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.
Show less
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 24)
Pages
- Title
- Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
- Description
-
Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
- Title
- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
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.
- Title
- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
- Description
-
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.
- Title
- George J. Stannard to William Wirt Henry
- Description
-
Topics include inquiring after William Henry's health, the sickness in the regiment, and a brief description of drills and picket duty and makes mention of not being promoted, states Capt Dillingham to be promoted.
- Title
- Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
- Description
-
Writes of good postal service on letter delivery, of Sargent Charley Reed, of Captain Altherton, of wanting a photograph of Homer, general good health of the men, a heavy rain storm that flooded his tent, of going out on Battalion drill.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to [Family]
- Description
-
Writing from Brattleboro topics include drilling, a few companies being sworn into the United States service, Justus Gale’s health improving from a brief cold, mentions "rag" hash soup, boiled beef & potatoes, news of family members and the snow at camp.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Brother
- Description
-
Two letters dated April 24th and 25th. Topics include the capture of Fort Jackson(?) ; fort south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, [battle April 18-28], the food at camp good except greasy pork meat, and the schedule for the day including battalion drills and dress parade.
- Title
- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
-
Topics include letters he has received and news from his brother, Nathan, who is in Chicago serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps, a short list of what he has been doing, including attending a lyceum, news that Captain William B. Reynolds has been promoted to Major in the 17th Vermont Infantry...
Show moreTopics include letters he has received and news from his brother, Nathan, who is in Chicago serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps, a short list of what he has been doing, including attending a lyceum, news that Captain William B. Reynolds has been promoted to Major in the 17th Vermont Infantry Regiment, drilling practice, out of postage stamps and sends another one dollar to have some sent.
Show less
- Title
- Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
- Description
-
Towle writes from his Virginia camp to his parents about drill, military life, resignation of officers due to being unfit physically or mentally, of still needing new boots, illness, and his positive opinion of Colonel Stoughton.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include performing several hours of battalion drills and reviews, rumors that the regiment will remain in Washington through the winter, and inquiries about the people at home.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include the improvement of Roswell Farnham’s foot injury, the cold weather at camp, and the number of regiments joining the camp.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
-
Topics include the good times the officers' wives are having in camp, the watching of the Guard Mounting, Picket Guard Mounting, battery practice and regiment drill, ladies sent to Alexandria as orders received that the whole brigade is to move and information about Cyrus’ death and belongings.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
-
Topics include the accommodations in camp, Roswell Farnham’s health, and Roswell Farnham teaching the commissioned officers of the right wing.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include buying necessities for camp, the movement of the regiments around them, and the anticipation of several hours of battalion drills.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include acting as Adjutant of the Regiment at Camp Fairbanks, Rutland, and considering a commission in the army with the rank of captain. Farnham mentions his high regard for his superiors, especially Ge. Baxter, and how much the soldiers look forward to arriving at Fort Monroe and...
Show moreTopics include acting as Adjutant of the Regiment at Camp Fairbanks, Rutland, and considering a commission in the army with the rank of captain. Farnham mentions his high regard for his superiors, especially Ge. Baxter, and how much the soldiers look forward to arriving at Fort Monroe and eventually training for battle.
Show less
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about...
Show moreTopics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
Show less
- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
-
Topics include the journey from Fort Monroe, Virginia to Hampton, the Secessionists setting fire to a bridge that lead to the village, the Colonel being asked to not molest, assault or otherwise interfere with the citizens of Hampton, mentions Sewells Point where the enemy had built a battery,...
Show moreTopics include the journey from Fort Monroe, Virginia to Hampton, the Secessionists setting fire to a bridge that lead to the village, the Colonel being asked to not molest, assault or otherwise interfere with the citizens of Hampton, mentions Sewells Point where the enemy had built a battery, reference to the state election about secession from the union, speaks of his love for his family.
Show less
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
-
Topics include the measures taken by the camp to secure their safety.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
-
Topics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of...
Show moreTopics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of Lewinsville.
Show less
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
-
Topics include plans to capture a company in Virginia, the danger the Capitol is in according to General Smith, and the preventative steps being taken to protect it.