A rare collection of Civil War books has been donated to the University of Mississippi.

Dr. D.J. Canale, a retired neurosurgeon in Memphis, Tenn., and his wife Janet, have donated a collection of books, some of which are related to the topic of medical treatment of soldiers in the field.

Jennifer Ford, director of the university library’s archives and special collections, says in a news release that the gift includes more than 100 items.

The donation of books comes as many libraries, organizations and historians mark the Civil War sesquicentennial in 2011.

Officials say Canale, who also has collected rare books on other subjects, sold a large group of his books in the last few years at auctions, but he wanted his Civil War-related books kept together.