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
(1 - 20 of 779)
Pages
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- ? to Lorenzo Thomas
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Topics include the request to inquire after statements made by the Major General, and a request for an investigation of the Battle of Baton Rouge by a court of inquiry.
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- [C. W.] Seaton to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include the nomination of Governor Holbrook for the Lieut-Colonelcy of the 1st Regiment Berdan's Sharp Shooters and John Wolcott Phelps' opinion of nominating Captain Ripley of Rutland for the position instead.
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- [Frederick Holbrook] to [F. F. Holbrook]
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Topics include a summary of Frederick Holbrook's requests for General Phelps to go to Washington to discuss the 7th Vermont Regiment. Reference to Senator Foote is probably Solomon Foot, senator from Vermont (1851-1866).
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- [Henry Harrison Wilder] to ?
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Henry writes from Camp Holbrooke in St. Albans (5th Regiment Vt Volunteers Co. B) that he is taking a route on the east side of the mountain instead of the Rutland and Burlington Railroad.
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- [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother
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Henry writes from his camp at Chain Bridge of his journey made by the 5th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers from Springfield to Washington D.C. and on to Marellian Hill and then to Chain Bridge. Speaks of soldiers being shot almost everyday by the Rebels and of orders to march to Fairfax Court,...
Show moreHenry writes from his camp at Chain Bridge of his journey made by the 5th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers from Springfield to Washington D.C. and on to Marellian Hill and then to Chain Bridge. Speaks of soldiers being shot almost everyday by the Rebels and of orders to march to Fairfax Court, requests postage stamps.
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- Title
- [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother
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Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia of the difficulty of camp life, of Fenton being very ill and taken to Georgetown to the General Hospital.
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- [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother
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Henry writes from Camp Holbrooke in St. Albans of the 5th Vt Vol Regiment to his mother about rainy weather, acting as Corporal of the Guard, and receiving pay for his services and talks about how his pay should be handled.
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- [Lamuay] to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include errors in Colonel Phelps' rolls and a special order allowing Colonel Phelps to decide where the 1st Regiment Vermont Volunteer Militia will camp.
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- [Lawrence] D. Clark, [William] W. Pelton, [Hiram] E. Perkins, [Dudley K.] Andross, [Oscar S.] Tuttle, [William] H. Boynton, [Joseph] Bush, [David B.] Peck, [Eben S.] Hayward, and Wm. Y. W. Ripley to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include the commanding officers of the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia requesting the 1st Regiment be allowed to stay at the Willard Hotel.
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- [Le Grand B. Cannon] to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include General Phelps returning to Vermont and addressing members of the Legislature. (Phelps resigned his commission Aug. 21, 1862 after Washington rejected his recruitment of African Americans to fight for the Union.) Cannon invites Phelps to visit him to talk about the war.
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- A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
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- Albert A. May Correspondence
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Albert A. May of Ludlow enlisted in Co. A, Second Vermont Infantry, in May, 1861, at the age of 17. He reenlisted in December 1863 and was promoted to corporal, and later sergeant. He received a commission as Second Lieutenant in Co. I in June, 1865, but was mustered out of service the following...
Show moreAlbert A. May of Ludlow enlisted in Co. A, Second Vermont Infantry, in May, 1861, at the age of 17. He reenlisted in December 1863 and was promoted to corporal, and later sergeant. He received a commission as Second Lieutenant in Co. I in June, 1865, but was mustered out of service the following month. Though wounded at the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, he served with his regiment from the very beginning to the very end of its existence. The letters describes the skirmish at Lewinsville, September 28, 1861, the improved morale of the Army of the Potomac, and rumors about the regiment being sent home to enforce conscription.
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- Title
- Albert A. May to Friend
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Writes from Marcy Camp Advanced in Northeastern Virginia of injuries and death sustained in a "Skermisher" due to confusion among the men and friendly fire, mentions 4th and 5th regiments also camped in the area.
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- Albert A. May to Friends
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Writing from White Oak Church, Bell Plains, Va. topics include being in good health, the warm spring weather, a year since the Army of the Potomac started their summer campaign, the army in good spirits, hoping that the 2nd Vt. will be lucky and be sent home, and the prediction that May only has...
Show moreWriting from White Oak Church, Bell Plains, Va. topics include being in good health, the warm spring weather, a year since the Army of the Potomac started their summer campaign, the army in good spirits, hoping that the 2nd Vt. will be lucky and be sent home, and the prediction that May only has fifteen months left in the service.
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- Title
- Albert B. Jewett to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Letter discussing Jewett’s possible promotion to Brigadier General (as Jewett's name is on a list for promotions) and Jewett willing to help get a staff position for Gov. Dillingham's son if Jewett is promoted.
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- Alfred H. Keith to John Lester Barstow
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Topics include being relieved from duties, money.
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- Asa P. Blunt
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A pass for Lt. Col. Roswell Farnham, G. G. Benedict, and Mary Farnham to go to Washington signed by Asa P. Blunt, Col. Commanding at Wolf Run Shoals, Va.
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- Asa P. Blunt
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Pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington for 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commander of Brigade ; extended 48 hours by Maj. Genl. Heintzelman.
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- Asa P. Blunt
- Description
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A pass for Mary Farnham, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Vaughan, and Mrs. Peach to go to Washington.
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- Asa P. Blunt
- Description
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A pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington to return in 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commanding 2nd Brigade Casey's Division.