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
(1 - 20 of 45)
Pages
- Title
- 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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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include being field officer of the day, ride with Col. Blunt to Wolf Run Shoals, sutler tent torn down by the men & some supplies drank & eaten, a raid by the rebels on the railroad and the destruction of the train with rebels' artillery being taken by Union soldiers, and the hope that...
Show moreTopics include being field officer of the day, ride with Col. Blunt to Wolf Run Shoals, sutler tent torn down by the men & some supplies drank & eaten, a raid by the rebels on the railroad and the destruction of the train with rebels' artillery being taken by Union soldiers, and the hope that Colonel Andross and Stearns will come out to Union Mills.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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July 19, 1861. Writes from Camp Butler, Newport News, Va. of family matters, fleas and mosquitoes at camp, salt baths, mentions Lt. Peckett, Maj. Worthen, Adj of NY 4th Henricus, of riding out into the country to call on two houses, observations about the owners' slaves.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include money being sent home, references to Gen. Stoneman and Col. Mann, mentions hearing a piano being played by the daughter of Mr. Bowen playing a tune "Run, Yankees, Run or Jackson Will Catch You," rebel cavalry on the other side of the river, a scout by Colonel Mann and two companies...
Show moreTopics include money being sent home, references to Gen. Stoneman and Col. Mann, mentions hearing a piano being played by the daughter of Mr. Bowen playing a tune "Run, Yankees, Run or Jackson Will Catch You," rebel cavalry on the other side of the river, a scout by Colonel Mann and two companies, and the improvement in Nelson’s health, advises wife to dress well, look pretty, drink porter & get fat.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include a pleasant ride at Manassas Junction, stopping by a deserted house and picking bouquets of flowers from the over grown garden there, the danger of rebel guerrilla warfare, his horse Burnie improving in health but still with a cough, the plan to return to Union Mills tomorrow,...
Show moreTopics include a pleasant ride at Manassas Junction, stopping by a deserted house and picking bouquets of flowers from the over grown garden there, the danger of rebel guerrilla warfare, his horse Burnie improving in health but still with a cough, the plan to return to Union Mills tomorrow, hoping to receive the newspapers sooner than before, and much preparations by the soldiers in expectation of rebels in Alexandria.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the enemy posting infantry pickets on the other side of the Rappahannock, moving to Bristol Station, Virginia, locations of other companies, at home the death of Jenny (possibly a horse) caused by "bots" (a disease of mammals, especially cattle and horses, caused by infestation of...
Show moreTopics include the enemy posting infantry pickets on the other side of the Rappahannock, moving to Bristol Station, Virginia, locations of other companies, at home the death of Jenny (possibly a horse) caused by "bots" (a disease of mammals, especially cattle and horses, caused by infestation of the stomach or intestines with botfly larvae), more encouragement to have his wife drink porter.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Writing from Warrenton Junction, VA, on the railroad in an open field topics include marching from Wolf Run Shoals to Union Mills, then by train to Falmouth, writes of his horses Burnie and White Face, relates a fight with the men of John Singleton Mosby (nicknamed The Gray Ghost, a Confederate...
Show moreWriting from Warrenton Junction, VA, on the railroad in an open field topics include marching from Wolf Run Shoals to Union Mills, then by train to Falmouth, writes of his horses Burnie and White Face, relates a fight with the men of John Singleton Mosby (nicknamed The Gray Ghost, a Confederate cavalry battalion commander) resulting in casualties, the capture and escape of Union soldiers, the killing of a Rebel spy, and the capture of a Rebel major, captain, and two lieutenants.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Two letters. One dated July 4th, the other July 5th give a description of the battle at Gettysburg, an account of those who were killed or wounded, and the expectation to be home soon.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Writing from Rappahannock Bridge, Va. topics include advice to wife Mary Farnham about drinking porter and whisky to improve her health, the 15th regiment moving to guard Bealton Station, a fight at Warrenton Junction, relates surrendering Rebels telling of Confederated General "Stonewall"...
Show moreWriting from Rappahannock Bridge, Va. topics include advice to wife Mary Farnham about drinking porter and whisky to improve her health, the 15th regiment moving to guard Bealton Station, a fight at Warrenton Junction, relates surrendering Rebels telling of Confederated General "Stonewall" Jackson having lost an arm (was amputated as a result of being shot May 2nd during the Battle of Chancellorsville & died May 8, 1863) and Roswell Farnham’s good health.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Farnham returning to Union Mills, Virginia ; living accommodations pleasant with tent set and well ventilated, men doing drills well, Farnham at headquarters in order to perform duties in the absence of the Colonel thus Farnham was not put in command of any of the detachments ; advises wife to...
Show moreFarnham returning to Union Mills, Virginia ; living accommodations pleasant with tent set and well ventilated, men doing drills well, Farnham at headquarters in order to perform duties in the absence of the Colonel thus Farnham was not put in command of any of the detachments ; advises wife to not work so hard and take porter rather than whiskey.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Two letters dated the 25th and 27th of June telling of marching to Centreville, camping beyond there, sharing a tent with the Chaplain, heavy rain, the brigade now reporting to General Reynolds of the 1st Army Corps, his horse Burnie sick again and knows the horse must go along or be put down. In...
Show moreTwo letters dated the 25th and 27th of June telling of marching to Centreville, camping beyond there, sharing a tent with the Chaplain, heavy rain, the brigade now reporting to General Reynolds of the 1st Army Corps, his horse Burnie sick again and knows the horse must go along or be put down. In the letter of the 27th tells of moving to Poolesville, Maryland, of his horse, Burnie, feeling better & may do fine and the soldiers being kept in the field until very end of their military service.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the old Vermont Brigade being at Fairfax Station, 3rd Corps train with 400 wagons, the Army of the Potomac moving in response to Gen. Robert E. Lee as Lee is on the move to Pennsylvania (Gettysburg Campaign), and Farnham's lament on men being discharged just as they are in best...
Show moreTopics include the old Vermont Brigade being at Fairfax Station, 3rd Corps train with 400 wagons, the Army of the Potomac moving in response to Gen. Robert E. Lee as Lee is on the move to Pennsylvania (Gettysburg Campaign), and Farnham's lament on men being discharged just as they are in best fighting condition.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include being field officer of the day on picket line, Freeman Keyes in camp, concerns for his horse Burnie's health, stern orders from General Abercrombie regarding drills, request for photographs of his wife be taken and sent to him.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the need for the men to stay in the army even though they will be discharged within the week, the destruction of the Rappahannock Bridge by the union soldiers preventing the Rebels from using the Orange & Alexa. railroad, and the sixth corps going to Manassas (Bull Run), freshly...
Show moreTopics include the need for the men to stay in the army even though they will be discharged within the week, the destruction of the Rappahannock Bridge by the union soldiers preventing the Rebels from using the Orange & Alexa. railroad, and the sixth corps going to Manassas (Bull Run), freshly butchered chicken for breakfast from Mr. Peach.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the ill health of Mary Farnham and Nelson (mustard paste applied to his back), rumors and conflicting reports about the Rebels, about Hooker & about Lee, snakes in camp, the importance of keeping an open mind about possibly moving to the city after the war, comments on happiness...
Show moreTopics include the ill health of Mary Farnham and Nelson (mustard paste applied to his back), rumors and conflicting reports about the Rebels, about Hooker & about Lee, snakes in camp, the importance of keeping an open mind about possibly moving to the city after the war, comments on happiness versus wealth, the death of S. S. Leonard of Company H, paymaster has arrived with military pay and orders to move and guard the railroad.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the expectation to start for home in about twenty days, Hooker crossing to Fredericksburg, many men needed for the line from Blackburn's Ford to Woodyard's ; Col. Randall at Occoquan, Virginia ; troops remaining on the railroad in anticipation of Lee, and the Court of Inquiry...
Show moreTopics include the expectation to start for home in about twenty days, Hooker crossing to Fredericksburg, many men needed for the line from Blackburn's Ford to Woodyard's ; Col. Randall at Occoquan, Virginia ; troops remaining on the railroad in anticipation of Lee, and the Court of Inquiry taking place regarding the conduct of Lieut Hartshorn.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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August 2, 1861. Topics include Roswell telling his wife of the delay for the departure home, another description of Fort Monroe and Hygeia Hotel on Old Point Comfort similar to one written in the July 31 letter, of the incident of shooting of a drunken soldier, of the drunken condition of the 1st...
Show moreAugust 2, 1861. Topics include Roswell telling his wife of the delay for the departure home, another description of Fort Monroe and Hygeia Hotel on Old Point Comfort similar to one written in the July 31 letter, of the incident of shooting of a drunken soldier, of the drunken condition of the 1st N Y regiment.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include marching to Wolf Run Shoals, strengthening the pickets, fighting at Aldie down to Thoroughfare Gap, firing heard near Dumfries, an invitation to join Hooker’s Army with a stay of another six months but will not in spite of mixed emotions about wanting to stay in the military and...
Show moreTopics include marching to Wolf Run Shoals, strengthening the pickets, fighting at Aldie down to Thoroughfare Gap, firing heard near Dumfries, an invitation to join Hooker’s Army with a stay of another six months but will not in spite of mixed emotions about wanting to stay in the military and wanting to be at home with family.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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From camp at Westminster, MD topics include a description of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 12th ordered to guard the trains, supplies needed by the men in the field as they have none, the men of the 12th carrying out their duty and suffering much even though not engaged in the fighting, the...
Show moreFrom camp at Westminster, MD topics include a description of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 12th ordered to guard the trains, supplies needed by the men in the field as they have none, the men of the 12th carrying out their duty and suffering much even though not engaged in the fighting, the determination of the men to continue marching despite severe hardship, horses giving out but coming to camp the next morning, men may be needed to stay on duty even though their military duties are up.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include sending his letter via another officer, the regiment not planning to move, Roswell Farnham feeling lonely without his wife and stating she may come to camp but then rethinks that suggestion, his horse Burnie is better, hopes General George J. Stannard (1820-1886) will make his...
Show moreTopics include sending his letter via another officer, the regiment not planning to move, Roswell Farnham feeling lonely without his wife and stating she may come to camp but then rethinks that suggestion, his horse Burnie is better, hopes General George J. Stannard (1820-1886) will make his headquarters in camp thus relieving Farnham of regiment responsibilities, the improvement in Roswell and William’s health and including a letter for Mr. Peach, directed to Mr. Butterworth for his wife to send on.
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