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
(101 - 120 of 239)
Pages
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Farnham writes from Camp Phelps in Brattleboro to wife Mary about the possibility of mustering out, of the men getting paid, and Col. Phelps now General Phelps.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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In Virginia camp topics include the beautiful scenery at Rappahannock Bridge, good health of the men as well as himself, mentions his horses Burnie and White Face, General Stoneman with five thousand cavalry crossing at Kelly’s Ford following a successful cavalry expedition, the failure of Hooker...
Show moreIn Virginia camp topics include the beautiful scenery at Rappahannock Bridge, good health of the men as well as himself, mentions his horses Burnie and White Face, General Stoneman with five thousand cavalry crossing at Kelly’s Ford following a successful cavalry expedition, the failure of Hooker, and contrabands in camp.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include a group of officers and men going on a ride to the battle field of Bull Run, thoughts of wanting to stay in the military but home and family pull at him more, the expectation of leaving on July 4th for Brattleboro, a visit to and description of Mr. Buckley’s family (Confederate...
Show moreTopics include a group of officers and men going on a ride to the battle field of Bull Run, thoughts of wanting to stay in the military but home and family pull at him more, the expectation of leaving on July 4th for Brattleboro, a visit to and description of Mr. Buckley’s family (Confederate sympathizers), talk of drinking alcohol and of wife wishing for photographs.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Edwin H. Stoughton
- Description
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Writing from camp near Fairfax, Virginia to Brig. Gen. Stoughton this report includes placement of various troops including the 12th Vt. Vol. Militia regiment moving to the stone bridge, the passing of two bodies of cavalry, and a picket in the rear to look out for rebels.
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- Roswell Farnham to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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To the Governor of Vermont, Frederick Holbrook regarding names recommended for promotions, reporting Colonel Blunt at Fairfax Station, and the capture of General Stoughton.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Letter includes two drawings, one of a stockaded tent the soldiers have done and one of Farnham's cabin, all at Wolf Run Shoals, Va., a description of camp life and conditions, his sister Mary’s visit to camp, the mud and snow, and reconsidering sending money home to repay debts.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Lt. Chamberlain resigns due to illness, General Stoughton taken prisoner by Fitz Hugh Lee’s Cavalry at the Court House (Virginia), the large number of sick men in camp many with typhoid fever, fears his best horse will not regain health, enclosed pictures (ambrotype, a photograph), suggested...
Show moreLt. Chamberlain resigns due to illness, General Stoughton taken prisoner by Fitz Hugh Lee’s Cavalry at the Court House (Virginia), the large number of sick men in camp many with typhoid fever, fears his best horse will not regain health, enclosed pictures (ambrotype, a photograph), suggested reading for Laura with specific book titles stated as well as books he is reading (Motley's History of the Dutch Republic and Woman in White), orders for Colonel Blunt to report to the station to take command of the Brigade, description of who is in the photos being sent home.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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A brief letter stating again his unit's move to Warrenton Junction, the continued sickness of Nelson, Contrabands coming in and telling of victories by Gen. Joseph Hooker (nicknamed Fighting Joe) and the hearing of cannonade during the Second Battle of Fredericksburg (also known as the Second...
Show moreA brief letter stating again his unit's move to Warrenton Junction, the continued sickness of Nelson, Contrabands coming in and telling of victories by Gen. Joseph Hooker (nicknamed Fighting Joe) and the hearing of cannonade during the Second Battle of Fredericksburg (also known as the Second Battle of Marye's Heights May 3, 1863, part of the Chancellorsville Campaign).
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about...
Show moreTopics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to W. H. Hill
- Description
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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
- Salmon Dutton to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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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
- Thomas H. Halsey to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include John Wolcott Phelps' pay as Colonel for the 1st Vermont Volunteers and as Brigadier General once he accepts the position.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Regiment moving into the Rebel fort at Yorktown and of being ordered to evict the 179th Pennsylvania Regiment from the barracks. He also writes of promotions in his former company, and of buying a splendid horse for $225. He comments on the expense of getting “rigged out” as a lieutenant colonel.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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On board a steamer, topics include the journey from Brattleboro to New Haven and then on to Jersey City and eventually to Washington, D.C. that include marching and going by train. Mentions whiskey being drunk by the soldiers and him needing to keep the men sober. His military pay not expected...
Show moreOn board a steamer, topics include the journey from Brattleboro to New Haven and then on to Jersey City and eventually to Washington, D.C. that include marching and going by train. Mentions whiskey being drunk by the soldiers and him needing to keep the men sober. His military pay not expected until September.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes that the Brigade will be doing garrison duty, and that he was Brigade officer of the day. He also writes that the field officers live very well but that it is costly, and that the bathing is good there. Writes of sending a book to Fred, & a souvenir, a percussion tube used to fire...
Show moreBarney writes that the Brigade will be doing garrison duty, and that he was Brigade officer of the day. He also writes that the field officers live very well but that it is costly, and that the bathing is good there. Writes of sending a book to Fred, & a souvenir, a percussion tube used to fire heavy guns, and warns his wife not to pull hard on the wire, in case it goes off. Hopes "to hear of Lee's destruction today."
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include the monotony of camp life, his hope for action, and his comments about promotions in the Regiment. In particular, he feels he will be passed over and a junior captain promoted to Major, because he is not a crony of Colonel Ripley’s. He also compares maintaining discipline in a...
Show moreTopics include the monotony of camp life, his hope for action, and his comments about promotions in the Regiment. In particular, he feels he will be passed over and a junior captain promoted to Major, because he is not a crony of Colonel Ripley’s. He also compares maintaining discipline in a military company with maintaining discipline at home.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes of gaining strength and blames the southern climate for his slow recovery ; plans to buy a horse soon, writes of the change in command of the Army of the Potomac from General Hooker to General Meade, of the capture of William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (son of Robert E. Lee & Confederate...
Show moreBarney writes of gaining strength and blames the southern climate for his slow recovery ; plans to buy a horse soon, writes of the change in command of the Army of the Potomac from General Hooker to General Meade, of the capture of William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (son of Robert E. Lee & Confederate officer), of Harrisburg, Penn. taken by the Rebels.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include being on guard duty, of the many court martial cases to be tried, his passion for collecting photographs of all the officers in the Regiment for his album, the resignation of officers, sending Meigs to pursue a deserter with no luck in arresting him, of hearing about a military...
Show moreTopics include being on guard duty, of the many court martial cases to be tried, his passion for collecting photographs of all the officers in the Regiment for his album, the resignation of officers, sending Meigs to pursue a deserter with no luck in arresting him, of hearing about a military draft in Vermont & the need for men to serve
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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, having his attendant return to camp, his thinking of applying for a furlough to return home when he feels stronger, his outrage at the government for the continued poor living conditions for the men at camp in the sheds, his asking for...
Show moreTopics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health, having his attendant return to camp, his thinking of applying for a furlough to return home when he feels stronger, his outrage at the government for the continued poor living conditions for the men at camp in the sheds, his asking for more money from home and the lack of military pay the soldiers have received.
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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes that they are under marching orders and that the rumor is that the area is being evacuated. Writes of disciplining & reducing his orderly to fifth sergeant and of choosing a new orderly, a Sergt. Cleveland, Lieutenant Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley and how his leadership style is...
Show moreBarney writes that they are under marching orders and that the rumor is that the area is being evacuated. Writes of disciplining & reducing his orderly to fifth sergeant and of choosing a new orderly, a Sergt. Cleveland, Lieutenant Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley and how his leadership style is different from Barney’s and sending crude handmade wooden rings home for the children.
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