Vermonters in the Civil War

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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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writes about the health of his children and God's will, anxious when receiving dispatches that the enemy is near, alerting the picket guards to be more alert, hearing many prisoners taken by the Rebels at Fairfax, wishes for more letters from home, is concerned for guards standing in the dark...
Show moreWrites about the health of his children and God's will, anxious when receiving dispatches that the enemy is near, alerting the picket guards to be more alert, hearing many prisoners taken by the Rebels at Fairfax, wishes for more letters from home, is concerned for guards standing in the dark with cold rain, reflects on when the war will end.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Misses his children, worries that his son Ferdie’s fits (Ferdinand Sherman Henry, born 1862) might have affected his intellect. Glad Mary Jane is horseback riding, reflects on losing precious time with family, wants his father-in-law (Lyman Beebe) to purchase sheep for him, since he feels they...
Show moreMisses his children, worries that his son Ferdie’s fits (Ferdinand Sherman Henry, born 1862) might have affected his intellect. Glad Mary Jane is horseback riding, reflects on losing precious time with family, wants his father-in-law (Lyman Beebe) to purchase sheep for him, since he feels they are a good speculation.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Two letters dated Oct 26 and Oct 28, asking his wife not to be depressed over him being gone, who his mess mates are (Col. Jewett, Surgeon Willard Augustus Childe, Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford, Almon Clark, Quartermaster A. B. Valentine, Sutler Reed Bascom & Sutler George Skiff), having a kitchen...
Show moreTwo letters dated Oct 26 and Oct 28, asking his wife not to be depressed over him being gone, who his mess mates are (Col. Jewett, Surgeon Willard Augustus Childe, Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford, Almon Clark, Quartermaster A. B. Valentine, Sutler Reed Bascom & Sutler George Skiff), having a kitchen and dinning room in his current log cabin, having a stewed rabbit for dinner, and family matters.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses the returned health of their son, possible plans for his family to come and stay with him in camp, and his uncertainty over what he might do when the war is over.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Brief letter expressing his hope for a leave of absence and anxiety that it might not be approved.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses the increased frequency of mail after been marching, newspaper reports of Copperheads in Vermont, the possibility of moving to a different location, command of the Regiment in addition to rumors about the possibility of getting a new commanding General, pride of the regiment with...
Show moreLetter discusses the increased frequency of mail after been marching, newspaper reports of Copperheads in Vermont, the possibility of moving to a different location, command of the Regiment in addition to rumors about the possibility of getting a new commanding General, pride of the regiment with praise from Gen. Morris, and the difficulty of obtaining a leave of absence while being part of the Army of the Potomac.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A brief letter stating that Henry is now in command of the 10th Vermont, that it is raining, and that he hopes the river at White Ford will rise to make it easier to guard.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A brief letter mentioning receiving letters from home, that he is in good health, states that folks back home get more regular news updates than he does.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A brief letter writing from camp in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include the birth of Henry's baby boy and a possible promotion to Major.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he has finally been examined by Dr. Hollman, Sixth Corps surgeon, and that he has approved Henry’s medical discharge, so he will be selling his horses and will probably leave for Washington the next day. He writes that his wife should follow the instructions to meet him in New...
Show moreHenry writes that he has finally been examined by Dr. Hollman, Sixth Corps surgeon, and that he has approved Henry’s medical discharge, so he will be selling his horses and will probably leave for Washington the next day. He writes that his wife should follow the instructions to meet him in New York which he sent in an earlier letter.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writes of rumors & the possibility of raids by the Rebels, a wedding between a corporal in the 10th Vermont and a Maryland woman, General Milroy’s retreat from Winchester by Ewell, the massing of Confederate troops across the river ; Mosby mentioned to have 500 men with him, challenges the...
Show moreWrites of rumors & the possibility of raids by the Rebels, a wedding between a corporal in the 10th Vermont and a Maryland woman, General Milroy’s retreat from Winchester by Ewell, the massing of Confederate troops across the river ; Mosby mentioned to have 500 men with him, challenges the accuracy of newspaper reporting compared to his account of military action.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Expresses big disappointment about preparing for a raid by Confederate General Jeb Stuart that never happened due to a Union military blunder, a pontoon bridge at Edward's Ferry (between Virginia and Maryland), mentions the names of several men regarding sickness in the regiment's companies,...
Show moreExpresses big disappointment about preparing for a raid by Confederate General Jeb Stuart that never happened due to a Union military blunder, a pontoon bridge at Edward's Ferry (between Virginia and Maryland), mentions the names of several men regarding sickness in the regiment's companies, sends kisses to his children.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Brief letter letting his wife know that he is camped near Catlett's Station, Virginia and the possibility of it being a winter camp for his regiment.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that the Sixth Corps has returned to Petersburg, and the 10th Vermont is camped near General Meade’s Head Quarters and they recently glimpsed General Grant leaving after a meeting. He has not yet been examined by Dr. Hollman, surgeon of the Sixth Corps, but when he is, he will know...
Show moreHenry writes that the Sixth Corps has returned to Petersburg, and the 10th Vermont is camped near General Meade’s Head Quarters and they recently glimpsed General Grant leaving after a meeting. He has not yet been examined by Dr. Hollman, surgeon of the Sixth Corps, but when he is, he will know his fate. He plans on visiting his brother, J. Edwin Henry, who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Vermont Infantry, is hearing rumors but no official word.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include the health of his son and wife, sending hundreds of dollars home & always wants to know that it is safely received, confiscating goods from Rebel sympathizers, turning the goods over to the government, the arrest of the landowner for harboring Confederate officers. Henry writes...
Show moreTopics include the health of his son and wife, sending hundreds of dollars home & always wants to know that it is safely received, confiscating goods from Rebel sympathizers, turning the goods over to the government, the arrest of the landowner for harboring Confederate officers. Henry writes that things are going well --"no change"-- and that the men are healthy (even though the weather is dry) ; upcoming courts martial.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Discusses the possibility of moving towards the front, and encourages his wife to seek comfort in her religious beliefs. Lack of pay from the Army, as well as the need for money for the family as well as himself is mentioned. The feelings that the troops have towards the inhabitants of the town...
Show moreDiscusses the possibility of moving towards the front, and encourages his wife to seek comfort in her religious beliefs. Lack of pay from the Army, as well as the need for money for the family as well as himself is mentioned. The feelings that the troops have towards the inhabitants of the town where they are staying, and the feelings of the town towards the troops, are also discussed. Mentions Mr. Trundle (correct spelling?)not expected to live. (The Trundel family befriended the Union officers despite being southern sympathizers. Mr. Trundel was given medical care by Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford).
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes of his disappointment that his wife was unable to leave Vermont, due to the sickness of their children, and his hopes that she will be able to come down to Virginia soon.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include having his leave of absence denied, disappointed but being philosophical about it, wanting to get a photograph of himself as a Lieutenant Colonel to send home, and family matters.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes with news of the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson at the Battle of Cedar Creek. The letter was written after the morning fighting but before the counterattack in the afternoon. Henry hopes to recover Thompson’s body, if possible, after the next attack. He also mentions other...
Show moreHenry writes with news of the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson at the Battle of Cedar Creek. The letter was written after the morning fighting but before the counterattack in the afternoon. Henry hopes to recover Thompson’s body, if possible, after the next attack. He also mentions other officers who were wounded.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how...
Show moreLetter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how the men were "fighting mad" and ready to fight so as to earn a good report.
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