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
(1,021 - 1,040 of 1,066)
Pages
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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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
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Henry writes that the regiment has moved to within 4 miles of Winchester and that it looks like “winter camp,” as they have built a fort and dug rifle pits, and even built a brick fireplace. They were attacked the day after they arrived, but drove the Rebels away, and the next day the cavalry...
Show moreHenry writes that the regiment has moved to within 4 miles of Winchester and that it looks like “winter camp,” as they have built a fort and dug rifle pits, and even built a brick fireplace. They were attacked the day after they arrived, but drove the Rebels away, and the next day the cavalry went out and captured a gun, an ammunition train, and 150 prisoners. Henry feels he can’t leave the regiment while Lieutenant Colonel Chandler is still in the service, as the “boys will make a big fuss.”
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include receiving orders to abandon Harpers Ferry, the accidental explosion of a magazine while the 6th Maryland Regiment was trying to destroy it which resulted in 100 casualties, the movement of several Army Corps, and the replacement of General Hooker by General Meade.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he appreciates his wife’s letter which contained a description of Major Edwin Dillingham’s funeral. He also writes that he was Sixth Corps Officer of the Day and spent the whole day with General Ricketts, who seemed glad that he was back in command of the 10th Vermont.
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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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Short letter written in the early morning hours describing being surrounded by the Rebels, a raid on the railroad with tracks being torn up, the arrival of reinforcements from Washington, D.C., feels he will sleep well tonight.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses the destruction of the railroad by rebel troops, the location of the Army of the Potomac and how it is being supplied ; the activities of the men as they make winter camp, in addition to the hopes that the efforts won't be wasted. He also writes of the “lucky Tenth,” since none...
Show moreLetter discusses the destruction of the railroad by rebel troops, the location of the Army of the Potomac and how it is being supplied ; the activities of the men as they make winter camp, in addition to the hopes that the efforts won't be wasted. He also writes of the “lucky Tenth,” since none who stayed with the regiment have been wounded or killed.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Very brief note with Henry stating that the soldiers are under marching orders and have been ordered to take the train to Washington D.C. and that possibly they will be ordered to follow the Confederate forces towards Culpeper, Virginia.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Writes from headquarters at White Ford of the weather, the need to inspect the regiment "Conrad's Ferry", a good dinner put on by the officers of the “Left wing” of the Regiment, gifts given to Henry by Company H, news of Waterbury men in the Regiment, and his hopes in getting leave to return to...
Show moreWrites from headquarters at White Ford of the weather, the need to inspect the regiment "Conrad's Ferry", a good dinner put on by the officers of the “Left wing” of the Regiment, gifts given to Henry by Company H, news of Waterbury men in the Regiment, and his hopes in getting leave to return to Vermont.
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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.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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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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Brief letter expressing his hope for a leave of absence and anxiety that it might not be approved.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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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.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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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.