Georgia, U.S., Civil War Correspondence, 1847-1865

This database contains correspondence received by Governor Joseph E. Brown, who served as governor of Georgia from 6 November 1857 to 17 June 1865, as well as some correspondence to his predecessors going back to 1847.

Historical Background

Joseph E. Brown was a popular and powerful politician who favored the state’s power over that of a central government—whether it was the federal government in Washington, D.C., or the Confederate government in Richmond. Brown advocated for secession prior to the Civil War, but during the war, he was often at odds with Jefferson Davis and the Confederate government. He resisted Confederate drafts, providing many exemptions to men in the state, while he tried to man Georgia’s own state militia forces. He was also a proponent of education and known for the economy he demanded from government entities.

What You Can Find in the Records

While this collection includes the Civil War period, not all of the correspondence pertains to the war, and you will find letters on many other topics, including salt availability and price, permission to raise troops and offers of troops, weapons, legislative matters, payments and accounting items, and other topics that demanded the attention of the governor. The letters can provide names, dates, and background or details you may not find in other sources.