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
(121 - 140 of 239)
Pages
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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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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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- 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
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From Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas topics include Barney receiving military pay (back from Nov 1 of $580), how Maria is to distribute it to pay off money owed by Barney, reaffirms his devotion to Maria, his ability to not be tempted to stray and his delight in receiving letters from his young children Carrie and Fred (even if not quite intelligible).
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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
- Description
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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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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Barney writes that his health has improved, there are 130 men on the sick list but little death. He also allays his wife’s fear that he is drinking, assures her that the officers of the 9th are not drinking men, that he is still in charge of the regiment as Col. Ripley is still on the examining...
Show moreBarney writes that his health has improved, there are 130 men on the sick list but little death. He also allays his wife’s fear that he is drinking, assures her that the officers of the 9th are not drinking men, that he is still in charge of the regiment as Col. Ripley is still on the examining board, of being hungry for milk & hopes Maria will get a barn.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include working on building forts, his surprise at the resignation of Colonel Stowell, that he was finally able to send his box back to Vermont, and mentions photographs for his album at home. He also refers to the wedding of Silas L. Griffith and Libby M. Staples on May 20th in Danby,...
Show moreTopics include working on building forts, his surprise at the resignation of Colonel Stowell, that he was finally able to send his box back to Vermont, and mentions photographs for his album at home. He also refers to the wedding of Silas L. Griffith and Libby M. Staples on May 20th in Danby, Vermont.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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Topics include the conditions at Camp Tyler, the observation of the Sabbath not to his liking as the duty of dispensing clothing to the men, etc. took up much of it, recounts the past 3 weeks, of seeing Vermont marble on the floors of some buildings on his visit to the city of Chicago, the...
Show moreTopics include the conditions at Camp Tyler, the observation of the Sabbath not to his liking as the duty of dispensing clothing to the men, etc. took up much of it, recounts the past 3 weeks, of seeing Vermont marble on the floors of some buildings on his visit to the city of Chicago, the Chicago marble business using Vermont marble and of there being a lot of Vermonters in the area.
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- 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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From Camp Douglas topics include Barney having had 48 small photographs of himself made, of sending photographs home to his family, of several of his men, of trying to get a furlough for one of them, of expecting to stay where he is for a while longer, fixing up his living quarters, Colonel...
Show moreFrom Camp Douglas topics include Barney having had 48 small photographs of himself made, of sending photographs home to his family, of several of his men, of trying to get a furlough for one of them, of expecting to stay where he is for a while longer, fixing up his living quarters, Colonel Andrus to arrive in camp to replace Stannard who may go home to recover his health, newspapers reporting Reg. to be sent back East, and the invitation to spend Christmas at Mrs. Snow’s.
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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, 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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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
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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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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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- Title
- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include Barney sending photographs of himself home to his wife and family.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Topics include a review of the Brigade by General [Henry Morris] Naglee, sickness in camp, and the reliability of the 9th Regiment and its officers, which causes them to be used by General [Issac Jones] Wistar in many responsible positions in the Brigade. Describes how well the officers are...
Show moreTopics include a review of the Brigade by General [Henry Morris] Naglee, sickness in camp, and the reliability of the 9th Regiment and its officers, which causes them to be used by General [Issac Jones] Wistar in many responsible positions in the Brigade. Describes how well the officers are living, foods they are eating. Again requests photographs of his children.
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