Military Collections

  • Andy Heck Scroll – Andy Heck was recruited by the Demon Deacons’ then-football coach Bill Tate in 1965. In 1966, Heck won the team’s Most Valuable Player award. Though he left Wake after two years to play professional football for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League, he only played one season; Heck was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967. As a soldier in the Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Heck was wounded in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive and recuperated on Guam. He returned to Vietnam, was wounded in action again, discharged, and returned to Wake Forest to finish his college career in 1968, though he did not resume his football career. The scroll was created while Heck was on Guam, though he did not receive it until he returned to New Jersey after his discharge.Alexander Bell Smith Papers – This certified carbon copy of materials from the album of Rev. Alexander B. Smith contains birth and death dates, family information, sermon notes, notes of a student, and a Civil War letter from M.A. Nelms to her husband Capt. E. Nelms, 9th Regt, Miss. Inf., November 15, 1861.
  • Calvin Green Strayhorn Memorandum Book – Calvin Green Strayhorn, attended Wake Forest College, 1848-49, and was later a teacher, planter, and miller in Orange and Granville counties, North Carolina, and in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Thomasville, North Carolina. His “Memorandum Book, Wake Forest College” contains marriages and deaths, primarily in Orange County, North Carolina; Strayhorn’s poetry and musical compositions; his religious conversion, ca. April-May, 1852; a list of North Carolina Civil War regiments (1st-38th) and their colonels; and brief entries of his movements, Oct. 1850-Dec. 1851.
  • Chadwick Wellington Clark Papers – Chadwick Wellington Clark, an alumnus of Wake Forest University (Class of 1989) served with the U.S. Army, as Second Lieutenant and platoon leader during the Panama invasion, 1989. His journal for the period, Dec. 22-25 1989, covers his activities. Included also is his letter, Jan. 24, 1990 to Capt. Scott Marquardt, R.O.T.C. Department, Wake Forest University, enclosing the journal, and a computer printout of his manuscript.
  • Choate Family Papers – These papers of family living in Alleghany County, North Carolina consists primarily of correspondence between William Thomas Choate (1832-64) and his wife, Martha (Fender) Choate (1836-97), during his service as a officer in Company I, 61st Regiment North Carolina State Troops during the Civil War. His letters are concerned with camp life, the Battle of Antietam, casualties, sickness in his company, and the need for food and clothing from home. Her letters are about the family and neighbors, deaths in the family and neighborhood, sickness, running the family farm, care of livestock, and her wanting William to come home. Other correspondents include William Choate’s brothers, friends, relatives and others.
  • Confederate Broadsides – The “Confederate Broadside Poetry Collection” at Wake Forest University consists of over 250 examples of poems written by Southerners and Confederate sympathizers during the Civil War. The collection includes some pamphlets and clippings, as well as broadsides.
  • E.B. Lane Civil War Papers – Collection consists of two letters from Lane to his sister-in-law, Mrs. J.H. Lane, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, and to his wife in Palatka, Florida discussing his clothing supply, their entrenchments, preaching, the death of Alexander Wilson, wounding of a company man, and a review for Jefferson Davis. The letters are written from Atlanta and Palmetto, GA.
  • Edmond Gamble Military Order – Document is an order to Edmond Gamble, Assistant Commissary, Aug. 16, 1779 to take charge of the provisions for the Continental troops
  • Evelyn P. Foote Papers – Evelyn Patricia “Pat” Foote served as an officer in the United States Army for 30 years, rising to the rank of Brigadier General. Her career is marked by several “firsts” for female Army Officers, and she is considered an expert in issues affecting American women in military service. The Foote Papers consist primarily of correspondence, newsletters, speech notes, clippings, photographs, certificates, and official Army orders, reports, and personnel records. These materials document Foote’s career in the Army from 1959 to 1989; her numerous speaking engagements, participation in organizations, and attendance at conferences regarding women in the military through 1998; her participation in the creation of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.; and her involvement in various presidential campaigns.
  • George L. Bright Civil War Diary – George L. Bright was a band member of the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (or 46th OVI), an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Bright’s diary details weather and marching conditions from January to September 1862 and in specific locations including Camp Logan, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Paducah, Kentucky. Bright’s entries also note days when he played his horn for regimental funerals.
  • George Washington Paschal, Jr. Papers – Dr. G. W. Paschal, Jr. was born in 1909 and graduated from Wake Forest College in 1927. He received his BS in 1929 and his MD in 1931; an honorary DS was presented to him in 1962. After serving in WWII, he became a surgeon in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a benefactor of Wake Forest College/University and served on its Board of Trustees. His papers consist of biographical information; his personal and family correspondence dealing with his internship and WWII years; literary productions, including articles, speeches, and memorials; subject files; and his Wake Forest College/University papers referring to the dancing issues, relationship with the College/University charter, correspondence with other trustees and interested individuals, reports, minutes of the Board of Trustees, the selection of a president; and photographs.
  • Gerald White Johnson Papers – Gerald W. Johnson was an alumnus of Wake Forest College (Class of 1911), an author, and a newspaper reporter and columnist on the Baltimore Sun and other newspapers. His papers consist of biographical information; professional and family correspondence; education files from his studies at the University of Toulouse and Wake Forest College; financial documents; literary productions, including speeches, addresses, and book reviews; copies and clippings of his newspaper columns; magazine articles; his World War I notebooks, photographs, and memorabilia; photograph albums and loose photographs on the Duls, Haywood, and Johnson families; a postcard album; awards and certificates; honorary degrees; medals and insignia; scrapbooks of clippings; his subject files; and memorabilia including his academic regalia, his typewriter, and a lap-top desk.
  • Griffin Family Papers – The papers of this New York family consist of military and civilian appointments of Worden Griffin as Sgt. Inf. 49th Brig., N.Y., 1818; Ensign, 123rd Inf. Regt. N.Y., 1821 (signed by Dewitt Clinton; as Lt. Inf. 123rd N.Y., 1823; Capt. Inf., 123rd N.Y., 1828; and as Inspector of Leather, St. Lawrence County, 1828. There is also a deed (land indenture) from the State Of Iowa, 1847. The collection contains two diaries, 1863-64, of Thomas Frazier Griffin, soldier in the 13th Iowa Regiment, 17th Army Corps, 6th Division, Army of the Tennessee.
  • Henry Nathan Blanchard Papers – Henry Nathan Blanchard was a Wake Forest College alumnus (1909) and a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. This collection contains article typescripts, sermons, and biographical information, particularly relating to Blanchard’s work as an Army chaplain.
  • Herbert E. Valentine Civil War Diary – Herbert Eugene Valentine, a native of Salem, Massachusetts, served in the Union Army, 23rd Massachusetts Volunteers, Co. F. A photographer by trade, Valentine was responsible for making maps and sketches and taking photographs for official army use. Valentine’s manuscript memoirs relate various anecdotes about his army experiences, mostly in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
  • James Estol Tull Papers – James Estol Tull served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain and taught theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina, for 25 years. This collection contains biographical information, including his U.S. Army Air Force file, writings, speeches, photographs, subject and course files, two sermons, and drafts of The Atoning Gospel and his dissertation  A Study of Southern Baptist Landmarkism in the Light of Historical Baptist Ecclesiology (1959).
  • John Pennel Civil War Letters – Pennel was Corp. Co. B, 2nd Regt. North Carolina Cavalry. Service record (printed) and letters of Corp. Pennel from Wilkes County, North Carolina, written from Aquia Creek, Virginia, Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Goldsborough, North Carolina. Letters include descriptions of the movements of the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry, his illnesses, camp life, and requests for food and clothing items from home.
  • John Francis Lanneau Papers – Collection consists of writings and pamphlets of Lanneau, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and professor of mathematics at Furman College, where he organized his students into a company known as the “Brooks Troop” that later joined Hampton’s South Carolina Legion. After the war he was professor of mathematics at Wake Forest College. This collection contains his “Remembrances of the Civil War” with a photograph of Lanneau on the cover; genealogical information on the Lanneau family; a three-page outline on Bazile Lanneau of Charleston, South Carolina, 1746-1833: His Descendents and Relatives; a photocopy of photographs of Lanneau Family gravestones, Wake Forest, North Carolina; and pamphlets by Dr. Lanneau.
  • John Leland Military Commission – This item is a military commission issued to John Leland as Captain in His Majesty’s 58th Regiment of Foot, Oct. 12, 1760. Signed by William Pitt.
  • Kenneth Tyson Raynor Papers – K.T. Raynor was an alumnus of Wake Forest College (Class of 1914), and an associate professor of mathematics at Wake Forest College from 1926 until his retirement in 1961. His papers contain biographical information, awards and certificates, gradebooks from Wake Forest, Campbell College, and Duke, 1924-29; photographs of K.T. Raynor and family; an address; his Wake Forest College files; 1910-76 [broken series]; materials relating to his World War I service in the U.S. Navy, 1918; his writings; diplomas; and letters of recommendation, 1914-15, 1921, and undated.
  • Laurence Stallings Papers – This collection contains the manuscripts and correspondence of Laurence Stallings, writer and Wake Forest College alumnus. It also contains numerous reviews and newspaper clippings collected by Stallings, motion picture ephemera, personal memorabilia, and materials from his military service. An large portion of the collection is dedicated to the many drafts and revisions of his final book, The Doughboys.
  • Levander T. Rushing Civil War Letters – Levander T. Rushing was a soldier during the Civil War. He served in the Company I of the 53rd Regiment from Anson County, N.C. This collection contains correspondence of a variety of people with links to Rushing, though the main correspondent is G.M. Rushing, who may have gone by the name Burwell. Also present are a number of undated envelopes and two Confederate 2-dollar bills.
  • Lipe Family Civil War Letters – The Lipe (or Leib) family lived in Deep Well, now Mooresville, Iredell County, North Carolina. The collection consists of 27 letters by 7 different Confederate soldiers, telling of their experiences in the Civil War. The collection consists of 27 letters by 7 different Confederate soldiers and Lipe family members, telling of their experiences in the Civil War. Correspondents include J. L. Lipe, George L.D. Lipe, George L. Kistler,  W. A. Wallace, Thomas L. Purdie, R. M. Emerson, James C. Moore, Elburtus M. Kennerly, and Eliza Ann Lipe. Also included is a small amount of material regarding the collection that was provided by the seller.
  • McNeill-Poteat Family Papers – Collection includes incoming correspondence, financial and legal records of Hosea McNeill (ca. 1784-1857) and his son-in-law James Poteat (1808-88). These records are concerned primarily with the Norfleet, Williams and Graves families and include the Civil War letters of Felix L. Poteat, and John M. Poteat, and a journal of a trip to Tennessee in 1833. There are miscellaneous records and family photographs of James, John, Miles, Linday, James Preston, William Louis, Mrs. Julia A., and Edwin McNeill Poteat.
  • Philip W. Morgan Civil War Papers – Diary of a Union soldier imprisoned at Andersonville, GA. during the Civil War, with copies of a photograph, his service record, and biographical data.
  • Robert Nevill Isbell Papers – Dr. Isbell was a Professor of Chemistry at Wake Forest College, 1926-41 and 1957 to 1963. He founded the Wake Forest College Marching Band in 1926 and was its director until 1941. He was an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Chemical Corps from 1930-46. He received a commission in the Chemical Corps in June 1941 and rose in rank to Colonel. He was concerned with atomic operations and nuclear weaponry. This collection contains two gradebooks, 1957-60; and biographical information.
  • Rufus Walter Dalton, Jr. Collection – Rufus W. Dalton, Jr. was a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina He attended Wake Forest College, 1947-48. He served in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 19, 1943 to Mar. 10, 1946. The bulk of the collection relates to his service in the Pacific during World War II on the USS Monssen. Specific items include a photograph of Dalton in his Navy uniform, a cased photograph of his mother and father; copies of his honorable discharge and separation papers; a certificate of satisfactory service, a certificate of appreciation from President Harry Truman; a list of Navy decorations that he was authorized to wear; notes on the USS Monssen; a U.S. Navy rating booklet; a folder on his membership in the  Children of the American Revolution, his decorations including two metal dog tags, a “ruptured duck” pin, his service ribbons, and a U.S. Naval Reserve discharge pin; six pencil sketches of Leyte and Samar islands; and souvenirs including two pieces of Japanese currency for the Philippines, and two pieces of Philippine currency overprinted with VICTORY; and a piece of a Japanese parachute shot down over Leyte.
  • Sanders Meredith Ingram Papers – S.M. Ingram attended Wake Forest College in the first class, 1834/35, and then returned in 1838-40. He served in the Mexican War as a volunteer from Tennessee, and briefly as a lieutenant in the 38th Regt. North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War. He was a planter in Richmond County, North Carolina and served in the North Carolina General Assembly. His papers contain biographical information and correspondence with family and friends and with friends serving in the 38th and 23rd North Carolina infantry regiments during the Civil War. Two journals contain accounts of his life in Rockingham, 1842-44, and during the Mexican War, 1846. His published account of his Mexican War experiences are found in the 1848 issues of the North Carolina Argus in this collection. Another newspaper (1885) contains information on the centennial of Cedar Creek Baptist Church (now Lilesville Baptist Church).
  • Taylor-Crittenden Family Papers – This collection contains biographical/genealogical items; correspondence; diaries; education files; photographs; scrapbooks and clippings; articles and other literary productions of the Duggan, Prichard, Crittenden, and Taylor families of North Carolina and Virginia. Subjects include the education of family members at Chowan Baptist Female Institute; Oxford Female College; the Arts Student League, New York; the effect of the Civil War on the family; and missionary endeavors in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
  • Trezevant Harrison Papers – Harrison was a Baptist pastor in Virginia and Rockingham County, North Carolina. His papers consist of a pocket Bible he carried during the Civil War while a member of Company H, 13th Regiment Virginia Infantry; a photograph; and other family papers.
  • Vertical Files (Printed Materials) Collection – The Vertical Files (Printed Materials) Collection is made up of printed materials, clippings, and assorted ephemera relating to Wake Forest College and University. The collection includes printed materials from College and University functions including Commencement, Baccalaureate, Convocation, athletic events (including football and basketball games), lectures, programs, and a variety of other campus happenings. WWII Casualties / Box 292 B; World War II Deceased, n.d. / Box 292 B; World War II, WFU Faculty who served in / Box 292 B
  • William Bailey Royall Papers – William Bailey Royall was an alumnus of (Class of 1861), Commissary Sergeant in the 55th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, professor of Greek and bursar of Wake Forest College for sixty years, and a Baptist minister. His papers consist of biographical data, memorial addresses and speeches, photocopies of his military record from the National Archives and Records Administration, his obituary, receipts, photograph, notebook, and subject files. The bulk of the collection consists of grade and attendance reports from Wake Forest College professors.
  • William James World War II Collection – William James, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was a collector of World War II information and memorabilia. He specialized in German generals and admirals, particularly Edwin Rommel. His collection consists of correspondence files with Mrs. Edwin Rommel, Manfred Rommel, Admiral Fredrich Ruge, historians from Duke and Wake Forest universities, and other military enthusiasts; typescript and original copies of articles on World War II battles and leaders; printed works in German and English; and subject files on World War II battles and leaders.
  • Woodburn Family Papers – Copies of two letters dated March 19 and March 26 [Year?] written by Mrs. Jane A. Woodburn to Thomas C. Woodburn, in camp at Raleigh, North Carolina with Company B, 2nd Regiment North Carolina Home Guards; the letters contain information on the Madison-Rockingham County, North Carolina area during the last months of the Civil War. There are also notes with the letters and a copy of an 1851 deed to the Madison Baptist Church, Madison, North Carolina.
  • World War I Collection – World War I occurred from 1914 to 1918, with the Allies defeating the Central Powers. Materials in this collection include a soldier’s journal, songbooks, and uniform items. Also included in this collection is research regarding U.S. military personnel in the war.
  • World War I Posters – American charities and the government launched campaigns through posters to encourage civilians to support the war effort. This collection contains approximately 200 propaganda posters pertaining to World War I publicizing efforts of organizations including the United states Food Administration, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the Red Cross, the United States Treasury department, and other American and allied organizations. To view pictures of the posters, please visit the Flickr page of Special Collections & Archives.

Special Collections & Archives Books

Voice of Wake Forest

University Archives Audio Recordings Reel to Reel Collection

Photographs