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
(81 - 100 of 1,116)
Pages
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- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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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 E. Howe
- Description
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Topics include the witnessing of a hanging execution of a man from the New Hampshire 2nd Regiment who had killed an innocent woman (wife of a rebel soldier), his reaction to the hanging, of military tactics to deter the rebels advance, of breakfast awaiting consisting of fried pork bread and coffee.
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- Daniel S. White to Maria Howe White
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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
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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
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- E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include rations for the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia for May 23rd to August 8th, processing routine, the offering of the position of Quartermaster in the 4th Vermont Regiment, writer's decline of the position.
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- E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
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Topics include E. P. Mason asking Roswell Farnham for his help in protecting his sick family.
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- E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
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Topics include G. Mason stationed in Spring Bank Virginia requesting of Col. Blunt that guards be stationed around his house and wood pile for protection.
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- E. Putnance to Alner D. Sparrow
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Letter from clerk in the Adjutant General's office to Bradford's father, Alner, regarding his inquiry about Bradford. Letter states nothing is known at the office about Bradford except that he was taken prisoner and that Alner's request for information has been forwarded to F. F. Holbrook,...
Show moreLetter from clerk in the Adjutant General's office to Bradford's father, Alner, regarding his inquiry about Bradford. Letter states nothing is known at the office about Bradford except that he was taken prisoner and that Alner's request for information has been forwarded to F. F. Holbrook, Vermont Military Commissioner.
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- E. R. S. Canby to J. Gregory Smith
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Topics include the acknowledgement of the privileges awarded to the men enlisted under the Acts of the Legislature of the State of Vermont.
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- E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include several companies camping on the riverbank in Maryland, Jackson’s army assembling in Leasburg, and preparing to march most likely to Edwards Ferry.
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- E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include camping outside of Fort Pickens at Camp Stoughton, the good health of the regiment, the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the ungentleman-like ways the officers act. Hitchcock's mood is fairly upbeat but realistic: predicting the end of the war is difficult; a long...
Show moreTopics include camping outside of Fort Pickens at Camp Stoughton, the good health of the regiment, the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the ungentleman-like ways the officers act. Hitchcock's mood is fairly upbeat but realistic: predicting the end of the war is difficult; a long expected attack on the island never occurred (indicating a fault in intelligence?); army life is good, but he hopes Phelps can find a better situation for him. Hitchcock mentions the "negro regiment" in charge of Ship Island.
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- Title
- E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Hitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a...
Show moreHitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a Brattleboro newspaper (title unknown); a new "conscript act" (Conscription Act: passed by the Union in late February and signed by Lincoln in March, 1863); preparations for summer and the anticipation of a large shipment of ice; officers busy with a Court Martial; and the continued good health of the regiment.
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- Title
- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Appreciation for letters from home, glad to know money sent arrived safely, the improving health of the men in the regiment and officers being ordered home to recruit for the brigade.
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- Edward P. Stone to Family
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New Year's greeting given to family, getting his tent settled, men under marching orders, no passes to be approved until Gen. Brooks returns.
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- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Chaplain Stone expresses sadness at leaving sick and wounded (perhaps from the Seven Days Battles fought June 26 to July 2), sending money, sickness among the men, Dr. Chandler, Dr. Henry Janes, the officers & the chaplains, requests a linen coat, sending home clothing, John working at the wharf ...
Show moreChaplain Stone expresses sadness at leaving sick and wounded (perhaps from the Seven Days Battles fought June 26 to July 2), sending money, sickness among the men, Dr. Chandler, Dr. Henry Janes, the officers & the chaplains, requests a linen coat, sending home clothing, John working at the wharf (perhaps along the James River?).
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- Title
- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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A very brief letter stating he was in Burkittsville with the wounded (casualties from the Battle of Burkittsville or called the Battle of Crampton's Gap, Maryland, September 14, 1862), then set out to find the regiment but was unsuccessful so he stopped at Pleasant Valley and stayed with a family...
Show moreA very brief letter stating he was in Burkittsville with the wounded (casualties from the Battle of Burkittsville or called the Battle of Crampton's Gap, Maryland, September 14, 1862), then set out to find the regiment but was unsuccessful so he stopped at Pleasant Valley and stayed with a family there ; preached at United Bretheren ; mentions fruits of all kinds available.
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- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Stone's morale low ; discouragement of the soldiers after Fredericksburg ; Stone looking for a new chaplain’s position.
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- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Writes how he and other chaplains are discouraged as their duties as ministers often can not be done as the men are often marching ; difficult to constantly hear profanity ; seeks prayers from folks at home, a caution at the end of the letter to not print this but perhaps convey his sentiments in...
Show moreWrites how he and other chaplains are discouraged as their duties as ministers often can not be done as the men are often marching ; difficult to constantly hear profanity ; seeks prayers from folks at home, a caution at the end of the letter to not print this but perhaps convey his sentiments in other ways.
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- Title
- Edward P. Stone to Family
- Description
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Two letters dated Dec 28 and New Year's Day [1863] ; relates procedure and process by which allowed pass to travel to Washington with a soldier’s body, travel to Washington on the steamer Zepher, receiving parcels from home ; asking if $400 received.