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
(261 - 280 of 295)
Pages
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Heart broken he not with wife for Thanksgiving, Capt. Dillingham rounding up Marylanders for the draft, a report on the health of several members or the regiment, anxious for letters from home.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Topics include the poor health of William Henry's sister Katie and the appointment of Acting Major.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Letter expressing his surprise that Charles L. Beebe passed his physical examination, and his reaction to his father-in-law’s distress over paying for a substitute. As well he discusses the possibility of the his wife buying his father-in-law’s farm in order to raise the money. He then draws a...
Show moreLetter expressing his surprise that Charles L. Beebe passed his physical examination, and his reaction to his father-in-law’s distress over paying for a substitute. As well he discusses the possibility of the his wife buying his father-in-law’s farm in order to raise the money. He then draws a word picture about the destruction faced by many farmers in Maryland, and Pennsylvania when large numbers of troops camp on their farms.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Writes as cannon fire shakes the ground in camp, speculates that this a big battle (There was a naval assault on Fort McAllister), reflects on hoping this battle will help end the war, is acting Lt. Col., wonders who might replace him as major, sickness in camp, and family matters including...
Show moreWrites as cannon fire shakes the ground in camp, speculates that this a big battle (There was a naval assault on Fort McAllister), reflects on hoping this battle will help end the war, is acting Lt. Col., wonders who might replace him as major, sickness in camp, and family matters including receiving photographs of his wife.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Writing from Camp Bradley (later Camp Holbrook) in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include anxious to see his baby boy, continued anticipation of appointment to Major and as acting Adjutant for 11th Regt.until Mr. Curtis of Burlington arrives.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses potential promotions for Col. Jewett and for himself, military pay, heavy expenses including owed to Sutler Geo Skiff, regiment to be at Poolsville, health of family and children as well as the potential for a visit from his wife. Appreciation for friends and family's help is...
Show moreLetter discusses potential promotions for Col. Jewett and for himself, military pay, heavy expenses including owed to Sutler Geo Skiff, regiment to be at Poolsville, health of family and children as well as the potential for a visit from his wife. Appreciation for friends and family's help is also mentioned, as well as keeping the farm and taking care of elderly parents.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include reflecting on Katie's death and William Henry being in command of five companies and five miles of the Potomac River along Seneca Creek.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Family matters, acknowledging the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union loss, health of several members of the regiment, and the possibility of an encounter with rebel cavalry, General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, soldiers happy about that, reference to Confederate Elijah V....
Show moreFamily matters, acknowledging the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union loss, health of several members of the regiment, and the possibility of an encounter with rebel cavalry, General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, soldiers happy about that, reference to Confederate Elijah V. White's calvary.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Family matters, ill health of the children with whooping cough, remedies recommended by the surgeon (sulphuric ether), rebels coming close the night before and taking prisoners, and the health of one of the members of the regiment.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include the good health of the regiment, him having a good bay horse as he needs to ride 15 miles to visit all the pickets and the need for friends and family in a time of loss.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Still has no news about his discharge. The regiment has moved again, but though they are fixing up winter quarters, they are unsure of whether they will be allowed to stay. Henry has had a number of visitors of Waterbury men, including his brother, J. Edwin Henry.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include being put in charge of the 10th Regiment for a few days, William Henry's wish to go home to see his family, the duties of being a Major, feeling very proud of his military promotion, Dress Parade well attended by some 400 to 500 people including Mr. Cummings who was Speaker of the...
Show moreTopics include being put in charge of the 10th Regiment for a few days, William Henry's wish to go home to see his family, the duties of being a Major, feeling very proud of his military promotion, Dress Parade well attended by some 400 to 500 people including Mr. Cummings who was Speaker of the House.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Short letter written in the field discussing a rumor that the Regiment will be moving to Fairfax Court House to await the “new men all get out” ; letters to be directed to letters 1st Brig. 3rd Div. 3rd A.C. Washington D. C ; includes a message for his young daughter Mollie.
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- 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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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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Letter discusses the movement of the troops towards the Rappahannock River on the repaired railroad, and his opinion of where winter quarters will be. He mentions his sister, Delia, who is married to a Southerner, and his desire for his wife to write her, since he feels it is imprudent for him to...
Show moreLetter discusses the movement of the troops towards the Rappahannock River on the repaired railroad, and his opinion of where winter quarters will be. He mentions his sister, Delia, who is married to a Southerner, and his desire for his wife to write her, since he feels it is imprudent for him to send her a letter at this time, will write her after he gets home.
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- Title
- 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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Two letters included (Oct 19 and Oct 21). Writes of the possibility of the officers bring their wives to visit when the regiment goes into winter camp, being part of a new brigade, his name being submitted to fill the vacant Lieutenant Colonel’s position, glad to receive the daily journal from home.