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.
Show less
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
(81 - 100 of 169)
Pages
- Title
- Orlando S. Turner to Joseph and Louisa A. Turner
- Description
-
Turner writes from Washington, D.C. to his parents of 80,000 Union men, of being given a "splendid flag" and of sending them $10.
- Title
- Orlando S. Turner to Joseph and Louisa A. Turner
- Description
-
Topics include a brief account of the first Battle of Bull Run, Manassas, Virginia. Writes of the bravery of the soldiers, casualties and men killed, of his opinion that the officers were afraid to go where the soldiers were, damage to the American flag.
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]
- Description
-
Towle's regiment pursues the Rebels after finding their hasty departure from their camps. The men marched to the enemy's strong holds at Williamsburg, Virginia including Fort Magruder and a battle was fought. Killed and wounded reported. Soldiers had to endure heavy rain and muddy conditions....
Show moreTowle's regiment pursues the Rebels after finding their hasty departure from their camps. The men marched to the enemy's strong holds at Williamsburg, Virginia including Fort Magruder and a battle was fought. Killed and wounded reported. Soldiers had to endure heavy rain and muddy conditions. Some men did reconnaissance.
Show less
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Friends
- Description
-
Topics include Towle’s sickness Saturday night, of illness and death within the company and regiment, praise for officer Lieut. Pingree, reference to rumor of the capture of Savannah (does he refer to Georgia?), and a brief reference to the possible firing of guns at Fort Ethan Allen for some...
Show moreTopics include Towle’s sickness Saturday night, of illness and death within the company and regiment, praise for officer Lieut. Pingree, reference to rumor of the capture of Savannah (does he refer to Georgia?), and a brief reference to the possible firing of guns at Fort Ethan Allen for some victory somewhere.
Show less
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Friends
- Description
-
Writing seven miles from Richmond, Virginia topics include the mention of the Chickahominy River, a prediction of a battle and a description of skirmishes.
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Friends
- Description
-
Towle writes from near Yorktown and of firing upon and taking a Rebel fortification at Young's Mills with little resistance from the enemy. He writes a soldier was wounded soldier who was from the Rutland Company, 5th Regiment. The troops also marched to a well fortified encampment of the enemy....
Show moreTowle writes from near Yorktown and of firing upon and taking a Rebel fortification at Young's Mills with little resistance from the enemy. He writes a soldier was wounded soldier who was from the Rutland Company, 5th Regiment. The troops also marched to a well fortified encampment of the enemy. He was also in battle, men killed and wounded and the troops had difficulties with moving the artillery as the ground is march and swamp.
Show less
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Parents and Friends
- Description
-
Topics include Towle’s not receiving wages, the high prices of food, poverty in camp, the destruction of the countryside by the Rebels, how the Union soldiers are forbidden to even touch any property, the movement of the regiment in Virginia, and the attitude of the slaves towards the Yankees.
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
- Description
-
Towle responds to his parents' letter that expresses low morale at home, financial difficulties at home and Towle encourages the doing without luxuries on the home front as much as possible. He writes of a 30 hour picket trip, the capture of rebel two scouts, drills being only two a day and of a...
Show moreTowle responds to his parents' letter that expresses low morale at home, financial difficulties at home and Towle encourages the doing without luxuries on the home front as much as possible. He writes of a 30 hour picket trip, the capture of rebel two scouts, drills being only two a day and of a self inflicted wounding of a Union soldier requiring amputation of the wounded soldier's leg.
Show less
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
- Description
-
Writing from Newport News (Virginia?) topics include the journey from Alexandria to his new camp, mentions the destruction of Hampton, Va. by the Confederates, the "concentration of troops" for the possible purpose of advancing into Va. and the inefficiency of the Quarter Master resulting in the...
Show moreWriting from Newport News (Virginia?) topics include the journey from Alexandria to his new camp, mentions the destruction of Hampton, Va. by the Confederates, the "concentration of troops" for the possible purpose of advancing into Va. and the inefficiency of the Quarter Master resulting in the soldiers going hungry for a week. He makes reference to passing gun boats, gives a brief description and impression of the "renowned" Monitor (Ironclad) and Fort Monroe.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding
- Description
-
Camp Butler, Newport['s] News: Farnham assesses regiment and its destiny: "We are better situated." Action at Hampton resulted in many freed slaves. Provost marshall duties involving confiscated property and "loose" slaves. Press coverage is exaggerated; Farnham's pride in the Green Mtn. Boys;...
Show moreCamp Butler, Newport['s] News: Farnham assesses regiment and its destiny: "We are better situated." Action at Hampton resulted in many freed slaves. Provost marshall duties involving confiscated property and "loose" slaves. Press coverage is exaggerated; Farnham's pride in the Green Mtn. Boys; politics among regiment officers. Apology for any offensive remarks. Heavy rain for several days; more slaves arriving. Steamer Harriet Lane fires on rebel battery at Pig Point; also commandeers ship with livestock and other foodstuffs--cheers from the troops. Mentions "Hawkins Zouaves" and "the Germans." Names: Officers Butler, Phelps, Packard, Peckett; soldiers Stebbins, Geo. Flanders, McFarland.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the continued improvement of Roswell Farnham’s foot injury and orders to march the next day.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include Roswell inviting his wife to visit him, the predicted length of the war, and a elaborate dinner.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include his concern about anxiety at home after the Battle of Big Bethel; Farnham's desire to save his letters; domestic financial affairs; names of men in the hospital, and one death (Ph. Lougee); Maj. Worthen has a servant, a young black boy named Pompey Wind.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the celebration of the 4th of July and the health of Farnham and his comrades..
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
June 20, 1861. Topics include setting rumors straight. Farnham assures his wife that his chances of being killed are minimal. Notes that his provost marshal duties have lessened, possibly because fewer "negroes" are arriving, for fear that the North won't succeed! Reference to Dan Johnson and his...
Show moreJune 20, 1861. Topics include setting rumors straight. Farnham assures his wife that his chances of being killed are minimal. Notes that his provost marshal duties have lessened, possibly because fewer "negroes" are arriving, for fear that the North won't succeed! Reference to Dan Johnson and his rumors; also the secret why he returned home. Compliments for Capt. Andross, again, during Battle of Big (or Great) Bethel.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Two letters dated the 25th and 27th of June telling of marching to Centreville, camping beyond there, sharing a tent with the Chaplain, heavy rain, the brigade now reporting to General Reynolds of the 1st Army Corps, his horse Burnie sick again and knows the horse must go along or be put down. In...
Show moreTwo letters dated the 25th and 27th of June telling of marching to Centreville, camping beyond there, sharing a tent with the Chaplain, heavy rain, the brigade now reporting to General Reynolds of the 1st Army Corps, his horse Burnie sick again and knows the horse must go along or be put down. In the letter of the 27th tells of moving to Poolesville, Maryland, of his horse, Burnie, feeling better & may do fine and the soldiers being kept in the field until very end of their military service.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include performing several hours of battalion drills and reviews, rumors that the regiment will remain in Washington through the winter, and inquiries about the people at home.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the ill health of Mary Farnham and Nelson (mustard paste applied to his back), rumors and conflicting reports about the Rebels, about Hooker & about Lee, snakes in camp, the importance of keeping an open mind about possibly moving to the city after the war, comments on happiness...
Show moreTopics include the ill health of Mary Farnham and Nelson (mustard paste applied to his back), rumors and conflicting reports about the Rebels, about Hooker & about Lee, snakes in camp, the importance of keeping an open mind about possibly moving to the city after the war, comments on happiness versus wealth, the death of S. S. Leonard of Company H, paymaster has arrived with military pay and orders to move and guard the railroad.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the battle the previous Monday and the death of George Lougee from Vershire, Vermont. Farnham concerned that some of his letters may be misinterpreted and printed (presumably in the local press). Mentions Col. Phelps's anxiety, imminent court-martial of Mass. general, and some of...
Show moreTopics include the battle the previous Monday and the death of George Lougee from Vershire, Vermont. Farnham concerned that some of his letters may be misinterpreted and printed (presumably in the local press). Mentions Col. Phelps's anxiety, imminent court-martial of Mass. general, and some of the hardships of the campaign.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the food that the soldiers eat, and that pilfering from local farms--even "secessionist"--is forbidden. Farnham assures his wife that newspaper reports of the war are highly exaggerated. A rebel attack is unlikely before they return to Vt. A German scouting party caused a stir with...
Show moreTopics include the food that the soldiers eat, and that pilfering from local farms--even "secessionist"--is forbidden. Farnham assures his wife that newspaper reports of the war are highly exaggerated. A rebel attack is unlikely before they return to Vt. A German scouting party caused a stir with an accidental gun discharge. Col. Phelps assigns Farnham a camp security position--provost marshall. One concern is the slaves that have just left their masters, who arrive at Ft. Monroe with food to sell but may also be spies. The able-bodied are put to work; all others are considered for deportation to Liberia. Names: Officers Phelps, Peckett; Everett Shaw.
Show less