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 - 278 of 278)
Pages
- 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.
- Title
- 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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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.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses his visit home, his desire to stay, but that his duty to his country prevents him from doing so. He also writes of the possible promotion of Col Albert B.Jewett to Brigadier General, and his desire for his daughter to be taught to sing.
- Title
- 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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Two letters dated Oct 26 and Oct 28, asking his wife not to be depressed over him being gone, who his mess mates are (Col. Jewett, Surgeon Willard Augustus Childe, Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford, Almon Clark, Quartermaster A. B. Valentine, Sutler Reed Bascom & Sutler George Skiff), having a kitchen...
Show moreTwo letters dated Oct 26 and Oct 28, asking his wife not to be depressed over him being gone, who his mess mates are (Col. Jewett, Surgeon Willard Augustus Childe, Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford, Almon Clark, Quartermaster A. B. Valentine, Sutler Reed Bascom & Sutler George Skiff), having a kitchen and dinning room in his current log cabin, having a stewed rabbit for dinner, and family matters.
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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.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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A brief letter writing from camp in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include the birth of Henry's baby boy and a possible promotion to Major.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include the health of his son and wife, sending hundreds of dollars home & always wants to know that it is safely received, confiscating goods from Rebel sympathizers, turning the goods over to the government, the arrest of the landowner for harboring Confederate officers. Henry writes...
Show moreTopics include the health of his son and wife, sending hundreds of dollars home & always wants to know that it is safely received, confiscating goods from Rebel sympathizers, turning the goods over to the government, the arrest of the landowner for harboring Confederate officers. Henry writes that things are going well --"no change"-- and that the men are healthy (even though the weather is dry) ; upcoming courts martial.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes of his disappointment that his wife was unable to leave Vermont, due to the sickness of their children, and his hopes that she will be able to come down to Virginia soon.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Brief letter stating he has been in charge of the Regiment since the Colonel is gone to Washington to get his wife, Henry camped 13 miles from Washington to which he will go to get money and request a furlough to be home for Thanksgiving.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he was extremely happy getting a letter from his wife, and that he is glad her “little difficulties” were better. He mentions speaking with Captain Frost about Frost's visit to Waterbury, and that Colonel Jewett is talking about resigning again.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes with plans to have his wife come down to Brandy Station, and lists all the wives that are currently there and that are coming, as well as all the activities he has planned for her. He has written for permission for her to come and confesses that the impetus for her visit was a grand...
Show moreHenry writes with plans to have his wife come down to Brandy Station, and lists all the wives that are currently there and that are coming, as well as all the activities he has planned for her. He has written for permission for her to come and confesses that the impetus for her visit was a grand dance at which there were over 400 officers and only 40 women. As well, he writes that he is lonesome.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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A very brief letter from Camp Washburn topics include inquiries after the well being of his baby boy and the anticipated promotion to Major.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses being paid, Paymaster, sending more money home as well as the desire to have all monies he has sent to his wife accounted for, mentions his "boy" Johnny (assistant/attendant). The prospect of buying sheep, health of family members, "fifth corps" entrenched across the river,...
Show moreLetter discusses being paid, Paymaster, sending more money home as well as the desire to have all monies he has sent to his wife accounted for, mentions his "boy" Johnny (assistant/attendant). The prospect of buying sheep, health of family members, "fifth corps" entrenched across the river, General Morris, may hear of the fall of Charleston soon, some men suffering from diarrhea, the potential movement of the Army of the Potomac.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Reflects on God's will regarding his children, Rebel cavalry movements, Union scouts were thought to be Rebels, a cow disturbing a picket guard and rousing the camp, the general despondency of the army and the worsening of the war if slaves enter the fighting turning on their masters. He also...
Show moreReflects on God's will regarding his children, Rebel cavalry movements, Union scouts were thought to be Rebels, a cow disturbing a picket guard and rousing the camp, the general despondency of the army and the worsening of the war if slaves enter the fighting turning on their masters. He also writes of his hopes of being promoted to colonel of the 10th Vermont.
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