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
(41 - 60 of 77)
Pages
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Brother
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Writing to his brother from Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s journey and arrival back at Camp Holbrook after having gone home to Elmore, Vermont for a visit, the expectation of receiving pay, and the possibility of leaving for Ship Island, Mississippi soon.
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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
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Writing to his mother, topics include marching orders to go up the railroad, waiting for a regiment of contrabands from the other side of the river to lead the way on their march, receiving his military pay, and giving his best wishes to his mother.
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- 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 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 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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Topics working at the hospital, the lack of letters from family and friends, and his wish for Jeff Davis’ scalp as a Thanksgiving present. He also writes that he is “perplexed” by how the war is being managed.
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- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Detailed list of the marches made by the 6th Vermont from July 12th through August 3rd. He also writes of visiting the burial ground of some of the soldiers from Company I at Camp Griffin and of visiting former members of Company I when in Washington D.C. siting several by name, of receiving...
Show moreDetailed list of the marches made by the 6th Vermont from July 12th through August 3rd. He also writes of visiting the burial ground of some of the soldiers from Company I at Camp Griffin and of visiting former members of Company I when in Washington D.C. siting several by name, of receiving photographs of his family, and of receiving his back pay as Sergeant but not as Lieutenant.
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- Title
- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Writes of a raid on the railroad line between Richmond, Virginia and Welden, North Carolina at Ream’s Station destroying tracks, his wish to be at home visiting with his brother, Nathan, the hot and dusty weather, and getting paid.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Another mention of the death of Cyrus Farnham, family financial issue addressed, reporting the death of four men in camp, $400 sent home and wishing Charlie Harding to acknowledge receipt.
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- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include camping near Wolf Creek, Virginia, bunking with a fellow officer, no tents yet delivered, shelter not water tight, horses out unprotected, the terrible roads due to rain and mud, Paymaster Holway expected soon with military pay for the Vermont troops, advice to wife Mary, who is...
Show moreTopics include camping near Wolf Creek, Virginia, bunking with a fellow officer, no tents yet delivered, shelter not water tight, horses out unprotected, the terrible roads due to rain and mud, Paymaster Holway expected soon with military pay for the Vermont troops, advice to wife Mary, who is planning on visiting to bring only one trunk with only essentials and to wear her boots as there is a lot of mud, brief reference to Kinepox (which is another name for small pox vaccine).
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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On board a steamer, topics include the journey from Brattleboro to New Haven and then on to Jersey City and eventually to Washington, D.C. that include marching and going by train. Mentions whiskey being drunk by the soldiers and him needing to keep the men sober. His military pay not expected...
Show moreOn board a steamer, topics include the journey from Brattleboro to New Haven and then on to Jersey City and eventually to Washington, D.C. that include marching and going by train. Mentions whiskey being drunk by the soldiers and him needing to keep the men sober. His military pay not expected until September.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of falling ill after eating lobster, of getting paid off for three months which allow him to pay of debts including cost of his horse, and of buying books on military tactics. He also writes of how difficult it would be to get leave until next fall or the winter and of sending home...
Show moreBarney writes of falling ill after eating lobster, of getting paid off for three months which allow him to pay of debts including cost of his horse, and of buying books on military tactics. He also writes of how difficult it would be to get leave until next fall or the winter and of sending home some melon seeds for Maria to plant in the spring.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney reminiscences about enlisting in the 9th Vermont one year before, how he is glad he wasn’t conscripted, since that would have not been honorable and about military pay. He also writes of a mutiny in the 99th New York Regiment and the punishment of the ring leaders (bucked and gagged) when...
Show moreBarney reminiscences about enlisting in the 9th Vermont one year before, how he is glad he wasn’t conscripted, since that would have not been honorable and about military pay. He also writes of a mutiny in the 99th New York Regiment and the punishment of the ring leaders (bucked and gagged) when they refused to march. As well, he writes about promotions and the fact that his first lieutenant, Linus E. Sherman, is looked upon as “small potatoes” and has probably held Barney back from promotion too.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas topics include good food for his dinner, the high standard of living while visiting Danby and Syracuse, living conditions at the camp, having coal stoves, rats and lice plentiful, the death of one of his men Alfred Burrows from diphtheria, paying Mrs. Snow owed, giving comment...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas topics include good food for his dinner, the high standard of living while visiting Danby and Syracuse, living conditions at the camp, having coal stoves, rats and lice plentiful, the death of one of his men Alfred Burrows from diphtheria, paying Mrs. Snow owed, giving comment on theater ("love sick stuff"), having no word of a prisoner exchange and the hope to be able to send $500 home soon.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and Fred (even if not quite intelligible).
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include an affidavit to try and help find the missing money, Barney having to be in court for a court martial trial, checking on the sick in the hospital, anticipation of getting a box from home and the plan to be mustered tomorrow for pay to get in 2 or 3 weeks.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of becoming weak from diarrhea and being advised to go to the Chesapeake Hospital after the Regiment had moved to Yorktown. He reassures his wife that he is recovering and that the hospital is magnificent. He also writes that the news from Pennsylvania is not good. Mentions Hooker...
Show moreBarney writes of becoming weak from diarrhea and being advised to go to the Chesapeake Hospital after the Regiment had moved to Yorktown. He reassures his wife that he is recovering and that the hospital is magnificent. He also writes that the news from Pennsylvania is not good. Mentions Hooker and Little Mac and then gives orders about placing the state pay of some of his men in the Union Bank.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas the day after Christmas topics include the disappearance of other soldiers’ military pay as well his own from an earlier date, the hope to track the money down, the receiving of gifts from the men of the company out of love and respect for Barney as their officer, the damaging...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas the day after Christmas topics include the disappearance of other soldiers’ military pay as well his own from an earlier date, the hope to track the money down, the receiving of gifts from the men of the company out of love and respect for Barney as their officer, the damaging of his winter coat beyond repair, a description of Christmas at Mrs. Snow’s including giving his photograph to Sarah.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas topics include sending military pay of $480 home, request for needed items from home including boots, fur collar, pillow. etc., having a pleasant evening dinner and singing at Mrs. Snow's and arranging to have his photograph taken.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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From Camp Douglas in Chicago topics include going to the Baptist Church where he heard Elder Knapp a revivalist, sightseeing which included visiting grave to Stephen Douglas, seeing buffalo and oxen, requesting the return of the opened envelope in which money is missing, of eating well these days...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas in Chicago topics include going to the Baptist Church where he heard Elder Knapp a revivalist, sightseeing which included visiting grave to Stephen Douglas, seeing buffalo and oxen, requesting the return of the opened envelope in which money is missing, of eating well these days, of when the Regiment will be exchanged, gifts for officers including Col. Stannard, Col Andross, Major Stowell and the enclosure of "two small likenesses."
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