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
(81 - 100 of 105)
Pages
- Title
- Volney S. Fullam to B. F. Butler
- Description
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Topics include vacancies in the regiment caused by the death and sickness of some officers, the resignation and guilt of misconduct by Lt. G. W. Sheldon, and the intention to send a list of promotions.
- Title
- Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
- Description
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Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations...
Show moreTopics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of...
Show moreTopics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of Lewinsville.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a reference to the Battle of Seven Pines (May 31, June 1, 1862 Fair Oaks), battle casualties, praise for the New England regiments, his opinions of how the Southerners view the Yankees, his desire for the war to be over, his feelings that some abolitionists wish for slavery's end...
Show moreTopics include a reference to the Battle of Seven Pines (May 31, June 1, 1862 Fair Oaks), battle casualties, praise for the New England regiments, his opinions of how the Southerners view the Yankees, his desire for the war to be over, his feelings that some abolitionists wish for slavery's end over union of the nation.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a brief love letter, continuous firing from the rebels, men being pressed into service for the Confederate army (reference to the Irish), reference to the Merrimack, Rebel rifle pits, and the number of men who were killed or injured in the skirmishes.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include the sacrifice made by all the soldiers, the Vermont 2nd Regiment at Bull Run, and the fight but up by the Zouaves and the New York 69th Regiment.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Writing from in the field topics include a detailed description of the fighting and victory near Williamsburg, Virginia, reference to Hookers Division, Fort Magruder, General Smith, General Hancock, the men that were injured or lost in the battle, public buildings being used as hospitals and...
Show moreWriting from in the field topics include a detailed description of the fighting and victory near Williamsburg, Virginia, reference to Hookers Division, Fort Magruder, General Smith, General Hancock, the men that were injured or lost in the battle, public buildings being used as hospitals and Confederate General Ripley killed in action.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Writing from Harrison's Landing, Virginia topics include an attack by Andrew Jackson and the subsequent fighting, Veazey's taking command of the 77th New York Regiment, and the great losses of both armies, brief references to Gen. John Pope and Secretary of War Edwin M.Stanton.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Writing from near Fairfax Court House, is in good health, drills practiced, men lost from the 15th and 16th regiments, a reference to a battle in Tennessee (maybe the Union win at the Battle of Stones River, Dec 31, 1862-Jan. 3, 1863), reflects on how the army will deal with the discharge of the...
Show moreWriting from near Fairfax Court House, is in good health, drills practiced, men lost from the 15th and 16th regiments, a reference to a battle in Tennessee (maybe the Union win at the Battle of Stones River, Dec 31, 1862-Jan. 3, 1863), reflects on how the army will deal with the discharge of the soldiers signed up for only 9 months, mentions officers' wives in camp.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include picket duty over New Year’s, being stationed in a house well suited to his needs, cavalry unit having had a scrimmage nearby, mentions the death of General Kearny at Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, Sept 1, 1862 (Northern Virginia Campaign), the depleted and devastated area in which...
Show moreTopics include picket duty over New Year’s, being stationed in a house well suited to his needs, cavalry unit having had a scrimmage nearby, mentions the death of General Kearny at Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, Sept 1, 1862 (Northern Virginia Campaign), the depleted and devastated area in which they are encamped, forests gone, Union burned many of the "splendid barracks" the Rebels had used.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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From Camp Winfield Scott topics include Motts battery engaging the rebels, an account of Wheelock Veazey’s regiment driving the rebels back, references to several officers and their men and the losses during the skirmishes.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Writing somewhere near Richmond, Virginia topics include expression of sadness over the death of Captain William Parker Ainsworth of Nashua (May 30, 1862), a description of the Battle of Richmond (Peninsular Campaign), his praise for General McClellan and the reporting of the favorable opinion of...
Show moreWriting somewhere near Richmond, Virginia topics include expression of sadness over the death of Captain William Parker Ainsworth of Nashua (May 30, 1862), a description of the Battle of Richmond (Peninsular Campaign), his praise for General McClellan and the reporting of the favorable opinion of François-Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Marie d'Orléans, prince de Joinville of the Yankees.
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- Title
- William Bruidnell and Samuel Morey to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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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 C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include a description of the battle at Baton Rouge on August 5th, expresses his thoughts that the Rebels received misinformation about the strength of the Union forces thus suffering great losses, blowing up of a Rebel boat that was part of a CSA plan to attack Union gunboats, mentions ...
Show moreTopics include a description of the battle at Baton Rouge on August 5th, expresses his thoughts that the Rebels received misinformation about the strength of the Union forces thus suffering great losses, blowing up of a Rebel boat that was part of a CSA plan to attack Union gunboats, mentions "ram On Ransom", the death of Colonel George T. Roberts and General Williams.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Mother
- Description
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Topics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that...
Show moreTopics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that Holbrook replace Faillam, Holbrook’s desire to go into a regiment located in Virginia, Gen. Phelps and his opinions on the slave question, Gen. Butler's compliments to the regiment for its brave conduct in the Baton Rouge battle, sending home of the Secessionist's flag retrieved from Fort Pike, desire for newspapers from Vt.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes of the Battle of Cedar Creek, that the Union army was able to successfully rout the enemy by evening after the reverses of the morning, and that they were able to recover Captain Lucian D. Thompson’s body, which has been sent to Martinsburg to be embalmed and sent back to Vermont. He...
Show moreHenry writes of the Battle of Cedar Creek, that the Union army was able to successfully rout the enemy by evening after the reverses of the morning, and that they were able to recover Captain Lucian D. Thompson’s body, which has been sent to Martinsburg to be embalmed and sent back to Vermont. He also writes that he was hit four times but not hurt, and that Charlie Crossett (Edwin C. Crossett), also from Waterbury, was wounded in the jaw, but that he saw him in one of the charges helping to recapture a cannon. As well, he writes that his color sergeant, Billy Mahoney, was shot through the heart.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include Captain Dillingham returning to Brattleboro, the recommendation of Lieutenant Johnson for Captain, deep mud all over camp restricting movement, expecting the Elixir soon and hopes to sell it, the number of deaths in the regiment, and a description of Ed Wells.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he has returned to command the 10th Regiment and that many officers are unhappy with the way Lieutenant Colonel Chandler manages the regiment. He also writes that the regiment is being held in reserve at the moment near Petersburgh where the Union troops hold half the city and...
Show moreHenry writes that he has returned to command the 10th Regiment and that many officers are unhappy with the way Lieutenant Colonel Chandler manages the regiment. He also writes that the regiment is being held in reserve at the moment near Petersburgh where the Union troops hold half the city and the Rebels the other half and that it came under fire the previous day, with seven soldiers wounded. Reference to Lt. Col. Chandler & his command & to the loss of Frost & Stetso
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that the 10th Vermont was moved from the left to the right of the Union line in expectation of a battle, but the orders were bungled and the 10th came too late and only skirmished. They were then moved back to their old position on the left. Two soldiers were killed in the skirmish.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Written in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn’t nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells...
Show moreWritten in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn’t nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells fought like a “tiger”, men is good spirits, reflects on Gen. Lee is being defeated.
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