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
(841 - 860 of 1,336)
Pages
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include Roswell alerting his wife to the fact that their departure home will be delayed.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
-
Topics include arranging for Mary Farnham to come visit camp with either Mrs. Blunt or Mrs. Vaughn and the necessary arrangements.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary Farnham
- Description
-
Telegraph message via the Vermont & Boston Telegraph Company to Mrs. Roswell (Mary) Farnham in Bradford, Vt. from Roswell Farnham that he is in Brattleboro and that she is to come down to meet him.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to W. H. Hill
- Description
-
Field officer of the day report from Farnham to Captain William H. Hill (Assistant Adjudant General) relating review of the pickets on May 29 and May 30, the event of throwing up of lights by pickets in Centreville by order of the General
- Title
- S. P. Heintzleman to ?
- Description
-
Topics include orders prohibiting anyone from entering the premises or grounds of G. Mason.
- Title
- Salmon Dutton to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
-
Topics include Salmon Dutton requesting the position of Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' "Aides de Camp". Dutton outlines at length his military experience and with whom he has served. Mentions General William F. Smith, Col. Barker, Captain Tuttle, Major General McClellan, General King.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
- Description
-
Solomon G. Heaton enlisted from Brighton on April 22, 1861 as a private in Company D, 3rd Vermont Regiment. He reenlisted on December 21, 1863. Heaton was wounded at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864 and was mortally wounded on Cold Harbor on June 3rd, 1864. He died three days later on June 6th....
Show moreSolomon G. Heaton enlisted from Brighton on April 22, 1861 as a private in Company D, 3rd Vermont Regiment. He reenlisted on December 21, 1863. Heaton was wounded at Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864 and was mortally wounded on Cold Harbor on June 3rd, 1864. He died three days later on June 6th. Eleven letters from Private Heaton to his parents in Island Pond, Vermont. Heaton wrote about day-to-day activities and the poor treatment he received from some of the officers. On one occasion, he wrote, his division was paraded to witness the branding of two deserters.
Show less
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to ?
- Description
-
Heaton writes that he is sending money home ($20), and that he needs $1 in postage stamps sent to him (the rest can go toward Lucy's board at school during the winter). His camp site, Belle Plains, Va., lies just east of Fredericksburg, the site of a major battle (Dec. 11-15, 1862) that began a...
Show moreHeaton writes that he is sending money home ($20), and that he needs $1 in postage stamps sent to him (the rest can go toward Lucy's board at school during the winter). His camp site, Belle Plains, Va., lies just east of Fredericksburg, the site of a major battle (Dec. 11-15, 1862) that began a day after Heaton wrote this note; hence, the need to be ready with sixty rounds of "catridges."
Show less
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Family
- Description
-
An account of the journey from Camp Baxter to Camp Lyon near Washington, D. C. with people along the way cheering and giving an enthusiastic reception to the soldiers ; food provided ; blessings of God speed given ; mentions Major General McClellan in command ; high morale
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Father
- Description
-
A brief letter from Camp Griffin, 3rd Vt. Co. D part of Smith's Division stating cold weather ; not much to do but some picket duty ; requests warm clothing be sent to him ; expecting to be paid soon ; reflects on how the camp glows at night with all the camp fires lighting the area like a city ;...
Show moreA brief letter from Camp Griffin, 3rd Vt. Co. D part of Smith's Division stating cold weather ; not much to do but some picket duty ; requests warm clothing be sent to him ; expecting to be paid soon ; reflects on how the camp glows at night with all the camp fires lighting the area like a city ; the men have been provided uniforms and he wishes to send home photographs of himself in full uniform but asks for postage stamps as he can not get them
Show less
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Father
- Description
-
As Heaton indicates, the Army of the Potomac crossed the river into Virginia at the time this letter was written (Gen. George McClellan would soon be removed, however, and succeeded by Gen. Ambrose Burnside). There is no record of a "very hard fight" at Gordonsville, Va. Gen. Wm. Buel Franklin...
Show moreAs Heaton indicates, the Army of the Potomac crossed the river into Virginia at the time this letter was written (Gen. George McClellan would soon be removed, however, and succeeded by Gen. Ambrose Burnside). There is no record of a "very hard fight" at Gordonsville, Va. Gen. Wm. Buel Franklin was implicated in some intrigue against Burnside, and both were relieved of their command in Jan., 1863. Heaton complains about harsh treatment by his commanding officer and being denied a rubber blanket. Nevertheless, he claims to be in good spirits.
Show less
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Father
- Description
-
Writing a brief letter to his father, Solomon G. Heaton’s states his dislike for General Mead of the Army of the Potomac, mention of Gen. McClellan and requests several clothing items to be sent from home including boots, gloves and food such as tea, cheese, bread, maple sugar.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Father
- Description
-
Topics include the anticipated move of the army, the branding and branding of two soldiers, disapproves of this action by the army, requests food and clothing from home.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
- Description
-
Topics include Heaton letting his mother know his health is good, the good weather, and the expectation to head to Washington soon.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
- Description
-
Topics include Heaton letting his mother know his health is good, the bad weather, the “vile” women, and the death of Heman Belden.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
- Description
-
Writes of pleasant, comfortable winter quarters with 16 men to a tent and government supplied stoves ; tells of what food is available and what he had to eat while on picket duty ; very basic food for Thanksgiving ; no usual drill schedule due to it being Christmas Day ; mentions Charley and Lucy...
Show moreWrites of pleasant, comfortable winter quarters with 16 men to a tent and government supplied stoves ; tells of what food is available and what he had to eat while on picket duty ; very basic food for Thanksgiving ; no usual drill schedule due to it being Christmas Day ; mentions Charley and Lucy ; again reflects on if he lives to return home.
Show less
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
- Description
-
Topics include Elbrige, George, Emery, and Captain Buck being wounded, the death of Git Porter, and the expected fall of Richmond.
- Title
- Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
- Description
-
With Heaton's words, "the great Army of the Potomac has at last started," we get a sense of impatience, on the soldier's part, with Gen. George McClellan's well-known reluctance to send men into battle. The date of this letter coincides within the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign, which...
Show moreWith Heaton's words, "the great Army of the Potomac has at last started," we get a sense of impatience, on the soldier's part, with Gen. George McClellan's well-known reluctance to send men into battle. The date of this letter coincides within the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign, which deployed over 121,000 Union soldiers. Perhaps Heaton's regiment, camped somewhere in Virginia, is about to meet up with this "offul Army down on the co[a]st it numbers 90 thousand men" as part of the Campaign. He notes some of the destruction left behind by retreating rebels, most notably the burned homes near Fairfax courthouse, supposedly where George and Martha Washington were married. (The home owned by Martha Custis, Washington's betrothed, was indeed burned in 1862 because of the war. This is believed to have been a likely site of the marriage in early January, 1759.) Other place names mentioned: Mannassas, Centerville.
Show less
- Title
- Theodore Barton to Melissa Barton
- Description
-
Theodore Barton writes that there is a foot of snow but it is melting fast. He also writes of his pleasure at the news of the draft, as he would be happy to see some of those who stayed behind and to give them the same encouragement they gave to him about how easy it would be to “whip” the South....
Show moreTheodore Barton writes that there is a foot of snow but it is melting fast. He also writes of his pleasure at the news of the draft, as he would be happy to see some of those who stayed behind and to give them the same encouragement they gave to him about how easy it would be to “whip” the South. He also mentions that there is not much drinking of alcohol going on.
Show less
- Title
- Theodore Barton to Melissa Barton
- Description
-
Theodore Lyman writes of seeing his brother Lyman, Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, who is camped only two miles away. He also writes of the attempt by General Burnside to cross the Rappahannock and how the Confederate soldiers jeered and set up a sign saying “Burnside stuck in the...
Show moreTheodore Lyman writes of seeing his brother Lyman, Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, who is camped only two miles away. He also writes of the attempt by General Burnside to cross the Rappahannock and how the Confederate soldiers jeered and set up a sign saying “Burnside stuck in the mud.”
Show less