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Slide photographs (27 items) of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) taken by Robert T. Howe. Slides show the canal at various locations, including Morgantown, West Virginia; Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Wheeling, West Virginia; Georgetown, D.C.; Sharpsburg, Maryland; Williamsport, Maryland; Antietam, Maryland; Hancock, Maryland; and Great Falls, Virginia.

An ALS from a Union officer "George" to his wife "Fannie" describing, in the form of a diary, a diversionary campaign into the Shenandoah Valley, 10, December - 25, December 1863. The purpose of their maneuver, which he calls "the Valley Expedition," was "to divert attention from Gen. Averill while he was making a raid up through Staunton, Virginia." The expeditionary force of about 1,600 was large enough not to fall prey to guerrillas but too small to actively engage the regular Confederate army locally under the command of Gen. Jubal Early. They successfully preoccupied and eluded the forces of Gen. Early and his diary gives details of how this was accomplished, the social conditions and attitudes of the Valley's inhabitants and the common hardships of military camps. He had not written sooner because the expedition had been under strict orders to cut off communication lines to its headquarters and home base at Harpers Ferry. Also they were not expected to return from what was considered a suicide mission.

A Civil War soldier's letter to his brother from Camp Hill, Harper's Ferry, (West) Virginia, 1863 February 28; a Christmas menu from Hill's Central Hotel, Parkersburg, West Virginia, ca. 1879; and a campaign ribbon from the West Virginia Democratic State Convention, Parkersburg, West Virginia 1892 July 27, the printing on the ribbon reads "Sweeney for State Supt. of Free Schools".

Private journal of George K. Campbell of Athens County, Ohio, who served as an officer in Company B of the 116th. Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Gettysburg campaign and the summer, fall, and winter of 1863, when he saw service in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Campbell served detached duty as an escort officer for recruits and prisoners during the spring and summer of 1864 and visited New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He joined Company B of the 187th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September 1864. That unit was soon consolidated and became Company E of the 174th. Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Deeds and other legal papers of a farmer from Jefferson County, West Virginia. The collection also includes several legal documents, 1874-1877, pertaining to Dr. Nicholas Marmion of Harpers Ferry.

Correspondence and business papers of the family of George Koonce of Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County. Koonce was a prominent Unionist during the Civil War, a representative at the 1861 Wheeling Convention, and later a member of the West Virginia State Senate. The correspondence spans 1854 to 1920 (the bulk of which is from the period 1870 to 1900) and principally includes personal letters to and from family members spread out from Baltimore to Galveston, Texas. The topics, for the most part, involve family matters although there are some letters discussing politics and the Civil War. There are also some business papers concerning the firm of George Koonce & Son, a Harpers Ferry general store, and tax receipts.

Records of James W. Brady, provost marshal at Harpers Ferry, 1863-1865, and an order book of department headquarters at Harpers Ferry, 1863.

A sketch of the town and its geographical setting, copied from a map owned by Mrs. E. Bruce Allen, Moorefield, West Virginia. Included are short notes on the history of the town, description of the rivers, public buildings, school, circulating library, tavern, religious denominations, and nationalities represented among its inhabitants.

Photocopy of "Armorers at the U.S. Armory at Harper's Ferry", an alphabetical list of persons who worked at the armory between the years of 1796 and 1860 with summaries of information concerning each individual. Information includes names, birth and death dates, job titles, dates noted on payroll, money earned, and descriptions of work performed. Entries may also contain biographical information including places of birth and residence, education and training, and names and other information regarding parents, wives, and children. This information was copied from an unknown edition of "The Southern Arsenal" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James B. Whisker. Copies of the first edition of this book are available from the West Virginia University Library and the West Virginia Collection.