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
(21 - 40 of 129)
Pages
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Whitmore writes to Maria Barney of the improvement of Barney’s health, of Barney advising Maria to keep the cow and the possibility of returning to Vermont in the near future.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of returning to the regiment at West Point, Virginia and of some of his new duties as a field officer. He also writes of the difficulty of sleeping due to mosquitoes, of swimming in the Pamunkey River, his commission dated May 24th.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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A brief letter telling of traveling by railroad from Chicago to Baltimore with 451 Confederate prisoners captured at Murfreesboro and Arkansas Post, speculation about where the 9th Vermont will be stationed and mentions Col. Stowell
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes of the routine of camp life, drilling the men, and of the creation of the “Awkward Squad,” a group of men that needs extra drilling. He also writes of his relief that the money he sent has been received, and of his wish that his wife hire help for her work in the garden. As well, he...
Show moreBarney writes of the routine of camp life, drilling the men, and of the creation of the “Awkward Squad,” a group of men that needs extra drilling. He also writes of his relief that the money he sent has been received, and of his wish that his wife hire help for her work in the garden. As well, he states he hasn’t drunk ale in 3 months.
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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
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Two letters enclosed. Gives detailed account of his duties as officer of the day, details on camp life including cleaning the sinks (latrines), of some of the sight-seeing he has done and hopes to do in the area of Yorktown, of sickness in the camp, of rain and lightening that killed one horse &...
Show moreTwo letters enclosed. Gives detailed account of his duties as officer of the day, details on camp life including cleaning the sinks (latrines), of some of the sight-seeing he has done and hopes to do in the area of Yorktown, of sickness in the camp, of rain and lightening that killed one horse & injured several others. As well, he complains of Vermont towns that pay $300 rather than send anyone who has been drafted, compares them to the rebels. Requests photographs of the children Fred and Carrie.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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A reconnaissance in force made by General [Michael] Corcoran, while Barney was part of the reserve left behind. Writes of rifle pits, his lack of sleep, being part of a labor party building a fort, of the area’s fortifications, of a sharpshooter who kept firing at his company until driven off by...
Show moreA reconnaissance in force made by General [Michael] Corcoran, while Barney was part of the reserve left behind. Writes of rifle pits, his lack of sleep, being part of a labor party building a fort, of the area’s fortifications, of a sharpshooter who kept firing at his company until driven off by a 12 pounder shot, of prisoners taken, casualties, mud and sending money home.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include the duties of being the Officer of the Guard being in charge of overseeing men under watch, media misrepresentation of the regiments in the Northern newspapers, living conditions and costs in the South, death of Joseph La'Mondy (or Lamondy), the Battle of Baton Rouge, and the...
Show moreTopics include the duties of being the Officer of the Guard being in charge of overseeing men under watch, media misrepresentation of the regiments in the Northern newspapers, living conditions and costs in the South, death of Joseph La'Mondy (or Lamondy), the Battle of Baton Rouge, and the suicide of a man in Company I.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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A short letter letting his wife know that the Regiment has moved closer to Suffolk, Virginia, and that their position is very defensible. He mentions that the move was sudden and that he lost a shirt and underclothes, but is able to make do. The conditions are primitive and he will need to write...
Show moreA short letter letting his wife know that the Regiment has moved closer to Suffolk, Virginia, and that their position is very defensible. He mentions that the move was sudden and that he lost a shirt and underclothes, but is able to make do. The conditions are primitive and he will need to write reports on a table outside his tent.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include his arrival at the Newport barracks after leaving the steamer Maple Leaf, the news that Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley was in command of the post, and settling the men in barracks. He also comments on the poverty of the area, that wild game is plentiful, that hunting game may be the...
Show moreTopics include his arrival at the Newport barracks after leaving the steamer Maple Leaf, the news that Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley was in command of the post, and settling the men in barracks. He also comments on the poverty of the area, that wild game is plentiful, that hunting game may be the only amusement & how to direct letters through the mail.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Barney writes that he has moved into his house (winter quarters) and that Colonel Ripley was staying with him until his house was finished as well. He also gives a description of the expedition made by Colonel Ripley and 75 men to destroy a load of salt that had come ashore after a steamer ran...
Show moreBarney writes that he has moved into his house (winter quarters) and that Colonel Ripley was staying with him until his house was finished as well. He also gives a description of the expedition made by Colonel Ripley and 75 men to destroy a load of salt that had come ashore after a steamer ran aground. He also comments that Swanton has furnished its quota of troops but he is disappointed that the bounties were so high, and feels that the bounty system is unfair to the soldiers already serving.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include the march to camp in Brattleboro, having very good tents that helped keep the overnight rain from getting him wet and hopes to be home in about a week.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include the food served in camp was plentiful and good, tent set up to be comfortable, health is good, the distribution of clothing among the men, Col. Stannard expected in camp, mentions plans to return home and the expected arrival of a few more companies at Brattleboro.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of moving to a new location facing the dismal swamp, and of being called to arms in the middle of the night. As well, he describes how he disciplined a soldier who had been “saucy.” He also writes of hearing cannonading in the distance, near where they were camped the night before,...
Show moreBarney writes of moving to a new location facing the dismal swamp, and of being called to arms in the middle of the night. As well, he describes how he disciplined a soldier who had been “saucy.” He also writes of hearing cannonading in the distance, near where they were camped the night before, and of rumors that a pontoon bridge had been built across the river there by Union soldiers.
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- Title
- 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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Topics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health from jaundice though his appetite is low and his skin itches, of foods he regularly eats, the sickness of Sergeant Whitmore with typhoid fever, and the deaths in the regiment including Chas Crook.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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While in transport Barney writes of heading for Chicago along with others as prisoners, states he had a good breakfast that included much relished butter, speculates they are being moved West as it is cheaper than keeping them East, thinks they will not be exchanged any time soon, feels...
Show moreWhile in transport Barney writes of heading for Chicago along with others as prisoners, states he had a good breakfast that included much relished butter, speculates they are being moved West as it is cheaper than keeping them East, thinks they will not be exchanged any time soon, feels humiliated to be sold but proud of having done his duty. States the arrest of all the officers in the brigade except Colonel Stannard who has taken command. Mentions photographs he is sending home.
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