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
(561 - 580 of 1,351)
Pages
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include a few deaths in the regiment, a description of the Battle at Baton Rouge (August 5, 1862) , and the resignation and promotions within the regiment.
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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include his health and the sore on his hand, the family situation in Vermont, including the separation of his parents and how things have changed since he left, and how Sunday is usually the day the army usually has an inspection or moves.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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From Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s common cold, asking for leave denied, only those with wife and babies being allowed to go home, the rumor that Texas and Tennessee has been ordered to surrender, has received $33 in military pay and the expectation to stay at Camp Holbrook for another...
Show moreFrom Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s common cold, asking for leave denied, only those with wife and babies being allowed to go home, the rumor that Texas and Tennessee has been ordered to surrender, has received $33 in military pay and the expectation to stay at Camp Holbrook for another month.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include getting ready to march with the 19th Corps against Fort Bisland and Colonel Thomas’ confidence in the 8th Vermont. He also writes that the regiment marched over 100 miles and captured 2,200 prisoners in an addendum to his letter, dated April 21.
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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Two letters dated April 4th and 6th. Writing after arriving at Ship Island, Mississippi topics include observing the Sabbath,his devotion for the Bible, arriving on shore, digging and finding plenty of fresh water, being treated with food from the Mass. 30th, thinking war may be over before he...
Show moreTwo letters dated April 4th and 6th. Writing after arriving at Ship Island, Mississippi topics include observing the Sabbath,his devotion for the Bible, arriving on shore, digging and finding plenty of fresh water, being treated with food from the Mass. 30th, thinking war may be over before he gets a chance to fight and the expectation of capturing New Orleans.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Gale writes that his company had been busy digging entrenchments in preparation for an assault on Port Hudson, and that rebels made a small raid to acquire some nearby guns but were repulsed. He also writes that deserters are coming in almost every day and report that rations are short in the...
Show moreGale writes that his company had been busy digging entrenchments in preparation for an assault on Port Hudson, and that rebels made a small raid to acquire some nearby guns but were repulsed. He also writes that deserters are coming in almost every day and report that rations are short in the fort. As well he writes that there is a rumor that the Rebels had invaded Brashear City and took or burned items left by the 8th Regiment, and the Colonel Thomas reacted strongly, saying “he wished he could get one clip at them with his brigade.”
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include the sore on his hand and how it is healing, the summer-like weather and how the birds in Louisiana are different from the birds in Vermont, their campsite in Thibodeaux, Louisiana, and how much he dislikes southern cooking, which he calls “niger stoge” but has fresh fruit to eat....
Show moreTopics include the sore on his hand and how it is healing, the summer-like weather and how the birds in Louisiana are different from the birds in Vermont, their campsite in Thibodeaux, Louisiana, and how much he dislikes southern cooking, which he calls “niger stoge” but has fresh fruit to eat. He also writes about how much money he has made in speculation and of sending home a ring made from a beef bone by their drummer Walter Barnes.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include news about his father’s recent marriage, dinner at the home of a Massachusetts family that had been driven off a plantation they owned north of New Orleans, the money owed him by the government, and his speculation in watches.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes of receiving several letters from home, and describes the position of the Union army at Port Hudson. He writes of how the infantry is screening the artillery as they set up guns to bombard the fort, and of the number of deserters that are crossing their lines. He also writes of the...
Show moreGale writes of receiving several letters from home, and describes the position of the Union army at Port Hudson. He writes of how the infantry is screening the artillery as they set up guns to bombard the fort, and of the number of deserters that are crossing their lines. He also writes of the fresh meat they are getting and how cayenne sent from home goes well with it. As well, he writes of how the army ignores Sundays, often marching long distances on those days, and that he wishes he were at the meeting house at home.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include a description of sightseeing in New Orleans and the difference in the city from a year earlier. He also mentions eating a custard pie and getting his watch cleaned.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes about having a relapse of fever after working two weeks supplying the contrabands, and being sent to a hospital in Baton Rouge. He also writes with news of his fellow soldier, Wesley (John Wesley Merriam) who is with him at the hospital. As well, he reports on what they are eating.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include reminiscences about attending church in Elmore and musings on the power of God to preserve him, a list of all the temptations available to soldiers in New Orleans, including swearing, playing cards, and drinking whiskey, and that liquor is as common as water in the city, with both...
Show moreTopics include reminiscences about attending church in Elmore and musings on the power of God to preserve him, a list of all the temptations available to soldiers in New Orleans, including swearing, playing cards, and drinking whiskey, and that liquor is as common as water in the city, with both men and women getting drunk.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while...
Show moreGale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while some complain of the conditions in the army, they are the ones who hadn’t been “weaned” yet.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O...
Show moreGale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O’Mara, on May 14th, and finishes his letter with a complaint against all those to whom he has written who have not yet replied, and gossip about Ira F. Grout of Elmore, Vermont.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include trying to figure out where letters may have gone missing, letters taking several weeks to arrive, not receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, the lack of details about the taking of New Orleans, and Justus Gale being on guard last night.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include the improved health of Justus Gale’s family, speaks of his religious faith, a discussion of deciding on Charley’s gravestone, and the separation of his Gale's parents.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include the movement of the company from Algiers to Lafourche, a description of the living situation at Algiers, the good food at camp including fresh fruit berries, water quality not good.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes that he developed a lameness while at Port Hudson and was sent to convalescent camp. While in camp, Gale and a partner took advantage of a business opportunity to bring rations to contrabands. He mentions going to Baton Rouge to draw the rations and says he now has a pony to ride to...
Show moreGale writes that he developed a lameness while at Port Hudson and was sent to convalescent camp. While in camp, Gale and a partner took advantage of a business opportunity to bring rations to contrabands. He mentions going to Baton Rouge to draw the rations and says he now has a pony to ride to make this and other things easier. He also writes that he has not been paid for a long time, and that he has heard General Lee has been captured but that this is not confirmed.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Writing to his sister topics include the journey from Camp Holbrook to Ship Island through New York via train car, mentions 45 rebel officers being taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, hopes the war to be over soon, thinks of his family back home and puts his faith in God to rule over all.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include the news that Gale has been sent to the General Hospital in New Orleans because of the sore on his hand, as he is unable endure a long march. He also writes that the hospital is quiet on the Sabboth and that the rooms are clean and the food is good, and includes a description what...
Show moreTopics include the news that Gale has been sent to the General Hospital in New Orleans because of the sore on his hand, as he is unable endure a long march. He also writes that the hospital is quiet on the Sabboth and that the rooms are clean and the food is good, and includes a description what he sees in the hospital. As well he writes of the difference in New Orleans from the previous year and tries to express to his sister what a big city is like.
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