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
(181 - 200 of 295)
Pages
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Whitmore writes to Maria Barney of the improvement of Barney’s health, of Barney advising Maria to keep the cow and the possibility of returning to Vermont in the near future.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of the routine of camp life, drilling the men, and of the creation of the “Awkward Squad,” a group of men that needs extra drilling. He also writes of his relief that the money he sent has been received, and of his wish that his wife hire help for her work in the garden. As well, he...
Show moreBarney writes of the routine of camp life, drilling the men, and of the creation of the “Awkward Squad,” a group of men that needs extra drilling. He also writes of his relief that the money he sent has been received, and of his wish that his wife hire help for her work in the garden. As well, he states he hasn’t drunk ale in 3 months.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and Fred (even if not quite intelligible).
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Brief letter notifying his wife, Maria, that the Regiment is moving to New Bern, North Carolina, and his brother, Lester, will be returning to Vermont, perhaps traveling as a nurse with the Vermont soldiers from the hospital at Fort Monroe.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of having only 83 men on duty due to sickness, and that he is currently in command of the fort, though General Wistar would be returning soon after a raid on guerillas. He also comments on the lack of experience of the colored regiment. The rest of the letter contains comments and...
Show moreBarney writes of having only 83 men on duty due to sickness, and that he is currently in command of the fort, though General Wistar would be returning soon after a raid on guerillas. He also comments on the lack of experience of the colored regiment. The rest of the letter contains comments and questions about life at home in Swanton.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of gifts given to his wife, Maria, and daughter Carrie by his cousin, Silas L. Griffith of Danby, and also of his attempt to buy a horse in Vermont from George but $300 asking price too high. He also writes of a storm that blew down the Chaplain’s tent, how the officers’ winter...
Show moreBarney writes of gifts given to his wife, Maria, and daughter Carrie by his cousin, Silas L. Griffith of Danby, and also of his attempt to buy a horse in Vermont from George but $300 asking price too high. He also writes of a storm that blew down the Chaplain’s tent, how the officers’ winter quarters are progressing & eating well with food available.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of wishing his wife happy birthday, commenting on how much older he looks now, of his happiness at receiving the box containing larger shirts, of his appreciation at receiving a “love letter” tucked in one of the pockets and writes of the rumor of the fall of Charlestown.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of receiving a letter from his wife, confirming the arrival of the box he sent, of photographs, of the uncertainty in military life, confessing that he doesn’t read the Bible as often as he should, of being able to set up the wall tents and the difference this will make in his...
Show moreBarney writes of receiving a letter from his wife, confirming the arrival of the box he sent, of photographs, of the uncertainty in military life, confessing that he doesn’t read the Bible as often as he should, of being able to set up the wall tents and the difference this will make in his comfort. Encourages his wife to remain happy and how his happiest times were spent with her and the children.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Writing from Camp Douglas in Chicago, Ill. Barney reflects on and hopes for an end to the war, his loneliness, longing to be with his family, of money he owed being paid on J. P. Jewetts books, inquiring of family, of receiving letters from his children and requesting photographs of them so he...
Show moreWriting from Camp Douglas in Chicago, Ill. Barney reflects on and hopes for an end to the war, his loneliness, longing to be with his family, of money he owed being paid on J. P. Jewetts books, inquiring of family, of receiving letters from his children and requesting photographs of them so he can get them "painted and framed".
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include the weather in Chicago, the desire to return home, and the improvement in Barney’s health.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include discussing her trip to Danby, promotions in the Regiment, deserters returning to his Company, his brother Elisha being robbed in Washington, D.C., and a description of his rooms.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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A letter to Maria Barney telling her of Valentine Barney's illness (Bilious Fever) written by 1st Sgt. Whitmore. He writes of the probability the regiment will not be paid soon thus Barney asking for $25 be sent, that Barney is receiving the best medical care by a widow (Mrs. Snow) in a private...
Show moreA letter to Maria Barney telling her of Valentine Barney's illness (Bilious Fever) written by 1st Sgt. Whitmore. He writes of the probability the regiment will not be paid soon thus Barney asking for $25 be sent, that Barney is receiving the best medical care by a widow (Mrs. Snow) in a private home and a Corporal has been assigned to stay with him.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Still at Camp Douglas with the Regiment remaining in Chicago to guard 1500 expected Rebel prisoners from Arkansas, good supper on tin dishes, getting teased about writing to his wife so frequently, the reported resignation of a brother of Lieut. Sherman in Company C because he was passed over for...
Show moreStill at Camp Douglas with the Regiment remaining in Chicago to guard 1500 expected Rebel prisoners from Arkansas, good supper on tin dishes, getting teased about writing to his wife so frequently, the reported resignation of a brother of Lieut. Sherman in Company C because he was passed over for promotion, love to his daughter Carrie and son Fred.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Writing from Camp Seigle near Winchester, Va. topics include having a good meal, postal service finally getting the mail on the road only to be handed off and the rider now missing, the burning of the city (Winchester?), being invited to take refreshments by city residents but declining as he did...
Show moreWriting from Camp Seigle near Winchester, Va. topics include having a good meal, postal service finally getting the mail on the road only to be handed off and the rider now missing, the burning of the city (Winchester?), being invited to take refreshments by city residents but declining as he did not want to risk being poisoned, Lieutenant Jewett on picket duty, attended worship service, misses his young children, and the hope that the 10th regiment will arrive in camp.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of visiting Captain Kelley at “Bogue Sound” and of how the Regiment is gaining health, though many still have the “shakes.” He also asks after news of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney thinking he is with Gen. Meade & in pursuit of Lee and how the recruiting is going in Swanton for...
Show moreBarney writes of visiting Captain Kelley at “Bogue Sound” and of how the Regiment is gaining health, though many still have the “shakes.” He also asks after news of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney thinking he is with Gen. Meade & in pursuit of Lee and how the recruiting is going in Swanton for the 9th Regiment.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include Barney’s apologies for how poorly he writes letters, making money by selling the Quarter Master’s horse at a profit, asking for photos of the children and an argument he is having with his wife about chores at home asking if a boy could not be taken in and have him pay for board by...
Show moreTopics include Barney’s apologies for how poorly he writes letters, making money by selling the Quarter Master’s horse at a profit, asking for photos of the children and an argument he is having with his wife about chores at home asking if a boy could not be taken in and have him pay for board by doing the chores.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Writes of visualizing home and the children, his disgust with Copperheads, and his approval of Lincoln’s proclamation regarding deserters, as he feels that soldiers are enticed into deserting by Southern sympathizers. He also apologizes for his response to Maria’s letter dated February 23rd.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of the monotony of camp life in the fort and his wish for more action. Reflects on how the Rebels must see the hopelessness of their cause, mentions wishing to go to Charlestown, Va to help win the city and of the weather is getting cooler, but the many men still sick. Is glad Maria...
Show moreBarney writes of the monotony of camp life in the fort and his wish for more action. Reflects on how the Rebels must see the hopelessness of their cause, mentions wishing to go to Charlestown, Va to help win the city and of the weather is getting cooler, but the many men still sick. Is glad Maria is enjoying the outdoor excursions of fishing and riding.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include Thomas Cunliffe reported as a deserter, dental work done, $80 draft sent to Maria, getting help for her during the winter including getting milking done by Alfred or Has, surprised by the number of babies being born in Swanton during war time, and the antics of a Rebel prisoner.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include Barney taking a ride down the Beaufort road and seeing a painted house whose resident wishes to buy Barney's horse. He also writes strong advice to his wife to find someone else to milk the family’s cow, as he does not want her exerting herself so much. Mentions that a discharged...
Show moreTopics include Barney taking a ride down the Beaufort road and seeing a painted house whose resident wishes to buy Barney's horse. He also writes strong advice to his wife to find someone else to milk the family’s cow, as he does not want her exerting herself so much. Mentions that a discharged Rebel soldier has just come into camp with information and wishes for fresh apples.
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