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
(881 - 900 of 941)
Pages
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes with details of the Battle of Monocacy, including that he and Major Edwin Dillingham were nearly captured and only escaped by using two lame artillery horses. The 10th Vermont was on the left of the line, and when the line to the right of him collapsed, he was able to hold long...
Show moreHenry writes with details of the Battle of Monocacy, including that he and Major Edwin Dillingham were nearly captured and only escaped by using two lame artillery horses. The 10th Vermont was on the left of the line, and when the line to the right of him collapsed, he was able to hold long enough to let them retreat, and then retreat successfully himself, though cut off from the main army. He was complimented by General Wallace and General Rickett for bringing in both his regiment and the 87th Pennsylvania, when both were feared to be taken prisoner. He ends the letter abruptly by writing that Confederate forces were two miles away and he needed to go investigate.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that the mail is being held up in Washington until the Regiment moves, that he has received postage stamps as he requested and that nothing much is happening except that some of the line officers are getting up a little “breeze” against Captain Frost. Reference to Captain Dillingham...
Show moreHenry writes that the mail is being held up in Washington until the Regiment moves, that he has received postage stamps as he requested and that nothing much is happening except that some of the line officers are getting up a little “breeze” against Captain Frost. Reference to Captain Dillingham and Mr. Dillingham.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Still has no news about his discharge. The regiment has moved again, but though they are fixing up winter quarters, they are unsure of whether they will be allowed to stay. Henry has had a number of visitors of Waterbury men, including his brother, J. Edwin Henry.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he has returned to the regiment camped at Harrisonburgh, men cheered his returned and were in good spirits. Surgeon Willard A. Childe apologized to Henry for his behavior and spoke against Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Chandler, which pleased Henry. Reference to the death of...
Show moreHenry writes that he has returned to the regiment camped at Harrisonburgh, men cheered his returned and were in good spirits. Surgeon Willard A. Childe apologized to Henry for his behavior and spoke against Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Chandler, which pleased Henry. Reference to the death of Major Edwin Dillingham who died Sept 19th.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter discusses the Regiment’s position guarding the pass on South Mountain from the retreating Confederate army. As well he mentions the signs left by the battle that occurred there in 1862. Gettysburg is also mentioned, as well as hope that the war will end soon. Union general William Henry...
Show moreLetter discusses the Regiment’s position guarding the pass on South Mountain from the retreating Confederate army. As well he mentions the signs left by the battle that occurred there in 1862. Gettysburg is also mentioned, as well as hope that the war will end soon. Union general William Henry French mentioned a few times.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include being put in charge of the 10th Regiment for a few days, William Henry's wish to go home to see his family, the duties of being a Major, feeling very proud of his military promotion, Dress Parade well attended by some 400 to 500 people including Mr. Cummings who was Speaker of the...
Show moreTopics include being put in charge of the 10th Regiment for a few days, William Henry's wish to go home to see his family, the duties of being a Major, feeling very proud of his military promotion, Dress Parade well attended by some 400 to 500 people including Mr. Cummings who was Speaker of the House.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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News that the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union victory, how much he misses his wife, news that photographs he sent home were received, and the ill health of several members of the regiment.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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A brief letter telling of marching to the Maryland side of the Potomac River, guarding the river from Senaca Creek to Edwards Ferry, of a victory against the rebels, of having a horse to ride to enjoy the countryside and fresh vegetables to eat.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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A short letter written to reassure his wife, mentions arriving at Bull Run, marching, camping near Manassas Junction, the battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia (October 14), casualties of the rebels, horses killed and the number of cannons captured.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Letter written on his knee in an open field it discusses movement of the Brigade to South Mountain and the anticipation of the arrival of more troops. The lack of letters received from family members is also discussed.
- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes of heavy engagement of the Vermont 10th in battle and how the regiment has done itself proud. May be referring to Battle of Spotsylvania Court House or the Battle of the Wilderness. Few killed with few wounded from the regiment. One general was killed and another wounded by...
Show moreHenry writes of heavy engagement of the Vermont 10th in battle and how the regiment has done itself proud. May be referring to Battle of Spotsylvania Court House or the Battle of the Wilderness. Few killed with few wounded from the regiment. One general was killed and another wounded by sharpshooters. Reference to General Grant.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes during a lull in the Battle of Cold Harbor that he has been wounded and a finger amputated, and that he will be in the Division Hospital for around three weeks, until he can wield a saber again. He then writes movingly about the death of Captain Edwin B. Frost, lists the names of...
Show moreHenry writes during a lull in the Battle of Cold Harbor that he has been wounded and a finger amputated, and that he will be in the Division Hospital for around three weeks, until he can wield a saber again. He then writes movingly about the death of Captain Edwin B. Frost, lists the names of some of the wounded and makes reference to Gen. Grant to lay siege to Richmond, Va. The letter was dictated to Lieutenant George P. Welch.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and...
Show moreHenry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and that his family should keep up their courage during these “exciting times” and write to him often.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Henry writes that he has returned to Cedar Creek with a supply train of 500 wagons and was complimented on not losing one. He also reports that Mosby raided another supply train about ½ hour before Henry got into the area. He has not made a decision about resigning yet but will wait until he...
Show moreHenry writes that he has returned to Cedar Creek with a supply train of 500 wagons and was complimented on not losing one. He also reports that Mosby raided another supply train about ½ hour before Henry got into the area. He has not made a decision about resigning yet but will wait until he finds out where the regiment will be camped for the winter, and feels that they may remain in the Shenandoah Valley.
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- Title
- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
- Description
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Topics include being at camp at Seneca Locks, Md., sorrow over the death of his sister, how he likes being the major of the regiment, guarding a supply depot on the Potomac canal, and a religious service by the regimental chaplain.
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- 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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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
- Description
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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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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.
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- 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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