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
(161 - 180 of 226)
Pages
- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Writes of his feelings about being passed over for promotion in favor of Captain Edward H. Ripley being promoted to Major, since Ripley is friends with Major Stowell and is wealthy. Barney has seniority, is reassured he is well liked, respected and has the support of most of the line officers. He...
Show moreWrites of his feelings about being passed over for promotion in favor of Captain Edward H. Ripley being promoted to Major, since Ripley is friends with Major Stowell and is wealthy. Barney has seniority, is reassured he is well liked, respected and has the support of most of the line officers. He also writes of collecting photographs for his album.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include moving to a camp near the east corner of the fort, a description of the fort including how many guns and what types of guns, and the appointment of Eaton as the major of the 10th regiment.
- Title
- Volney S. Fullam to B. F. Butler
- Description
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Topics include vacancies in the regiment caused by the death and sickness of some officers, the resignation and guilt of misconduct by Lt. G. W. Sheldon, and the intention to send a list of promotions.
- Title
- Volney S. Fullam to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include recommendations for promotions to fill the vacant positions.
- Title
- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include Lt. Adjt. W. C. Holbrook of the 4th Vermont Regiment requesting from Captain Mundee an order to report to Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps at Old Point, Virginia as Aid de Camp.
- Title
- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include the Command General denying Lt. Adjt. W. C. Holbrook's request and W. C. Holbrook asking Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to order W. C. Holbrook to report to him.
- Title
- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include Lt. W. C. Holbrook of the 4th Vermont Regiment planning to meet Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps at Old Point but must wait for orders from Gen. McClellan first.
- Title
- Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
- Description
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Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations...
Show moreTopics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard, Albin Beard to Wheelock G. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include the assignment of Wheelock G. Veazey’s regiment to the post of honor within their division of the army.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include worrying about his wife, the rainy weather, an update on General (Edwin Henry) Stoughton (who was kidnapped by Confederate Ranger J. S. Mosby and his men March 8th) having sent his mother a letter and Stoughton not being "confirmed" (for a position?).
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Writes General (Edwin Henry Stoughton) was kidnapped (March 8th) at night out of his own bed (by Confederate Ranger J. S. Mosby & his men), Veazey writes of no troops near him, pickets "imperfect", Colonel Blunt put in command, and inquiries about folks at home, teases Julia about her and her ...
Show moreWrites General (Edwin Henry Stoughton) was kidnapped (March 8th) at night out of his own bed (by Confederate Ranger J. S. Mosby & his men), Veazey writes of no troops near him, pickets "imperfect", Colonel Blunt put in command, and inquiries about folks at home, teases Julia about her and her "twin" meaning the baby and mentions Election Day in New Hampshire.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include picket duty over New Year’s, being stationed in a house well suited to his needs, cavalry unit having had a scrimmage nearby, mentions the death of General Kearny at Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, Sept 1, 1862 (Northern Virginia Campaign), the depleted and devastated area in which...
Show moreTopics include picket duty over New Year’s, being stationed in a house well suited to his needs, cavalry unit having had a scrimmage nearby, mentions the death of General Kearny at Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, Sept 1, 1862 (Northern Virginia Campaign), the depleted and devastated area in which they are encamped, forests gone, Union burned many of the "splendid barracks" the Rebels had used.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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A brief and intense letter to his wife about her ill health, purchasing a new horse, and officers in the regiment who have resigned.
- Title
- William B. Reynolds to Lyman S. Williams
- Description
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Letter to Williams from Major William B Reynolds regarding trouble about Lyman S. Williams’ commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, 6th Vermont Infantry Regiment, and whether he was properly mustered in. Reynolds also asks for news of Company I of the 6th Vermont, and writes that he feels ...
Show moreLetter to Williams from Major William B Reynolds regarding trouble about Lyman S. Williams’ commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, 6th Vermont Infantry Regiment, and whether he was properly mustered in. Reynolds also asks for news of Company I of the 6th Vermont, and writes that he feels “heavy work is coming soon”. Major Reynolds was killed in action on July 30th, thirteen days after writing this letter.
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- Title
- William Bruidnell and Francis Finnegan to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include a request for pay amounting to $116 and an update on the leaders of the Vermont Regiment.
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- William C. Holbrook to C. L. Christensen
- Description
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Topics include Holbrook’s resignation as Colonel of the 7th Vermont Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include William's recommendation for and praise of Ad. Brown being promoted to Major, mentions Brown's performance in the inconclusive battle at Savage's Station (June 29, 1862 in Va.), a bitter feeling against Colonel Faillam by the men of the regiment, and the belief a West Pointer...
Show moreTopics include William's recommendation for and praise of Ad. Brown being promoted to Major, mentions Brown's performance in the inconclusive battle at Savage's Station (June 29, 1862 in Va.), a bitter feeling against Colonel Faillam by the men of the regiment, and the belief a West Pointer should head the regiment.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Writing to his father, Gov. Holbrook, topics include the need for medical aid because of the numerous men who are sick due to lack of sanitation, unhealthy environment (mentions miasma, vapor from swamp believed to cause disease) and lack of medicine because of some blunder, speaks of doctors...
Show moreWriting to his father, Gov. Holbrook, topics include the need for medical aid because of the numerous men who are sick due to lack of sanitation, unhealthy environment (mentions miasma, vapor from swamp believed to cause disease) and lack of medicine because of some blunder, speaks of doctors doing what they can with what little they have to do with and praise for Dr. Blanchard; the rebel batteries firing upon a boat, and Adj. Parker going home on sick leave.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include a description of the battle at Baton Rouge on August 5th, expresses his thoughts that the Rebels received misinformation about the strength of the Union forces thus suffering great losses, blowing up of a Rebel boat that was part of a CSA plan to attack Union gunboats, mentions ...
Show moreTopics include a description of the battle at Baton Rouge on August 5th, expresses his thoughts that the Rebels received misinformation about the strength of the Union forces thus suffering great losses, blowing up of a Rebel boat that was part of a CSA plan to attack Union gunboats, mentions "ram On Ransom", the death of Colonel George T. Roberts and General Williams.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Writing to his father in Montpelier, Vt topics include Holbrook's desire to be appointed aide to General Phelps staff rather than Gen. Brooks', mentions names of several officers, his suggestion to appoint only West Point men to the position of Colonel, his opinion about Frank making a good Major...
Show moreWriting to his father in Montpelier, Vt topics include Holbrook's desire to be appointed aide to General Phelps staff rather than Gen. Brooks', mentions names of several officers, his suggestion to appoint only West Point men to the position of Colonel, his opinion about Frank making a good Major, praise for McClellan and celebrating Thanksgiving on the wrong day.
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