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
(1,221 - 1,240 of 1,262)
Pages
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include the hardships of camp life, the sickness of Henry Daniels, wishing to be on his way home, selling the Elixir and liniment for twenty five dollars in two days.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Letter discusses the Regiment’s position guarding the pass on South Mountain from the retreating Confederate army. As well he mentions the signs left by the battle that occurred there in 1862. Gettysburg is also mentioned, as well as hope that the war will end soon. Union general William Henry...
Show moreLetter discusses the Regiment’s position guarding the pass on South Mountain from the retreating Confederate army. As well he mentions the signs left by the battle that occurred there in 1862. Gettysburg is also mentioned, as well as hope that the war will end soon. Union general William Henry French mentioned a few times.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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News that the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union victory, how much he misses his wife, news that photographs he sent home were received, and the ill health of several members of the regiment.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up",...
Show moreTopics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up", reference to the fall of Roanoke Island, North Carolina (February 7& 8, 1862) under the leadership of Ambrose Burnside, has sent money home,
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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A brief letter telling of marching to the Maryland side of the Potomac River, guarding the river from Senaca Creek to Edwards Ferry, of a victory against the rebels, of having a horse to ride to enjoy the countryside and fresh vegetables to eat.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter written on his knee in an open field it discusses movement of the Brigade to South Mountain and the anticipation of the arrival of more troops. The lack of letters received from family members is also discussed.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he has returned to Cedar Creek with a supply train of 500 wagons and was complimented on not losing one. He also reports that Mosby raided another supply train about ½ hour before Henry got into the area. He has not made a decision about resigning yet but will wait until he...
Show moreHenry writes that he has returned to Cedar Creek with a supply train of 500 wagons and was complimented on not losing one. He also reports that Mosby raided another supply train about ½ hour before Henry got into the area. He has not made a decision about resigning yet but will wait until he finds out where the regiment will be camped for the winter, and feels that they may remain in the Shenandoah Valley.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include being at camp at Seneca Locks, Md., sorrow over the death of his sister, how he likes being the major of the regiment, guarding a supply depot on the Potomac canal, and a religious service by the regimental chaplain.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Writes of feeling better from eating to many chestnuts, took Hibbards Pills, rustling cattle, pickets meeting up with Rebels with some, mentions friends and family life, misses his wife and young daughter Mollie.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter written by J. Edwin Henry to Mary Jane Henry, describing life in camp. He mentions that the picket lines are so close together that the soldiers talk to one another, and that one rebel soldier asked what Vermonters thought of “Mosby’s raid into St. Albans.” He also writes that there are...
Show moreLetter written by J. Edwin Henry to Mary Jane Henry, describing life in camp. He mentions that the picket lines are so close together that the soldiers talk to one another, and that one rebel soldier asked what Vermonters thought of “Mosby’s raid into St. Albans.” He also writes that there are few officers yet in the 17th, making more work for those that are there, and that the only regret he has in enlisting is that he left his mother alone. As well, he enquires whether his sister, Delia Henry Anderson, is still visiting Vermont, or whether she has returned to North Carolina yet.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he has celebrated the Fourth of July by writing letters to his “sister” Katie Parker, and to Eli B. Johnson, and that he couldn’t go to bed without writing a short letter to his wife, though his wound still pains him.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses the possibility of moving towards Richmond, news of the “reverse” in Tennessee. He was pleased that his father-in-law was able to purchase a flock of sheep and advised purchasing "Five Twenty" bonds with money he was sending by Express.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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September 29, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia. Writes of Second Vermont ordered out, casualties due to troop confusion and friendly fire, Munsons Hill, picket duty.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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The last two pages of a letter written on February 19 containing more plans for Mary Jane Henry’s visit to the 10th Vermont camp near Brandy Station. Henry describes a horse he has bought for his wife’s visit that is a ladies horse and can do tricks. He bought it from Mr. Offutt of Offutt’s Cross...
Show moreThe last two pages of a letter written on February 19 containing more plans for Mary Jane Henry’s visit to the 10th Vermont camp near Brandy Station. Henry describes a horse he has bought for his wife’s visit that is a ladies horse and can do tricks. He bought it from Mr. Offutt of Offutt’s Cross Roads and it belonged to his daughter, who was upset that he sold it.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Still at Camp Griffin, Va. topics include a love letter to William Henry's wife, the expected discharge of Ned Wells, of himself heading for home even if Wells is not discharged.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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The death a soldier due to disease, George Crossett, from Co B. Soldier's father was with him and will take the body to Washington & then return home, the effect it is having on the rest of the men.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that the weather has been stormy and the mud has returned, since his wife left camp, and that he has a sore throat and misses her. Reference to Capt Dillingham & Lt Thompson and to Colonel Jewett deciding not to resign at present, but may change his mind soon.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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.