil War.  From the UMD Libraries hompage chose the "Classic Catalog" link (under the main search box) and then select "Subject beginning with..." from the drop-down menu.  Cut and paste one of the bulleted terms below exactly as it appears below:

    General 

  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Civilian relief
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, Female
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Social Aspects
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women
  • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Women--Bibliography
  • United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
  • Women -- History -- 19th century

   State of Maryland 

  • Baltimore (Md.)--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
  • Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
  • Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories
  • Maryland -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865
  • Point Lookout Prison Camp for Confederates
  • Riots -- Maryland -- Baltimore -- History -- 19th century
  • Slavery--Maryland
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories -- Maryland

    People (Maryland related)

  • Barton, Clara, 1821-1912
  • Carroll, Anna Ella, 1815-1894
  • Fritchie, Barbara, 1766-1862
  • Greenhow, Rose O’Neal, 1814-1864
  • Gunby, Clara, 1839-1890--Diaries
  • Surratt, Mary E. (Mary Eugenia), 1820-1865
  • Tubman, Harriet, 1820?-1913
  • Wilson, Euphemia Mary Goldsborough, 1836-1896

        Battles (Maryland related)

    • Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns
    • South Mountain, Battle of, Md., 1862
    • Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862
    • Maryland Campaign, 1862
    • Gettysburg Campaign, 1863
    • Monocacy, Battle of, Md., 1864
    • Maryland Campaign, 1864
    • Fort Stevens (Washington, D.C.), Battle of, 1864

         Nursing and Health

      • Medicine, Military -- United States -- History -- 19th century
      • Military nursing--United States--History--19th century
      • Nurses -- Confederate State of America -- Biography
      • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Health aspects
      • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Hospitals
      • United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Medical Care

         Additional Topics

      • Children -- United States -- History -- 19th century
      • Costume -- United States -- History -- 19th century
      • Clothing and dress -- United States -- History -- 19th century
      • Spies -- United States -- History -- 19th century