Vermonters in the Civil War
Collection Overview
Vermont soldiers in the Civil War wrote an enormous quantity of letters and diaries, of which many thousands have survived in libraries, historical societies, and in private hands. This collection represents a selection of letters and diaries from...
Show moreVermont soldiers in the Civil War wrote an enormous quantity of letters and diaries, of which many thousands have survived in libraries, historical societies, and in private hands. This collection represents a selection of letters and diaries from the University of Vermont and the Vermont Historical Society.
The collection includes materials dating from 1861-1865. Materials were selected for digitization to provide a variety of perspectives on events and issues. The voices represented in the collection include private soldiers and officers, as well as a few civilians. All of the extant Civil War-era letters or diaries of each of the selected individuals (at least, all that are to be found in the participating institutions’ collections) are included; each adds a certain experience and point of view to the whole.
Officers in the photo above are (from left to right): Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. Stoughton, Colonel Edwin H. Stoughton, Major Harry N. Worthen. All are from the Fourth Vermont Infantry Regiment.
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Sub-collections
- Daniel S. White Correspondence
- Edward P. Stone Correspondence
- George W. Quimby Correspondence
- Henry A. Smith Correspondence
- Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence
- Horace Barlow Diary
- John Lester Barstow Correspondence
- John W. Campbell Correspondence
- John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
- Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
- Joseph L. Perkins Correspondence
- Joseph Spafford Correspondence
- Justus F. Gale Correspondence
- Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
- Orlando S. Turner Correspondence
- Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
- Roswell Farnham Correspondence
- Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
- Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
- Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
- William C. Holbrook Correspondence
- William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Lesson Plans
(21 - 40 of 363)
Pages
- Title
- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Inquires about ladies in the family, requesting letters from them, states there is good water contrary to what the newspapers report, vegetables to eat, building brick ovens, prayer meetings being held in brick church, death of son of Judge Swift of Middlebury.
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- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Writes of the first death in the regiment, that of William Fallon of Royalton from the measles, of his good health, refers to John (perhaps his brother?), comfortable living conditions and of having to prepare for the funeral.
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- Edward P. Stone to John F. Stone
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From camp along the James River, Va. he writes of money sent to his father, box received from home, fashioning furnishings with items available, mentions his horse, men may be required to move, will regret having to leave the brick church being used for worship, church cushioned & carpeted & has...
Show moreFrom camp along the James River, Va. he writes of money sent to his father, box received from home, fashioning furnishings with items available, mentions his horse, men may be required to move, will regret having to leave the brick church being used for worship, church cushioned & carpeted & has an organ, perhaps a gift from Mrs. President Harrison, missing soldiers learned to be prisoners exchanged unharmed.
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- Edward P. Stone to John F. Stone
- Description
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Writing from Camp Griffin, Va., Stone writes of sending money to his father in payment for a horse from Mr. Parmelee, refers again to John (perhaps his brother?), of many duties as chaplain including preparing for the funerals of the men who died from sickness and of his carpet bag being stolen...
Show moreWriting from Camp Griffin, Va., Stone writes of sending money to his father in payment for a horse from Mr. Parmelee, refers again to John (perhaps his brother?), of many duties as chaplain including preparing for the funerals of the men who died from sickness and of his carpet bag being stolen on the way to camp.
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- Title
- George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
- Description
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Topics include the anticipation of marching to Alexandria in just over a week’s time, the resignation of Captain Tucker, and the promotion of George W. Quimby to captaincy. Mentions the slow moving Grand Army of the Potomac and the feeling that it may never see any fighting.
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- George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
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Topics include George W. Quimby giving advice to his sister on whether or not to sell her house and the location of the regiment. Also, some grumblings about "that imbecile cabinet in Washington" and the post-McClellan command.
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- George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
- Description
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Topics include the terrible weather at Camp Griffin, Va. and the numerous deaths from sicknesses such as Typhoid Fever. "Smith's Division" refers to the Vt. 5th Infantry Regiment under the command of Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith.
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- George W. Quimby to Sister
- Description
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Writes from Camp Griffin, Va. Smith's Division of consoling his sister Emeline on the death of her husband and how she should start taking care of the estate cautioning her about who she may trust and those town folks she should not be influenced by.
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- George W. Quimby to Tucker
- Description
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Topics include the location of the company and a brief account of the battle of Lee's Mill. Also a comment about one legislator "Morrels" (Justin Morrill?) stating that Gen. William Smith was drunk. A summary of promotions.
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- Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
- Description
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Topics include resuming encampment after living indoors for a while. An early March skirmish in Aldie, Va. is mentioned, as is the capture of General E.H. Stoughton in bed, in a daring raid by CSA Capt. John S. Mosby at Fairfax County Court House. Mosby managed to capture dozens of union soldiers...
Show moreTopics include resuming encampment after living indoors for a while. An early March skirmish in Aldie, Va. is mentioned, as is the capture of General E.H. Stoughton in bed, in a daring raid by CSA Capt. John S. Mosby at Fairfax County Court House. Mosby managed to capture dozens of union soldiers, learn the "Countersign," or password, and go wherever he wanted. (The embarrassment ended Stoughton's military career.) Smith mentions his wish for a photograph of his siblings, and his wish for news from home.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
- Description
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Topics include rebel raids on the pickets, how comfortable their camp is, what he wants in a box his family will be sending him, including a baked chicken and maple sugar. He also mentions his views about the war and whether France will come in on the Confederate side. Mentions CSA Gen. Jeb...
Show moreTopics include rebel raids on the pickets, how comfortable their camp is, what he wants in a box his family will be sending him, including a baked chicken and maple sugar. He also mentions his views about the war and whether France will come in on the Confederate side. Mentions CSA Gen. Jeb Stuart and his cavalry raids.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
- Description
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Topics include the leafing out of fruit trees, another skirmish with Mosby’s raiders, and his skepticism about news of the war.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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Topics include Henry Smith losing his horse, camp punishment of John H. Willard for disobeying an order, and the numerous men who were wounded and killed.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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From camp near Alexandria, Va topics include the bad weather, the continuous firing of shots from the Washington Navy Yard, enjoys watching the new recruits, the prediction that Lant Blake will not live, still requesting boots and apples.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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From Alexandria, Virginia topics include transporting the sick, injured and "used up horses", the expectation of new horses, the extensive fortifications between Alexandria and Centerville, the horrors of war, the restriction of letter writing until 10 days following a battle, reference to men...
Show moreFrom Alexandria, Virginia topics include transporting the sick, injured and "used up horses", the expectation of new horses, the extensive fortifications between Alexandria and Centerville, the horrors of war, the restriction of letter writing until 10 days following a battle, reference to men having fought in a battle but does not say which one (Pope's Campaign??) and Henry Smith's wish to return home.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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From Culpeper Court House (Virginia) topics include a list of regiments in the area including the 1st Vt, the hope that Captain Rundlett submits his resignation, the resignation of Colonel Kellogg, the acquiring of double barrel shotguns taken from the citizens, brief reference to Gen. McClellan...
Show moreFrom Culpeper Court House (Virginia) topics include a list of regiments in the area including the 1st Vt, the hope that Captain Rundlett submits his resignation, the resignation of Colonel Kellogg, the acquiring of double barrel shotguns taken from the citizens, brief reference to Gen. McClellan and Gen. John Pope and the prediction that the war will not last much longer.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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Topics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an...
Show moreTopics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an encounter with the rebels that resulted in three rebel deaths and two rebel prisoners, getting pay.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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Topics include the arrival of the package from home that had includes apples and chicken but those were eaten by Jarvis Wentworth, pictures of relatives received, admiration of his new boots, Henry Smith's friend Fenney hoping to become his brother-in-law, and the death of a boy names Henry Holt...
Show moreTopics include the arrival of the package from home that had includes apples and chicken but those were eaten by Jarvis Wentworth, pictures of relatives received, admiration of his new boots, Henry Smith's friend Fenney hoping to become his brother-in-law, and the death of a boy names Henry Holt of Hartland, gives advice on how to best care for a horse.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Family
- Description
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From camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels,...
Show moreFrom camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels, praise of McClellan, reference to Bull Run, John Pope and some of the other men who have been wounded.
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- Title
- Henry A. Smith to Mother
- Description
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Two letters one dated Dec 5th and one 6th. Topics include the snowy weather, Henry Smith's good health, and the difficult times the men who were drafted will face.