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
(821 - 840 of 1,368)
Pages
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Two letters dated Feb 10 and Feb. 15. Topics include the costs of newspapers and magazines, the chain of custody of Laura’s braids of hair, comfortable living conditions at the moment, Mary’s visit in camp, mention of a map sent to Charlie, news of friends seen, a trip to Washington where they...
Show moreTwo letters dated Feb 10 and Feb. 15. Topics include the costs of newspapers and magazines, the chain of custody of Laura’s braids of hair, comfortable living conditions at the moment, Mary’s visit in camp, mention of a map sent to Charlie, news of friends seen, a trip to Washington where they saw actress Maggie Mitchell (she was a Confederate sympathizer and friend of John Wilkes Booth), an incident with their dog, suggestions on refurbishing the house and money sent home.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include the expectation of being mustered, having a review and inspection, and receiving their pay.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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July 31, 1861. Topics include a description of Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort in reference to the letter head picture, of the Hygeia Hotel currently be used as a hospital, of the houses once occupied by Southerners now housing officers of the army, of a minor attack by the Rebels upon picket...
Show moreJuly 31, 1861. Topics include a description of Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort in reference to the letter head picture, of the Hygeia Hotel currently be used as a hospital, of the houses once occupied by Southerners now housing officers of the army, of a minor attack by the Rebels upon picket guard but none hit, a captain in the 1st N.Y. Regiment shooting one of his men believed to be drunk.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Mentions an artist is taking some pictures of camp life (photos? or drawings?) promises to send sketches he has made of camp home, the sick in camp including Mary, William Wallace and his best horse, has purchased another horse and will fatten him up,marching orders having been given, Rebels at...
Show moreMentions an artist is taking some pictures of camp life (photos? or drawings?) promises to send sketches he has made of camp home, the sick in camp including Mary, William Wallace and his best horse, has purchased another horse and will fatten him up,marching orders having been given, Rebels at Leesburgh, Drainsville, Centreville & at Union Mills, brief references to Copperheads at home.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Roswell Farnham warning is sister, Laura, about over eating, about his trip from Alexandria, Va. to Washington, D.C. and what he saw there, and the anticipation of his wife, Mary's starting her journey to camp.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Reflections on the dead in war soon forgotten, of graves (many unmarked) to be found where camped, of so many families never knowing what happened to their loved ones, of seeing the exposed bodies of dead soldiers in the Bull Run battlefield on a recent visit there, of 2nd Vt soldiers who died...
Show moreReflections on the dead in war soon forgotten, of graves (many unmarked) to be found where camped, of so many families never knowing what happened to their loved ones, of seeing the exposed bodies of dead soldiers in the Bull Run battlefield on a recent visit there, of 2nd Vt soldiers who died there all buried in a single trench, of hardships soldiers endure on the march & in camp & how folks at home know little or nothing about it.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Writing to sister Laura, topics include having to march to near Wolf Run Ford on the Occoquan River, Virginia, Farnham’s wife, Mary, staying at Mr. Whiley's, roads awful making the horses pull through fields and woods, troops carried their tents but the officers are waiting delivery of their...
Show moreWriting to sister Laura, topics include having to march to near Wolf Run Ford on the Occoquan River, Virginia, Farnham’s wife, Mary, staying at Mr. Whiley's, roads awful making the horses pull through fields and woods, troops carried their tents but the officers are waiting delivery of their tents, he now "at the front," rebel forces at Brentsville, explanation of what the pickets do and the death of Stratton of Fairlee of smallpox.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Writes to his sister, Laura, of his new house at Camp Vermont, describing it being built of logs, its rooms, mentions first brigade of his division having left and may have gone to Fredericksburg, his trip to Washington DC to the opening of Congress in the Capitol, and inquires of home.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include the regiments location relative to Alexandria, Virginia and Mount Vernon, a description of G. Mason ( a Southern secessionist), troops commandeering and occupation of Mason's property, the ruins of other mansions in the area, and the continued improvement of Laura’s health (Farnham...
Show moreTopics include the regiments location relative to Alexandria, Virginia and Mount Vernon, a description of G. Mason ( a Southern secessionist), troops commandeering and occupation of Mason's property, the ruins of other mansions in the area, and the continued improvement of Laura’s health (Farnham's sister).
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Another mention of the death of Cyrus Farnham, family financial issue addressed, reporting the death of four men in camp, $400 sent home and wishing Charlie Harding to acknowledge receipt.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include the accommodations in camp, Roswell Farnham’s health, and Roswell Farnham teaching the commissioned officers of the right wing.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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About ambrotype photo well received by Laura, that is well be protected by glass, his letter having been read in Sunday School by Mr. McKeen, instructions regarding financial matters at home, greetings to folks at home, inquiry about financial and other issues regarding Cyrus including wishing to...
Show moreAbout ambrotype photo well received by Laura, that is well be protected by glass, his letter having been read in Sunday School by Mr. McKeen, instructions regarding financial matters at home, greetings to folks at home, inquiry about financial and other issues regarding Cyrus including wishing to have a "miniature" by Cyrus, and Roswell Farnham being put in charge of the detachment of Wolf Run Shoals, more details about the Kelly's Ford engagement on the 17th.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include small disturbances by the rebels nightly, the discussion of discharges, the death of Jenny (a horse?), the very hot weather, mentioning of Mr. Batchelder giving money as needed, horses Burnie and White Face improving in health, reference to Mr. Chamberlin living at the house & the...
Show moreTopics include small disturbances by the rebels nightly, the discussion of discharges, the death of Jenny (a horse?), the very hot weather, mentioning of Mr. Batchelder giving money as needed, horses Burnie and White Face improving in health, reference to Mr. Chamberlin living at the house & the desire to have him leave if he is willing before Farnham returns home.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Brief note to Laura letting her know about the regiment moving to Warrenton Station or Warrenton Junction, Virginia and about Mary in Charleston (South Carolina?).
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Farnham writes to his sister, Laura, about the regiment moving to a new camp near Fairfax Courthouse (Fairfax, Virginia), the arrival of Mary Farnham and Mrs. Blunt, the movement of General Sigel and his 20 to 40,000 troops, and reference to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Dec 11-15).
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include two Louisiana Zouaves who were brought in by Col. Hawkins, accounts of their desertion and capture, rumors of an advancing Confederate force, and the anticipation of an enemy attack that never occurs. .
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Lt. Chamberlain resigns due to illness, General Stoughton taken prisoner by Fitz Hugh Lee’s Cavalry at the Court House (Virginia), the large number of sick men in camp many with typhoid fever, fears his best horse will not regain health, enclosed pictures (ambrotype, a photograph), suggested...
Show moreLt. Chamberlain resigns due to illness, General Stoughton taken prisoner by Fitz Hugh Lee’s Cavalry at the Court House (Virginia), the large number of sick men in camp many with typhoid fever, fears his best horse will not regain health, enclosed pictures (ambrotype, a photograph), suggested reading for Laura with specific book titles stated as well as books he is reading (Motley's History of the Dutch Republic and Woman in White), orders for Colonel Blunt to report to the station to take command of the Brigade, description of who is in the photos being sent home.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include Roswell Farnham being concerned about his sister Laura’s health.
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- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include telling of an incident with his horse, White Face, at Pope's Run on the railroad tracks with companion Nelson's horse falling resulting in Nelson landing in a stream below. Great excitement as a lot of troop movement reported. A train heading towards Centreville with forage and...
Show moreTopics include telling of an incident with his horse, White Face, at Pope's Run on the railroad tracks with companion Nelson's horse falling resulting in Nelson landing in a stream below. Great excitement as a lot of troop movement reported. A train heading towards Centreville with forage and army wagons, the movement of Hooker’s army at Wolf Run & at Occoquan, Gen. Robert E. Lee moving to Shenandoah Valley (part of Gettysburg Campaign) & being outmaneuvered by Hooker and a brief description of sights seen at Bull Run battlefield with remains of dead soldiers still visible.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include arranging for Mary Farnham and Colonel Blunt’s wife to travel to camp to visit and what they should bring.