To research an individual's Civil War military service, see Using Virginia Civil War Service and Veterans Records. The Library of Virginia houses extensive collections related to the Civil War, including manuscripts, published materials, maps, and images. These materials provide valuable insight into a critical era in Virginia and US history. The transformation caused by the Civil War in Virginia reverberated throughout the decades and still resonates today. When Richmond fell in April 1865, retreating Confederate troops set fire to supplies left behind, destroying property as well as state and local records. Union troops occupied large sections of eastern and northern Virginia.

In 1863, forty-eight northwestern Unionist counties seceded from Virginia to create West Virginia. With the capitals of the Confederacy and the Union only 100 miles apart, Virginia became the major battleground of the American Civil War.įour years of war ended the institution of slavery, altered the Virginia landscape, displaced families, and cost thousands their lives. Virginia was the largest state in population and industrial capacity to join the Confederacy, which soon moved its capital to Richmond. Information on the sources of these records may be found here. On May 23, 1861, voters ratified Virginia's secession from the United States. The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System currently contains the records of approximately 18,000 African American sailors, though additional records will be added in the future.

Civil war navy records