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
Pages
- Title
- Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was...
Show moreTopics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was the Battle of Hanover Court House, 18 miles north of Richmond, on May 27th, 1862. Mentions the appointment of Col. George J. Stannard to lead the Vt. 9th Regiment.
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- Title
- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Writes of Brigade drill under General Smith, picket duty, prospect of detachment from brigade to go south, much illness among the men including a case of small pox, upcoming promotion of Lt. Crossman, cold weather, upcoming grand review by General McClellan.
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- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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August 26, 1861 from Great Falls Maryland. Writes of furloughs and discharges not being granted without good cause, illness among the men including measles, duty guarding the river, good fishing, having acquired a horse, quarters in an old hotel with creature comforts.
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- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Writes of authority to enlist 40 men, Lt. Hoyt to go to Vermont to recruit instead of Charles Dillingham, need for good men, will try to discharge from the record those men who have died, were ordered to be in light marching order. May be to attack rebel camp across the river at Falls Church,...
Show moreWrites of authority to enlist 40 men, Lt. Hoyt to go to Vermont to recruit instead of Charles Dillingham, need for good men, will try to discharge from the record those men who have died, were ordered to be in light marching order. May be to attack rebel camp across the river at Falls Church, some illness among the men.
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- Title
- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Writes of wishing to be sent food such as dried beef, cheese, pickles, maple sugar, crackers. Mentions Bush Hill, camping in rainy weather with everything they had being wet, brigade review by General Smith, discontent among the officers. In need of recruits.
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- Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
- Description
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Charles F. Bancroft of Woodbury, the adopted son of Smiley Bancroft, enlisted in the 4th Vermont Regiment, Co. H, on August 28, 1861, as a Corporal. He died of disease on April 30, 1862. Bancroft's collection includes letters to and from Charles F. Bancroft as well as a letter by George F. Davis...
Show moreCharles F. Bancroft of Woodbury, the adopted son of Smiley Bancroft, enlisted in the 4th Vermont Regiment, Co. H, on August 28, 1861, as a Corporal. He died of disease on April 30, 1862. Bancroft's collection includes letters to and from Charles F. Bancroft as well as a letter by George F. Davis informing Smiley Bancroft and his wife of their son Charles' death, April 30, 1862.
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- Title
- Charles F. Bancroft to [Family]
- Description
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Topics include setting up a choir at camp and organizing the sale of Vermont butter.
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- Charles F. Bancroft to Mary Bancroft
- Description
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Topics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident...
Show moreTopics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident as a soldier (enjoys picketing) and is certain he could serve another two years if asked.
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- Title
- Charles H. Blinn Civil War Diary, 1861-1862
- Date Created
- 1861-1862
- Description
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Charles Henry Blinn was born in Burlington, Vt. on January 27, 1843 to Chauncey and Edatha/Editha (Harrington) Blinn. He was educated in Vermont and was preparing to enter the University of Vermont when he entered the army. In September 21, 1861, Blinn enlisted in the 1st Vt. Cavalry. He was...
Show moreCharles Henry Blinn was born in Burlington, Vt. on January 27, 1843 to Chauncey and Edatha/Editha (Harrington) Blinn. He was educated in Vermont and was preparing to enter the University of Vermont when he entered the army. In September 21, 1861, Blinn enlisted in the 1st Vt. Cavalry. He was attached to Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps, and participated in a number of battles, including Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, Winchester, and Cedar Creek. His regiment captured forty-two cannon at Cedar Creek, the largest number taken by any regiment during the war. Blinn was wounded and taken prisoner at Middletown, Va. on May 24, 1862, in a cavalry charge led by General Banks, and was held at Lynchburg and Belle Island, Va. from May 25 to September 17. After three years and four months of service, he was honorably discharged at Burlington in November 18, 1864.After the war, Blinn was chief clerk for two years at the Welden House in St. Albans, Vt. He moved to California in 1868, and for six years was employed with the Wells-Fargo Express Co. In 1875, he became an editorial writer of the “Alta California.” In 1878, he was appointed chief permit clerk in the San Francisco Custom House, a position he held until his death on May 11, 1926. On December 15, 1870, Blinn married Nellie Holbrook of Salem, NH. Nellie (d. 1909) was a suffragist and public speaker, and took the stump for Hayes, Garfield, Blaine, and Harrison. The couple had one son, Holbrook (1872-1928), who pursued a career in acting and performed on Broadway as well as in silent films. In October 8, 1910, Blinn married Vivian Bailey (d. 1944), a grammar school teacher, with whom he had one daughter, Eleanor.
Topics in Blinn’s diaries include the experiences of Union soldiers in camp, on the battlefield, and as prisoners of war in Confederate prisons; the experiences of Southerners in Union-occupied towns, illness and medical practices in the military, and the Battle of Gettysburg.
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- Title
- Charles H. Blinn Civil War Diary, 1862-1864
- Date Created
- 1862-1864
- Description
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Charles Henry Blinn was born in Burlington, Vt. on January 27, 1843 to Chauncey and Edatha/Editha (Harrington) Blinn. He was educated in Vermont and was preparing to enter the University of Vermont when he entered the army. In September 21, 1861, Blinn enlisted in the 1st Vt. Cavalry. He was...
Show moreCharles Henry Blinn was born in Burlington, Vt. on January 27, 1843 to Chauncey and Edatha/Editha (Harrington) Blinn. He was educated in Vermont and was preparing to enter the University of Vermont when he entered the army. In September 21, 1861, Blinn enlisted in the 1st Vt. Cavalry. He was attached to Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps, and participated in a number of battles, including Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, Winchester, and Cedar Creek. His regiment captured forty-two cannon at Cedar Creek, the largest number taken by any regiment during the war. Blinn was wounded and taken prisoner at Middletown, Va. on May 24, 1862, in a cavalry charge led by General Banks, and was held at Lynchburg and Belle Island, Va. from May 25 to September 17. After three years and four months of service, he was honorably discharged at Burlington in November 18, 1864.After the war, Blinn was chief clerk for two years at the Welden House in St. Albans, Vt. He moved to California in 1868, and for six years was employed with the Wells-Fargo Express Co. In 1875, he became an editorial writer of the “Alta California.” In 1878, he was appointed chief permit clerk in the San Francisco Custom House, a position he held until his death on May 11, 1926. On December 15, 1870, Blinn married Nellie Holbrook of Salem, NH. Nellie (d. 1909) was a suffragist and public speaker, and took the stump for Hayes, Garfield, Blaine, and Harrison. The couple had one son, Holbrook (1872-1928), who pursued a career in acting and performed on Broadway as well as in silent films. In October 8, 1910, Blinn married Vivian Bailey (d. 1944), a grammar school teacher, with whom he had one daughter, Eleanor.
Topics in Blinn’s diaries include the experiences of Union soldiers in camp, on the battlefield, and as prisoners of war in Confederate prisons; the experiences of Southerners in Union-occupied towns, illness and medical practices in the military, and the Battle of Gettysburg.
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- Title
- Charles H. Joyce to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include C.H. Joyce's hope of being put in charge of the 11th regiment and anticipation of the camp moving. This would be the evacuation of Harrison's Landing, where McClellan had kept his Army of the Potomac for several weeks. Joyce refers to "old W." (Wash. DC?) and "Gov. H.," Frederick...
Show moreTopics include C.H. Joyce's hope of being put in charge of the 11th regiment and anticipation of the camp moving. This would be the evacuation of Harrison's Landing, where McClellan had kept his Army of the Potomac for several weeks. Joyce refers to "old W." (Wash. DC?) and "Gov. H.," Frederick Holbrook, influential governor of Vt., 1861-1863. Also: Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862, where Joyce performed well.
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- Title
- Conductors Will Pass Free
- Description
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A railroad military pass for Col. Roswell Farnham allowing passage from Alexandria (Va.) to Brandy (maybe, Brandy, Va.)
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- Daniel S. White Correspondence
- Description
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Daniel S. White was born March 12, 1837, in Reading, Vermont, the son of Calvin and Charlotte White. He enlisted as a sergeant in Company I, 2nd Vermont Volunteers on May 7, 1861 in Cavendish, Vermont. He was promoted to lieutenant January 8, 1863 and was commissioned as captain on January 26,...
Show moreDaniel S. White was born March 12, 1837, in Reading, Vermont, the son of Calvin and Charlotte White. He enlisted as a sergeant in Company I, 2nd Vermont Volunteers on May 7, 1861 in Cavendish, Vermont. He was promoted to lieutenant January 8, 1863 and was commissioned as captain on January 26, 1863. White was discharged on October 24, 1864 because of wounds received at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. He died in June, 1912 in Chicago, Illinois. White's correspondence consists of seven letters written to Maria E. Howe of Ludlow, Vermont, the daughter of Gardner I. and Mariah (Sawtell) Howe. Daniel and Maria married March 8, 1864, in Ludlow, Vermont. The letters describe events such as the execution of a soldier for murder and the taking of civilian prisoners. He also writes about the tragedy of the Civil War and about the fear of dying in battle. The final letter on May 10, 1864 describes a wound he received at the Battle of the Wilderness.
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- Title
- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
- Description
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Short letter mentioning photographs, pay, and his health.
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- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
- Description
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Topics include taking a Negro woman and her children as prisoners to keep them safe from their master, anticipation of a battle, false rumor that officers appropriated a box meant for the soldiers for it was delivered to the men.
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- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
- Description
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He writes of the return to Vermont of his wife’s brother, Oramel G. Howe, of sending her a can of milk, as well as other items, going to Brandy Station on business, having drill practice and of witnessing a horse race in which $1000 was the prize.
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- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
- Description
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Letter includes a poetic description of nature, contrasting with itthe blight of slavery, and his hope for the end of the war. It also includes ruminations on death in the field versus a natural death at home. As well, he writes of love. He then gives details of the health of his Company,...
Show moreLetter includes a poetic description of nature, contrasting with itthe blight of slavery, and his hope for the end of the war. It also includes ruminations on death in the field versus a natural death at home. As well, he writes of love. He then gives details of the health of his Company, including the news that Sergeant Beckwith was bitten by a snake, and mentions several visitors.
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- Title
- Daniel S. White to Maria Howe White
- Description
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Topics include a photograph of Maria with a new hair style and a joking encounter with another officer about the photograph. He also writes of memories of his youth and how he would never have believed there would be a civil war and that he would participate in one.
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- Daniel S. White to Maria Howe White
- Description
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Letter written to reassure his wife that he was alive, though wounded in the leg, after the Battle of the Wilderness.
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- Diary of Horace Barlow