Alfred M. Scales Papers

1845-1907, undated
Manuscript Collection #48
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Creator(s)
Scales, Alfred M. (Alfred Moore), 1827-1892
Physical description
1 Cubic Feet
Preferred Citation
Alfred M. Scales Papers (#48), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
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Papers (1845-1907, undated) documenting the military, political, and personal life of Alfred M. Scales (1827–1892), Confederate brigadier general, U.S. Congressman, and Governor of North Carolina. The collection consists of mostly photocopies of correspondence, personal documents, and official communications relating to Scales's Civil War service, postwar political career, and family matters. Original items include an 1864 letter from Governor Zebulon B. Vance and a commemorative address by R.D.W. Connor (1907).

Biographical/historical information

Alfred Moore Scales (1827–1892) was a North Carolina lawyer, politician, and Confederate general during the American Civil War. Born in Reidsville, Rockingham County, Scales graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1848 and practiced law before entering politics. He served in the North Carolina General Assembly and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1857. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Scales joined the Confederate army, rising to the rank of brigadier general and leading troops in major engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg.

After the war, Scales returned to politics, serving multiple terms in Congress (1875–1885) before being elected Governor of North Carolina (1885–1889). His tenure focused on rebuilding state infrastructure, improving public education, and promoting economic development in the post-Reconstruction South. He remained active in civic affairs until his death in Greensboro in 1892.

Scope and arrangement

The collection consists primarily of correspondence and related documents spanning from 1845 to 1899, with later transcripts and photocopies compiled for research purposes. Original materials include an 1864 letter from Governor Zebulon B. Vance and other wartime correspondence. The majority of the collection comprises photocopies of letters, personal documents, and official communications documenting Scales's military service, political career, and personal affairs. Topics include Civil War military operations, postwar political issues in North Carolina, personal and family matters, and public addresses. A notable item is a 1907 commemorative speech delivered by R.D.W. Connor reflecting on Scales's life and career.

Administrative information
Custodial History

March 18, 1968, 1 item; Letter of Scales to Governor Zebulon B. Vance. Transferred from J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University.

November 30, 1972, 55 items; Papers (1858-1892), including correspondence, clippings, and miscellaneous. Photocopies. Loaned for copying by Kate Lepine

January 18, 1973, 85 items; Correspondence, 1845 - (1862-1888) - 1937. Photocopies. Loaned for copying by A. H. Scales

October 26, 1973, 65 items; Correspondence, clippings, miscellaneous (1863-1910). Photocopies. Loaned for copying by Kate Lepine

January 17, 1975, 449 items; Correspondence, clippings, and miscellaneous (1854-1901). Photocopies. Loaned for copying by Kate Lepine

Source of acquisition

Scales's letter transferred from J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University

Loaned for copying by Kate Lepine

Loaned for copying A. H. Scales

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon, May 1968

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Updated by N. Hardison, November 2024]

Updated by P. Cash, August 2025

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms
Personal Names
Scales, Alfred M. (Alfred Moore), 1827-1892--Correspondence
Vance, Zebulon Baird, 1830-1894--Correspondence
Corporate Names
Confederate States of America. Army--Officers
Places
North Carolina--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Equipment and supplies
Container list
Box 1 Folder a Original Correspondence with Governor Zebulon B. Vance and others, 1864
Box 1 Folder b Photocopies of Correspondence, May 22, 1856 - November 29, 1863
Box 1 Folder c Photocopies of Correspondence, November 10, 1845 - August 20, 1868
Box 1 Folder d Photocopies of Correspondence, April 1864 - October 11, 1867
Box 1 Folder e Photocopies of Correspondence, July 14, 1870 - November 5, 1879
Box 1 Folder f Photocopies of Correspondence, July 14, 1870 - 1876
Box 1 Folder g Photocopies of Correspondence, 1877
Box 1 Folder h Photocopies of Correspondence, April 1878 - December 1880
Box 1 Folder i Photocopies of Correspondence, January 8, 1881 - December 19, 1882
Box 1 Folder j Photocopies of Correspondence , 1864
Box 1 Folder k "Address on Alfred Moore Scales," delivered by R.D.W. Connor before the Wake County Memorial Association, May 10, 1907
Box 2 Folder a Photocopies of Correspondence, January 6, 1883 - December, 1885
Box 2 Folder b Photocopies of Correspondence and other personal documents, September 10, 1880 - December 22, 1884
Box 2 Folder c Photocopies of Documents, undated
Box 2 Folder d Photocopies of Correspondence, April 1, 1893 - October 1, 1899
Box 2 Folder e Photocopies of Documents, 1891
Box 2 Folder f Photocopies of Correspondence and other personal documents, June 11, 1886 - August 25, 1889
Box 2 Folder g Photocopies of Correspondence and other personal documents, undated
Box 2 Folder h Photocopies of Correspondence and other personal documents, January 1892 - May 1892
Box 2 Folder i Photocopies of Correspondence, undated
Box 2 Folder j Photocopies of Duplicate Material, 1864
Box 2 Folder k Handwritten transcribed correspondence, April 1, 1964 - April 7, 1879