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About This Journal

The Gettysburg College Journal of the Civil War Era is dedicated to showcasing undergraduate papers regarding the Civil War Era and its lasting memory. The first issue was published in 2010. Today, the journal is published digitally and is openly available to readers around the world. A wide range of topics are encouraged and submissions should fall in one of the following three categories: academic essays, book reviews, and historical non-fiction essays. Submission guidelines for these categories are as follows:

  1. Academic Essays: We are interested in original research with extensive use of primary and secondary sources. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, military history, social history, race, reconstruction, memory, reconciliation, politics, the home front, etc. 6,000 words or less.

  2. Book Reviews: Any non-fiction, Civil War-related book published in the last two years. Authors should have knowledge of the relevant literature to review. 700 words or less.

  3. Historical Non-fiction Essays: This category is for non-fiction works regarding the Civil War that are not necessarily of an academic nature. Examples of this include essays on the public history of the war, re-enactment culture, and current issues in the Civil War field such as the sesquicentennial, etc. Creativity is encouraged in this category as long as it remains a non-fiction piece. 2,000 to 6,000 words.

All submissions should be written and submitted in a Word Document with Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Citations should be in the Chicago or Turabian style.

Accepted works will be published in our online journal and in a limited amount of print copies. Selected authors will receive two print copies for their personal use. All submissions should be submitted using the "Submit Article" button on this webpage. This button will activate once the journal becomes open for submissions. For more information, please see the journal's policies.

Submissions for the 2025 issue will open October 1, 2024 and will remain open until January 15, 2025.

Any student with an interest in the Civil War may submit, including graduate students, as long as the work submitted is undergraduate work written within the past five years.