Confederate Scrapbooks 1857-1930 [Early 1900s]

Extent: 3 items

Accession Number: 2002.183

Abstract: Two scrapbooks and one printed address memorializing the Confederate States of America, and containing primarily newspaper clippings, currency, poetry, written tributes and memorials, and photographic images. Address is a tribute to General Robert E. Lee by Honorable Harry B. Hawes of Missouri.

Processed by: Jason Phinney, October, 2009

Repository: Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University Phone: (573) 651-2245; Fax: (573) 651-2666; Email: [email protected]

Provenance: Unknown, but based on evidence in the scrapbooks, it was possibly compiled by Bettie Head Beazley.

Citation: Confederate Civil War Scrapbooks, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University

Restrictions: Due to the fragility of the scrapbooks, patrons are limited to using the photocopies of the originals.

Other Relevant Collections: United Daughters of the Confederacy Scrapbook, 1861-1952. 2001.071.

Historical Note

These scrapbooks were probably compiled to commemorate the Civil War from the Confederate point of view. Scrapbooks were one of several ways used to commemorate the Civil War. Commemoration began in the years immediately following the war and still exists today. A major method of commemoration is monuments of both citizen-soldiers and officers. This method actually began during the war. Commemoration speeches were also common, like the one by Harry B. Hawes included in the collection. They were of major figures or battles of the war. Another major way of commemoration is through motion pictures such as “Gettysburg” and “Glory” (about the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment). Today, major battles are commemorated through reenactments of the battles. Commemoration has been fairly steady since its beginning and has not slowed down.

Scope and Content Note

Two scrapbooks and one printed address memorializing the Confederate States of America, and containing primarily newspaper clippings, currency, poetry, written tributes and memorials, and photographic images. Address is a tribute to General Robert E. Lee by Honorable Harry B. Hawes of Missouri. The tributes and memorials are mostly about well known generals, namely Robert E. Lee, “Stonewall” Jackson, Sterling Price, and Jefferson Davis and some minor leaders. There are also some patriotic poems and articles.

Rules or Conventions: Finding Aid prepared using DACS