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
(81 - 96 of 96)
Pages
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes with news of the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson at the Battle of Cedar Creek. The letter was written after the morning fighting but before the counterattack in the afternoon. Henry hopes to recover Thompson’s body, if possible, after the next attack. He also mentions other...
Show moreHenry writes with news of the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson at the Battle of Cedar Creek. The letter was written after the morning fighting but before the counterattack in the afternoon. Henry hopes to recover Thompson’s body, if possible, after the next attack. He also mentions other officers who were wounded.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how...
Show moreLetter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how the men were "fighting mad" and ready to fight so as to earn a good report.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Brief letter stating receiving a letter from his wife with photographs, his being promoted to lieutenant colonel, and hearing fighting in the distance.
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- 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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Letter discusses the new location of the army, and the movement of the enemy across the Rapidan River as they retreat to their entrenchments. He also speculates on whether they have reached winter quarters as the area is good for such with wood and water available, as well as the hope of...
Show moreLetter discusses the new location of the army, and the movement of the enemy across the Rapidan River as they retreat to their entrenchments. He also speculates on whether they have reached winter quarters as the area is good for such with wood and water available, as well as the hope of receiving a leave of absence.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and...
Show moreHenry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and to ignore the papers that reported his death or that he was wounded in the head.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried...
Show moreHenry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried to raid Union wagons near Fredericksburg but was repulsed. Henry describes laying in the rifle pit, writing this letter while shots are going over his head, and mentions that he was shot at the night before, “but the fellow must have been a very poor shot...”
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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.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter written to Colonel Henry by two of his officers, Lieutenant Daniel Foster and Captain Henry H. Dewey, giving him news of the 10th Regiment while Henry is home on sick leave. Includes names of men sick, military drill daily schedules, 2nd Division out on reconnaissance with some fighting
- 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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Henry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away...
Show moreHenry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away from Petersburg.
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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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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Change of camp location to Monocacy, letters in the mail not catching up with him, getting a new servant named Johnny Cole of Walden, Vt., having Christmas dinner with a local citizen named Trundell a Southerner (perhaps same as Mr. Trundle that Joseph Rutherford helped heal) but who wishes good...
Show moreChange of camp location to Monocacy, letters in the mail not catching up with him, getting a new servant named Johnny Cole of Walden, Vt., having Christmas dinner with a local citizen named Trundell a Southerner (perhaps same as Mr. Trundle that Joseph Rutherford helped heal) but who wishes good relations with Union so his chickens & loose property will not be stolen), a slave (contraband) coming into camp & taken as a servant to the Lieut, speculation on who will command the brigade, and that he is in good health.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes briefly that his papers have not yet come, though General Seymour thinks they will come soon, and that the regiment is now guarding Fort Durham that is near Petersburg, Va..
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include the regiment’s move to Harpers Ferry, his sorrow at leaving the friends he had made while stationed near Poolsville, a description of the terrain around Harpers Ferry, how it reminds him of Vermont, and his feeling of security because of the 100 pound cannons which would allow him...
Show moreTopics include the regiment’s move to Harpers Ferry, his sorrow at leaving the friends he had made while stationed near Poolsville, a description of the terrain around Harpers Ferry, how it reminds him of Vermont, and his feeling of security because of the 100 pound cannons which would allow him to make a good fight.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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The letter discusses the "Old Vermont Brigade" that is camped near the 10th Vermont, and frequent meetings with old friends. The lack of movement of the army and the probability of no campaign in the fall and winter is also discussed, as well as his dislike of the actions of Colonel Jewett in...
Show moreThe letter discusses the "Old Vermont Brigade" that is camped near the 10th Vermont, and frequent meetings with old friends. The lack of movement of the army and the probability of no campaign in the fall and winter is also discussed, as well as his dislike of the actions of Colonel Jewett in terms of his extended time spent in Vermont, leaving all the work to Henry.
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