A: Yes, in 1995 the Historical Publications Section, N.C. Division of Archives and History, published my book, State Troops and Volunteers: A Photographic Record of North Carolina's Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865. The volume contains 603 images of North Carolina soldiers, the vast majority of which had never previously been published, and remains, I believe, the largest such compilation of Civil War portrait photography in a single volume. However, State Troops and Volunteers is a projected multi-volume work and circumstances now permit me to resume work on it.
Q: Why has it taken so long between volumes?
A: Substantial progress was made on volume 2 of State Troops and Volunteers in the three years following publication of volume 1. However, I needed a break -- I had been working on the project since 1987. Resumption of work was further delayed by family obligations that limited the amount of time, resources, and, above all, energy, that I had previously enjoyed. Nevertheless, I have never lost sight of the obligation to produce a second volume of State Troops and Volunteers (hereafter referred to as STV.2). My retirement happily looms less than two years hence, and I have resumed work now with the launch of this website.
Q: Are you still searching for North Carolina images to include in STV.2?
A: Yes, all submissions are welcome and will be for the foreseeable future.
Q: Exactly what kind of images are you looking for?
A: I am seeking the following categories of photographs:
The categories described above list the same criteria that were used for images included in Volume 1 of STV. However, STV.2 is expanding in scope and the following kinds of images are now also sought:
Q: I have a great photograph of my ancestor in his Confederate uniform, but I am reluctant to send it to you because it is my only copy.
A: Please *DO NOT* mail me any original nineteenth century photographs or send me a modern print *IF* it is your only copy. If you have such an image, and if you would like it to appear in STV.2, please write or e-mail me and we will discuss a way of getting it copied.
Q: What kind of photographic material do you need now?
A: I would prefer one of the following:
Any of the above will permit me to study the image and incorporate it into the body of STV.
Q: Volume One of State Troops and Volunteers is organized partly on a chronological basis. I have an image of a soldier who would have fit perfectly on volume one, but I don't see how he could be used in volume two.
A: STV.2 will have an appendix that will contain all such images.
Q: What information about the soldier depicted in my photograph do you need?
A: Ideally: name, county of residence in 1861, unit in which he served, birth-and-death dates, any information preserved in family history about his war-time service, any war-time documents pertaining to the soldier (such as letters) that may still exist. However, none of the above is absolutely required; if there is evidence that the subject was a North Carolinian, images of unidentified solders are acceptable. I try to do a thorough research of each soldier, including an interpretation of the content of the photograph, and am often able to provide information to the owner or descendant of which he or she might not be aware.
Q: Someone acting on your behalf copied my photograph for your book several years ago. Will it automatically appear in STV.2?
A: Unfortunately, unless I personally copied the image, I cannot guarantee that. Many images (literally hundreds) copied by individuals under the guise of appearing in STV.2, particularly images copied during the period 1995-1998, have never been turned over to me, and I do not expect they ever will be. If your photograph is one of those so affected, please accept my apologies. During the production of STV.2 no agents will be used by me. If you are unsure of the status of an image you had copied, please write or e-mail me.
Q: Isn't this website remarkably plain?
A: Yes! It is intentionally bare of any text that blinks or moves.
Links from the Home Page will take you to (eventually, it will take me a few months to get this website completed):
Q: Where can I obtain a new copy of Volume 1 of STV?
A: Volume 1 is now officially out-of-print, although it is likely that several booksellers still have new copies in their inventories. I presently have a small number of new copies for sale (six at this writing). The cost is $150. and includes US Priority Mail Service, Insurance and Delivery Confirmation. If purchased from outside the U.S., the cost is $180. If you are interested in one of these please e-mail me to discuss method of payment and whether you wish the book to be signed by me. It is quite likely, however, that assiduous searching on the internet can locate a used copy of Volume 1 for considerably less than the above price.
Q: I notice you list an e-mail address and snail mail address, but no telephone number. Why no phone number?
A: At present and until my retirement I will be working a very irregular schedule and unavailable at times many think might be "decent" times to make a phone call. However, I can often be reached on my cell phone in the afternoons. That number is 336-583-4354, and please try to call between 3 pm and 5pm EST. If we need to talk and that time is not practical, please write or e-mail me and we can work out a mutually convenient time to chat.
- Greg Mast