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
(61 - 80 of 129)
Pages
- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of wishing his wife happy birthday, commenting on how much older he looks now, of his happiness at receiving the box containing larger shirts, of his appreciation at receiving a “love letter” tucked in one of the pockets and writes of the rumor of the fall of Charlestown.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of receiving a letter from his wife, confirming the arrival of the box he sent, of photographs, of the uncertainty in military life, confessing that he doesn’t read the Bible as often as he should, of being able to set up the wall tents and the difference this will make in his...
Show moreBarney writes of receiving a letter from his wife, confirming the arrival of the box he sent, of photographs, of the uncertainty in military life, confessing that he doesn’t read the Bible as often as he should, of being able to set up the wall tents and the difference this will make in his comfort. Encourages his wife to remain happy and how his happiest times were spent with her and the children.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Duty as judge in trying criminals in the Regiment, his interest in receiving news about Swanton residents who were conscripted (drafted), his amusement over the possible identities of some of the conscripts, & the cost of keeping up appearances (being outfitted). He comments that he & the Colonel...
Show moreDuty as judge in trying criminals in the Regiment, his interest in receiving news about Swanton residents who were conscripted (drafted), his amusement over the possible identities of some of the conscripts, & the cost of keeping up appearances (being outfitted). He comments that he & the Colonel get along amicably and that some of the officers will be returning to Vermont to bring back the conscripts (draftees) that have been assigned to the Regiment.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include the Regiment is full and the expectation that the regiment will be mustererd (process of accounting for members in a military unit), mentions he is officer of the day and has many duties to attend to with recruits being new to army life.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Brief letter informing his wife that the Regiment has not yet moved, though there was a second order to board a steamer that was again countermanded. He also writes that he is expecting his box of clothing, which he needs, as his current shirts are too small.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health, his taking of jaundice bitters as treatment, his paying Mrs. Snow $10 for his and his attendant's room and board in her home and of sending his attendant back to camp.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include the weather in Chicago, the desire to return home, and the improvement in Barney’s health.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include sitting on the examining board, officers resigning in fear of the board, and a description of a picture drawn by a 16 year old boy from Company C of Barney's quarters, including the Negro contraband boy who is taking care of his horse. As well, he includes a photograph of his good...
Show moreTopics include sitting on the examining board, officers resigning in fear of the board, and a description of a picture drawn by a 16 year old boy from Company C of Barney's quarters, including the Negro contraband boy who is taking care of his horse. As well, he includes a photograph of his good friend Dr. Carpenter. He also describes the kind of food they eat in their mess.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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While in the Chesapeake Hospital near Fort Monroe, Virginia he writes of what to do with the money sent home by soldiers in his company, his belief that his illness stems from inadequately cooked food and offering advice to his wife about her own cooking. Can not find a horse to purchase....
Show moreWhile in the Chesapeake Hospital near Fort Monroe, Virginia he writes of what to do with the money sent home by soldiers in his company, his belief that his illness stems from inadequately cooked food and offering advice to his wife about her own cooking. Can not find a horse to purchase. Mentions the 4th of July preparations and reading Lanmere by Vermonter Julia Caroline Ripley Dorr.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes that he is not in his house (winter quarters) yet, but hopes to be shortly, as the weather is getting colder. He also writes that he has a new “Darkey” servant named John Franklin, as the last man had a wife in Yorktown and didn’t want to stay at Newport Barracks. Wants a pair of...
Show moreBarney writes that he is not in his house (winter quarters) yet, but hopes to be shortly, as the weather is getting colder. He also writes that he has a new “Darkey” servant named John Franklin, as the last man had a wife in Yorktown and didn’t want to stay at Newport Barracks. Wants a pair of boots made by D. Heher and asks if the $200 sent to Maria is received.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Writing from Chicago topics include the journey to an area 2 miles from Chicago, a description of the living quarters that include a good dinner, fixing up the sheds they are living in which are on the fairgrounds (the site of a Sanitary Fair to benefit soldier relief funds, Oct. 27, 1863), the...
Show moreWriting from Chicago topics include the journey to an area 2 miles from Chicago, a description of the living quarters that include a good dinner, fixing up the sheds they are living in which are on the fairgrounds (the site of a Sanitary Fair to benefit soldier relief funds, Oct. 27, 1863), the morale of the men, food of pork, bread, beef, talk of being relocated to Minnesota, and the disparate need for money.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of the death of Major [Charles] Jarvis, shot in the abdomen when he attempted to capture some Rebels while he was out looking from stolen horses.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Writing from Camp Davis in Brattleboro, topics include Barney being made officer of the day tomorrow, feeling proud of that, and the plan to march to Washington.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include camp life with tents being combined to make larger living quarters, having a Sunday sermon preached, the high cost of food, and orders to be ready to march immediately, with three days rations. He also mentions that General Wistar has taken command of the Brigade, and how proud he...
Show moreTopics include camp life with tents being combined to make larger living quarters, having a Sunday sermon preached, the high cost of food, and orders to be ready to march immediately, with three days rations. He also mentions that General Wistar has taken command of the Brigade, and how proud he is of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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A letter to Maria Barney telling her of Valentine Barney's illness (Bilious Fever) written by 1st Sgt. Whitmore. He writes of the probability the regiment will not be paid soon thus Barney asking for $25 be sent, that Barney is receiving the best medical care by a widow (Mrs. Snow) in a private...
Show moreA letter to Maria Barney telling her of Valentine Barney's illness (Bilious Fever) written by 1st Sgt. Whitmore. He writes of the probability the regiment will not be paid soon thus Barney asking for $25 be sent, that Barney is receiving the best medical care by a widow (Mrs. Snow) in a private home and a Corporal has been assigned to stay with him.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Writing from Camp Seigle near Winchester, Va. topics include having a good meal, postal service finally getting the mail on the road only to be handed off and the rider now missing, the burning of the city (Winchester?), being invited to take refreshments by city residents but declining as he did...
Show moreWriting from Camp Seigle near Winchester, Va. topics include having a good meal, postal service finally getting the mail on the road only to be handed off and the rider now missing, the burning of the city (Winchester?), being invited to take refreshments by city residents but declining as he did not want to risk being poisoned, Lieutenant Jewett on picket duty, attended worship service, misses his young children, and the hope that the 10th regiment will arrive in camp.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of visiting Captain Kelley at “Bogue Sound” and of how the Regiment is gaining health, though many still have the “shakes.” He also asks after news of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney thinking he is with Gen. Meade & in pursuit of Lee and how the recruiting is going in Swanton for...
Show moreBarney writes of visiting Captain Kelley at “Bogue Sound” and of how the Regiment is gaining health, though many still have the “shakes.” He also asks after news of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney thinking he is with Gen. Meade & in pursuit of Lee and how the recruiting is going in Swanton for the 9th Regiment.
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