Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Civil Neighbors To Violent Foes: Guerrilla Warfare In Western Virginia During The Civil War, Lauren Michelle Milton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

“Civil Neighbors to Violent Foes” researches the effect of guerrilla warfare in West Virginia during a national war and statehood movement, and the impact that emotions had on the people of the state. When President Lincoln won the election in 1860, secession was inevitable and war a likely possibility. At the time, West Virginia was still a part of Virginia, but old state political divisions, combined with the current national political divisions, fueled the fire for a new state, separate from Virginia and loyal to the Union. It would take West Virginia two years from the time delegates began holding …

"Impracticable, Inhospitable, And Dismal Country": An Examination Of The Environmental Impact On Civil War Military Operations In West Virginia, John Martin Mcmillan

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

“Impracticable, Inhospitable, and Dismal Country” examines the role of the natural environment in the campaign fought along Tygart’s Valley River in West Virginia during the summer and early fall of 1861. In the weeks following the capitulation of Fort Sumter, it became clear that hostilities would break out in present-day West Virginia. Divided political sentiments between secessionists and Unionists, combined with vital transportation avenues including turnpikes, the Ohio River, and the critical Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, forced the region into the crosshairs of regular military operations. As soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies mobilized in West Virginia, they soon …

0846: Earl F. Dickinson Papers, 1942-2009, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection contains photographs and papers related to Earl F. Dickinson’s personal life and time in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The bulk of the collection relates to Dickinson’s service in WWII and includes combat photographs, portraits and group photos, certificates, and military records. Personal materials include a 1938 Marshall Commencement booklet, family photographs, a birth and death certificate, newspaper clippings, and a brief personal recollections about Dickinson. Also included are artifacts such as USMC pins and a stone taken from Mount Suribachi.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Earl F. …

0844: Anthony J. Boccio, Jr. Collection, 1961-1974, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The Collection spans the years from 1961-1974 with the bulk of the materials from the period 1966-1969. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of the building, launching and active duty service of the U.S.S. John Marshall. Also included are memorabilia and personal items of Mr. Boccio including a de-classified copy of the Enlisted Qualification and Re-Qualification training materials used on the submarine.

Part 6: Miscellaneous And Bibliography, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

The Alabama claims were a diplomatic dispute between the United States and Great Britain that arose out of the U.S. Civil War. The peaceful resolution of these claims 7 years after the war ended set an important precedent for solving serious international disputes through arbitration, and laid the foundation for greatly improved relations between Britain and the United States.

Part 3: Cruise Of The Alabama, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

“The Alabama was built for speed rather than battle. Her lines were symmetrical and fine; her material of the best. In fifteen minutes her propeller could be hoisted, and she could go through every evolution under sail without any impediment. In less time her propeller could be lowered; with sails furled, and yards braced within two points of a headwind, she was a perfect steamer. Her speed, independent, was from ten to twelve knots; combined, and under favorable circumstances, she could make fifteen knots. When ready for sea she drew fifteen feet of water.”

Century Magazine, 31, April 1886, p.911.

Part 5: Exploration & Excavation, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

During June and July 2001, the American CSS Alabama Association and the French Association CSS Alabama carried out an archaeological investigation of the remains of the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama. Under the direction of Dr. Gordon P. Watts Jr., American and French archaeologists, French volunteer divers and French Navy personnel cooperated in an examination of the wreck that took place between 6 June and 4 July. Objectives for the investigation included video and 35mm photographic documentation of the wreck, limited test excavation in the officer’s quarters and recovery of selected artifacts exposed on the bottom surface. Unfortunately the most …

Part 4: Battle With Uss Kearsarge, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

“June 19: Lying off Cherbourg. Moderate breeze from the westward. At 10:20 am discovered the Alabama steaming out of the port of Cherbourg, accompanied by a French ironclad steamer and a fore-and-aft rigged steamer, showing the white English ensign. Beat to general quarters and cleared for action. Steamed ahead, standing offshore, being distant from land about 2 leagues; altered our course and approached the Alabama."

Official Records of Union and Confederate Navies, I, 3, p.64.

Part 2: Officers And Crew, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

During the Civil War naval officers were divided into four categories for purposes of berthing and messing aboard ship: cabin, wardroom, steerage, and forward officers. The captain had a private state room, and higher ranking officers had small cabins, while lower ranks only had individual lockers. This was the arrangement of the officers of the CSS Alabama.

Part 1: Building Ship No. 290, Jack L. Dickinson

C.S.S. Alabama: An Illustrated History

Classified as a bark-rigged sloop-of-war known as “hull 290,” built by Laird Shipbuilders in England, launched 15 May 1862.

The People In The Papers: The Seaman Identification Card Of Joseph Sofka, Elizabeth D. James

Librarian Research

According to the enclosed documents, at the age of eighteen, Joseph Sofka enlisted as a Merchant Marine in Pittsburgh after traveling there from his hometown of Wheeling. A frequently little known branch of the armed forces, Merchant Marines were responsible for ferrying cargo from the United States to the front lines in Europe and the Pacific, and were instrumental in maintaining supply lines to sustain the troops overseas. Merchant Marine ships had to avoid submarines, ships, and mines from the enemy, making a seemingly simple task into a deadly effort. As a result, the Merchant Marines had the highest casualty …

The Dawn Of Sowt: Oss Weathermen In The Balkans, 1944, Bryan David Carnes

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This thesis will examine the rise of Special Operations Weathermen during World War II, from the founding of the Weather Bureau to the formation of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). OSS-weathermen and their contributions played a significant role to the overall Allied victory in all theaters of operation. Concentrating on the first documented use of clandestine weathermen in Yugoslavia, I contend that Special Operations Weather was not only crucial to the war effort, but as a result, revolutionized behind-the-line weather reporting in modern U.S. military. Since meteorological data transcends alliances and nationalities; those who can accurately forecast and observe …

0828: Richard Marks Collection, 1952-2014, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

The bulk of this collection related to Richard Marks’ research as a genealogist working on his family history, including an index card file of names. Other materials in the collection include personal papers related to his life, materials related to his career as a professor and lecturer, correspondence, and published works on intelligence and local history seen in newspapers, magazines, serials, and books. The collection has been broken down into series to include personal, teaching, correspondence, published works, and genealogy research materials.

The Muster Roll Of The First Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company K, 1898-1899, Jack L. Dickinson

Manuscripts

This original muster roll contains the names, dates and places of enlistment, and the service records of the 114 men of Company K, 1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It was called up by the Governor when the Spanish-American War started in April 1898. This ebook includes a short unit history of the regiment and company, short bios of the officers, and brief histories of the camps that the unit occupied. At the end of the book is an alphabetical list of the soldiers.

0794: The Bon Ton Bullets In The Service, 1943-1945, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists copies of nineteen editions of a Huntington, West Virginia area newsletter titled, “The Bon Ton Bullets in the Service” published between 1943 and 1945. The newsletter describes activities of area service members during World War II, and published excerpts from letters sent from servicemen, news from home, addresses, and miscellanea. Also included is an index of individuals mentioned in many of the newsletters.

0789: George J. Hill Collection, 1889-2011, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection includes research materials used by Dr. Hill, pertaining to his research interests in medical, military, and New Jersey history, in addition to cancer and leprosy, Dr. Hill's medical specialties. It also includes copies of articles, reports, and abstracts written about Dr. Hill. Additionally, the collection has an assortment of historical pamphlets about leprosy.

0455: Brigadier General Chuck Yeager Collection, 1923-1987, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of manuscript materials, items, and books belonging to Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" Yeager . Items were created between1923 and 1987.

0773: Colwell Cemetery Records, 2007-2009, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of printed color images of tombstones of members of the Colwell family of Mason County, WV. Also included is a family pedigree chart and narrative of Captain Oliver Brown concluding his Revolutionary War Service.

0770: Carrie Eldridge Collection, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Carrie Eldridge is a genealogical researcher in Chesapeake, Ohio. This collection contains photocopies of many county record books of the Appalachian areas of West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, ranging from the American Revolution until the end of the Civil War. The collection also contains high quality photographs of one room school houses of Cabell County, West Virginia, an audio cassette oral history, books, and pen nibs.

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Carrie Eldridge Collection here.

0761: Marvin L. Stone Papers, 1924-2000, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Personal papers of Marvin L. Stone. Marshall Alumnus, past editor of U.S. News and World Report, Deputy Director of the U.S. Information Agency during the Reagan Administration. He was founding president and chairman of the non-profit International Media Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C, an organization that promoted free press in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. After the IMF, he spent a year in Europe on a Knight Foundation journalism fellowship, and then retired in 1996[?].

To view materials from this collection that are digitized and available online, search the Marvin L. Stone Collection, 1924-2000 here.

Relocating Segregation : The Pea Island Life-Saving Station, Jessica Caldwell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examines racial segregation through the lens of the first and only all African-American crew in the history of the United States Life Saving Service (L.S.S.), predecessor to the United States Coast Guard. The all-black Pea Island station, under Richard Etheridge’s leadership, remained the only L.S.S. station with any black surfmen from 1880 until WWII. This study will consider the geography of the station’s location on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the life of its keeper, Richard Etheridge, and the nature of the Life-Saving Service to show this segregated station provided some benefits to the men who served …

0752: Charles Edward Viers Collection, 1889-2004, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of personal papers and materials related to Mr. Charles Edward Viers. The collection is divided into three series: Series 1: Papers, Series 2: Photographs, and Series 3: Items. Series 1 primarily covers legal documents relating to deeds and oil and gas contracts (found in the lockbox in Series 3), clippings related to Viers receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal in 1996, teaching documents such as contracts and two report cards, Viers’ Marshall transcripts, Viers’ military papers and a small amount of correspondence from 1945 and 1995-1996, and Civil War discharge papers and an arrest of …

0755: John Pritchard Collection, 1864-1865, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of a tintype photograph with the following inscription: “(Tintype) Tintype picture of our family and father in Civil War uniform.” Tissue paper enclosed with the tintype contained the note "Elmer Pritchard's Fathers Picture". Also included in the collection are copies of the family’s family bible records as well as scanned copies of John A. Pritchard’s military records.

0742: John E. Wellman Photograph Collection, 1943-1988, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection is primarily composed of digital copies of a photograph album containing photographs taken by John E. Wellman, a combat photographer with the 571st Bomb squadron, 390th Bombing group, 8th Air Force, 1943-1945. Photographs show B-17s and fighter planes in formation, bombing runs, aerial views of bombs and ground attacks, and anti-aircraft fire during World War II. Other materials in the album include a 1943 class photo from the Army Air Force Technical Training School at Lowry Field, group and training photographs, a certificate signifying service in the 390th bomb group, and a 1988 color photograph featuring Wellman at …

The Killing Machine Of Exception: Sovereignty, Law, And Play In Agamben’S State Of Exception, Puspa Damai

English Faculty Research

Giorgio Agamben’s slender but profound monograph on the state of exception is an intervention into a world that is becoming more and more exceptionalist. The events of 9/11, the War on Terror, and the successive decrees and acts authorizing fingerprinting, interrogation, and indefinite detention of suspects in terrorist activities, all testify to Agamben’s prophetic portrayal of contemporary politics in which the state of exception—normally a provisional attempt to deal with political exigencies— has become a permanent practice or paradigm of government. When the exception becomes the rule, it results, argues Agamben, not only in the appropriation of the legislative or …

0728: Henry Peyton Papers, 1832-2004, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of printed email exchanges between Joanne J. Hughes and Cora Teel, archivist at Marshall University, and copies of records relating to Henry Peyton and his descendants. Topics covered include potential Mormon faith connections, Peyton’s Revolutionary War Service and application for his pension, and genealogical information exchanged via letters and attached records.

0738: American Red Cross Western West Virginia Chapter Records, 1917 - 2002, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection from the Huntington Cabell County Chapter of the American Red Cross spans the years of 1917-2002. The collection was divided into three record groups; administration, programs, and services. The majority of the administration files consist of annual reports and minutes from various committee and board meetings. The program files contain an assortment of fundraisers and campaigns, which includes the annual American Red Cross Ball 1985-2001. The service files offer a variety of information on disaster, blood, and military service to the community including information on the Canteen, which was in operation during WWI. Photographs and slides comprise a …

0718: Robert Wyatt Letters, 1715-1990, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of copies of materials accumulated by Robert Wyatt during his search for information about the Rosette family. The collection is predominantly composed of copies of correspondence from Louis and Frank Rosette, two brothers, to other members of their family beginning in the 1850s and lasting to circa 1910. Other members of the family, including Cordelia Rosette, Anna/Ann/Annie Rosette and later Wells, John Rosette, George Rosette, and George Wells also write during this time. Letters discuss Louis’ and Frank’s service in the Civil War, family issues, and current events. Other materials in the collection include genealogical information and …

0714: First Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Muster Roll, 1898-1899, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of one muster-out roll for the First Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company K, by Captain Albert L. Haston, Co L, 1st Regiment of West Virginia volunteers from May 14, 1898-Feb 4, 1899.

0715: Zophar Dean Ramsdell Papers, 1861-1865, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

This collection consists of copies of quartermaster reports for the 5th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry, including monthly property accounts, clothing, stationery, hospital supplies, ordnance materials, animal return and acquisitions, food and fuel receipts, issued supply registers, and correspondence. Due to the nature of copied materials, the legibility and completeness of materials can vary, but is overall high.