William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Collection Overview
William Wirt Henry was born on November 21, 1831, in Waterbury, Vermont, the eldest child of James Madison Henry (1809-1863) and Matilda Gale Henry (1811-1888). William Wirt Henry was educated in the schools of Waterbury and spent one term at...
Show moreWilliam Wirt Henry was born on November 21, 1831, in Waterbury, Vermont, the eldest child of James Madison Henry (1809-1863) and Matilda Gale Henry (1811-1888). William Wirt Henry was educated in the schools of Waterbury and spent one term at People's Academy in Morrisville. William taught school for one winter (1849-50) in Wolcott, Vermont, and then caught "gold fever" and moved to California to seek his fortune. He returned to Vermont in 1857 and joined his father's druggist business, J. M. Henry & Sons. In 1861 he sold his interest in the business and enlisted as a first lieutenant in Co. D of the Second Vermont Volunteers. He resigned November 5, 1861, and then reenlisted as a major in the Tenth Vermont Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1862 and to colonel in June 1864. He resigned December 17, 1864, and was made brevet brigadier general on March 7, 1865. He was wounded in the battles of Cold Harbor and Cedar Creek. After he returned from war, William Wirt Henry rejoined the family business, then known as John F. Henry & Co., manufacturer of patent medicines. William served in the Vermont Senate from Washington County in 1865-1868, and from Chittenden County in 1888-1889. He was mayor of Burlington from 1887 to 1889. He served for seven years as U.S Marshall for the District of Vermont and was a U.S. Immigration Inspector. From 1897 until 1907 he was the American Consul in Quebec. William W. Henry died August 31, 1915, at the age of 83. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont. Henry's correspondence contains letters between Henry and his wife and family. The letters address family concerns, his health, casualties from friendly fire, kindness fro Col. Stannard, and an artillery review by General McClellan.
Show less
(1 - 16 of 16)
- Title
- Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major...
Show moreTopics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major fighting doesn't ensue until May 31st (Battle of Seven Pines, May 31), when Confederates take advantage of Union positions on the south side of the Chickahominy River.
Show less
- Title
- Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the movement of the regiment to Harrison's Landing, the extensive loss in the 5th Vermont Regiment (Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862), the arrest of Captain Eaton, and a request for a few goods from home.
- Title
- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
August 26, 1861 from Great Falls Maryland. Writes of furloughs and discharges not being granted without good cause, illness among the men including measles, duty guarding the river, good fishing, having acquired a horse, quarters in an old hotel with creature comforts.
- Title
- Moses W. Sawyer to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Receipts for the purchase of two horses.
- Title
- William Bruidnell and Francis Finnegan to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Topics include a request for pay amounting to $116 and an update on the leaders of the Vermont Regiment.
- Title
- William Bruidnell to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the good health of everyone except Tilton Sleeper, the hope of taking Richmond from the rebels, and the good weather near Cool Harbor, Virginia.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
- Description
-
Writing from Camp Chase, Va. topics include the death of Henry's sister Katie and the journey to Camp from Brattleboro, aboard the train to New Haven, on the steamer Continental to New York, on to Philadelphia and then to Baltimore and finally Washington, D.C. and on to his camp just beyond...
Show moreWriting from Camp Chase, Va. topics include the death of Henry's sister Katie and the journey to Camp from Brattleboro, aboard the train to New Haven, on the steamer Continental to New York, on to Philadelphia and then to Baltimore and finally Washington, D.C. and on to his camp just beyond Fairfax, Va.under the command of Brig. Gen. Briggs of MA
Show less
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the terrible muddy weather at Camp Griffin, Va. restricting moving about, not selling much Elixir due to the mud and restriction of movement, the living arrangements with Dr. Carpenter, how he spends his time in camp with visiting, going to the Sutlers, playing a card game Euchre...
Show moreTopics include the terrible muddy weather at Camp Griffin, Va. restricting moving about, not selling much Elixir due to the mud and restriction of movement, the living arrangements with Dr. Carpenter, how he spends his time in camp with visiting, going to the Sutlers, playing a card game Euchre with Col. Stannard, wishing to be home to play with his young daughter and sends money home to his wife.
Show less
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the poor health of William Henry's sister Katie and the appointment of Acting Major.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include reflecting on Katie's death and William Henry being in command of five companies and five miles of the Potomac River along Seneca Creek.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include the hardships of camp life, the sickness of Henry Daniels, wishing to be on his way home, selling the Elixir and liniment for twenty five dollars in two days.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up",...
Show moreTopics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up", reference to the fall of Roanoke Island, North Carolina (February 7& 8, 1862) under the leadership of Ambrose Burnside, has sent money home,
Show less
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Still at Camp Griffin, Va. topics include a love letter to William Henry's wife, the expected discharge of Ned Wells, of himself heading for home even if Wells is not discharged.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Topics include William Henry's arrival at Camp Griffin, Virginia ; the men petitioning for Lt. Henry to be their captain ; mentions not yet receiving Elixir yet but has high hopes of sell a lot of it.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
A very brief letter from Camp Washburn topics include inquiries after the well being of his baby boy and the anticipated promotion to Major.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
-
Writing from his camp in the field topics include a brief account of William Henry's day that includes living quarters with Company B, morning hygiene, breakfast, riding his horse to visit a company and give a lecture picket duty, visiting another officer to discuss matters, a good dinner and...
Show moreWriting from his camp in the field topics include a brief account of William Henry's day that includes living quarters with Company B, morning hygiene, breakfast, riding his horse to visit a company and give a lecture picket duty, visiting another officer to discuss matters, a good dinner and ride back to his headquarters. Also inquiries about his family.
Show less