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
(1,021 - 1,040 of 1,170)
Pages
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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Writing on February 14 (Valentine's Day) topics include worry about his wife’s behavior, hinting at in an unwritten way of his suspicion of Julia's flirting with other men and news from camp.
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- Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
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Wheelock Graves Veazey was born in Brentwood, New Hampshire on December 5, 1835 and attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Dartmouth College, and Albany Law School before being admitted to the Vermont Bar in December 1860. He then began a law practice in Springfield, Vermont. When the Civil War began,...
Show moreWheelock Graves Veazey was born in Brentwood, New Hampshire on December 5, 1835 and attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Dartmouth College, and Albany Law School before being admitted to the Vermont Bar in December 1860. He then began a law practice in Springfield, Vermont. When the Civil War began, Veazey enlisted as a private in Company A of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. He eventually attained the rank of lieutenant colonel before helping to form the 16th Vermont Infantry in 1862. As colonel of the 16th Vermont Infantry, he commanded soldiers in the Battle of Gettysburg. Wheelock Graves Veazey later received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Gettysburg. Upon returning to Vermont, Veazey resumed his law career and was eventually elected Reporter of the Decisions of the Supreme Court of Vermont. He was then elected to the Vermont State Senate in 1872 and was appointed a Registrar in Bankruptcy. Veazey served as a delegate-at-large to the Republican National Convention in 1876, and the Legislature elected him a judge of the Vermont Supreme Court in 1879. Veazey died on March 22, 1898 at the age of 62. Veazey's letters include descriptions of his regiment, their marches, a put-down riot, and other officers and regiments. Also included are sentiments to his wife, his ethical thoughts on the war, and predictions about upcoming events and battles.
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- William B. Reynolds to Lyman S. Williams
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Letter to Williams from Major William B Reynolds regarding trouble about Lyman S. Williams’ commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, 6th Vermont Infantry Regiment, and whether he was properly mustered in. Reynolds also asks for news of Company I of the 6th Vermont, and writes that he feels ...
Show moreLetter to Williams from Major William B Reynolds regarding trouble about Lyman S. Williams’ commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, 6th Vermont Infantry Regiment, and whether he was properly mustered in. Reynolds also asks for news of Company I of the 6th Vermont, and writes that he feels “heavy work is coming soon”. Major Reynolds was killed in action on July 30th, thirteen days after writing this letter.
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- William Bruidnell and Francis Finnegan to William Wirt Henry
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Topics include a request for pay amounting to $116 and an update on the leaders of the Vermont Regiment.
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- William Bruidnell and Samuel Morey to William Wirt Henry
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Topics include a description of the Battle of Mechanicsville (June 26-27, 1862), part of the Seven Days campaign near Richmond.
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- William Bruidnell to William Wirt Henry
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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.
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- William C. Holbrook Correspondence
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The son of Vermont Governor Frederick Holbrook, William C. Holbrook left his job as a clerk in Boston at the outbreak of the war to help raise a regiment of infantry. He was commissioned first lieutenant in Company F, 4th Vermont Infantry, but left the regiment for a promotion to Major in the 7th...
Show moreThe son of Vermont Governor Frederick Holbrook, William C. Holbrook left his job as a clerk in Boston at the outbreak of the war to help raise a regiment of infantry. He was commissioned first lieutenant in Company F, 4th Vermont Infantry, but left the regiment for a promotion to Major in the 7th Vermont Infantry in January, 1862. Holbrook was commissioned colonel of the 7th after the death of Col. George T. Roberts in August 1862. He resigned from the 7th in June, 1865. After the war’s end, he studied law at Hrvard, graduating in 1869, and became a lawyer in New York City. He won an appointment as judge of the Court of Special Session in 1895. Holbrook's letters follow the 7th from Vermont to the Gulf Department, where the regiment served under General Benjamin Butler. Most of the letters were written to Gov. Holbrook during the summer of 1862, and contain recommendations for promotions and comments on the conduct of the war. The major topic is General Butler's condemnation of the 7th after the battle of Baton Rouge on August 5, 1862. Holbrook demanded and received a court of inquiry on the affair, and the regiment was largely exonerated, though it remained under a cloud of censure ever after. Included is a letter from Governor J. Gregory Smith (who succeeded Governor Holbrook) concerning a proposal to brigade the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Vermont regiments. Also, two letters from Lieutenant Colonel Volney Fullam concerning replacements for officers killed or incapacitated, and a letter from former Brigadier General John W. Phelps (Oct. 3, 1862) on the necessity of war to resolve the slavery issue.
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- William H. Barton to Hiram Barton
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William Henry Barton (known as Henry) writes of his hope that several specific people in Crown Point would be drafted, though he suspects that one of them, Americus Spaulding, will fake palpitations of the heart to avoid the draft. He also wishes that anyone voting “secesh” would be drafted. As...
Show moreWilliam Henry Barton (known as Henry) writes of his hope that several specific people in Crown Point would be drafted, though he suspects that one of them, Americus Spaulding, will fake palpitations of the heart to avoid the draft. He also wishes that anyone voting “secesh” would be drafted. As well, he writes of the cold weather and of the visit to Winchester of Elisha Haskell’s wife, who didn’t “like see so many nigers.”
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- William Wirt Henry Correspondence
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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 People's Academy in Morrisville. William taught school...
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.
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- William Wirt Henry to Gov. J. Gregory Smith
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Strongly worded letter written to Governor Smith protesting his censuring of Henry for lack of discipline in the 10th Vermont, due to the complaints of Major Chandler over the promotion of Captain Frost. Henry writes that he believes the 10th Vermont is very disciplined and that the Governor’s...
Show moreStrongly worded letter written to Governor Smith protesting his censuring of Henry for lack of discipline in the 10th Vermont, due to the complaints of Major Chandler over the promotion of Captain Frost. Henry writes that he believes the 10th Vermont is very disciplined and that the Governor’s action in not sending commissions has harmed that discipline. He also states that the 10th Vermont has been under fire continuously and has done it’s duty well. Reference to Col. Jewett, Capt Dillingham Henry writes this letter while lying in a rifle pit, 1,000 yards from the Confederate forces.
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- William Wirt Henry to James Edwin Henry
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Quiet now, no action, just picket and drill. Also this letter to his brother, James Edwin Henry, discusses an advertisement for a patent medicine sold by his business in Vermont that is causing problems for their surgeon Dr. Willard A. Childe, and asking that the advertisement be removed. He also...
Show moreQuiet now, no action, just picket and drill. Also this letter to his brother, James Edwin Henry, discusses an advertisement for a patent medicine sold by his business in Vermont that is causing problems for their surgeon Dr. Willard A. Childe, and asking that the advertisement be removed. He also writes of a soldier named Justin (possibly Justin Carter), the difficulty he has had in keeping him from being cashiered and of praise from General Meade.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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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
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Letter giving details some of camp life, and activities while at winter quarters. Discusses dinner with Mr. Trundell, a prominent Maryland family, news concerning friends, family and plans for Mary Jane to come visit.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Written in the field, letter discusses General Morris’ leave of absence, which would leave Major Henry in charge of the Brigade as ranking officer, as well as the possible quick return of Colonel Jewett when he finds out that he would be in command of the Brigade.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Writes from Camp Griffin near Lewinsville about eating too many chestnuts that made him sick, of family business, of having had enough war and ready to go home.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Writes of his religious faith, of his wife's "hour of trouble", the regiment being under a new general (Brigadier General Cuvier Grover, III Corps, Army of the Potomac), the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Edson and the likely promotion of himself from Major to Lt. Col.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Topics include the continued sickness of Katie, being mustered into the United States Service, and the commission as Major of the 10th Regiment.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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Letter discusses his being appointed Division Officer of the Day, of fighting with cannon fire being heard, of indifference to it, the questionable behavior of Colonel A. B. Jewett, complains Jewett becomes ill whenever difficulties arise and Henry has to do the work, requests that the...
Show moreLetter discusses his being appointed Division Officer of the Day, of fighting with cannon fire being heard, of indifference to it, the questionable behavior of Colonel A. B. Jewett, complains Jewett becomes ill whenever difficulties arise and Henry has to do the work, requests that the information provided remain confidential. The arrival of the paymaster with intention of sending money home soon, as well as the behavior of Justin (possibly Justin Carter).
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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News about the money sent home, wishing his family was in camp with him especially his young daughter, admonishing his wife to practice riding so she can ride with him when she comes South, states other wives are planning to be in camp next winter, credits his "old saddle horse" as being the best...
Show moreNews about the money sent home, wishing his family was in camp with him especially his young daughter, admonishing his wife to practice riding so she can ride with him when she comes South, states other wives are planning to be in camp next winter, credits his "old saddle horse" as being the best riding horse.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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October 8, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia near Chain Bridge. Writes of family business, men to camp for the winter a little south of Virginia, desire to be Quartermaster.