(Image courtesy of Washington State Library)

The third and final State Library Jewel for May is timely since the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War was recognized this spring: official records of the Union and Confederate armies, as found in the United States Congressional Serial Set.

Here is an excerpt regarding the two-volume atlas from which the Gettysburg map shown above is found:

“The atlas of the Official records consists of maps of battlefields, cities and their defenses, and parts of the country traversed by the armies. Parts 1, 25, and 26 contain view of besieged cities, forts, etc., and pt. 35 gives the uniforms and flags or the two armies, and other information. The location of Confederate troops or defenses is shown in red and that of the Union troops in blue. The atlas is not included in the reprint edition.”

We’ll launch the online poll for the May Library Jewels later this week, so be watching!