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
(181 - 200 of 239)
Pages
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include Wheelock Veazey’s position as Judge Advocate of a General Court Martial, the inspiration of General McClellan, and a love letter to his wife.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include movement of the Army to Clouds Mills in a rainstorm, impossibility of getting to the enemy via land, presence of fortifications at Manassas, observations about McClellan, and reminiscences of good times spent with his wife.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include new duties as Provost Marshall, reference to several officers, his opinion of the fighting is for an idea as the Southern land, climate and people are not worth much, longs to be at home.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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From Camp Winfield Scott topics include Motts battery engaging the rebels, an account of Wheelock Veazey’s regiment driving the rebels back, references to several officers and their men and the losses during the skirmishes.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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From Camp Vermont, topics include orders to prepare huts for winter quarters, Wheelock Veazey loving and missing his wife, of a visit to Col Stevens and Col. Bowers, and an indirect reference to his wife's pregnancy.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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Writing from Camp Griffin, Va. topics include admiring and comments on wife’s photograph, officers quarreling and difficulties with General Brooks.
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- 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.
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- 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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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include the Union gaining control of New Orleans, General Shepley becoming Military Commandant of the city, and the news that the Vermont Brigade has been gaining control on the Potomac. Evaluations of Generals Butler and Shepley. Also mentions the "contrabands" or slaves coming within...
Show moreTopics include the Union gaining control of New Orleans, General Shepley becoming Military Commandant of the city, and the news that the Vermont Brigade has been gaining control on the Potomac. Evaluations of Generals Butler and Shepley. Also mentions the "contrabands" or slaves coming within Union lines. (Butler would later start recruiting African Americans to be Union soldiers.)
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Writing to his father (Gov. Holbrook) topics include arriving at Ship Harbor Island by Ship Brenner, a description of the islands that included coconut trees, meeting with Gen. Butler and Gen. Phelps, and the location of David Dixon Porter’s fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
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- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Topics include the resignation of Colonel Fullam, the promotion of Holbrook to Colonel, and the recommendation that Captain Peck be promoted to Lt. Col.
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- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Written on illustrated letter head stationery from near Vicksburg William writes to his father, Gov. Holbrook and topics include Colonel Roberts coming to New Orleans, the rebels erecting their batteries in Grand Gulf and firing upon the Union boats coming up the river, and the possibility that...
Show moreWritten on illustrated letter head stationery from near Vicksburg William writes to his father, Gov. Holbrook and topics include Colonel Roberts coming to New Orleans, the rebels erecting their batteries in Grand Gulf and firing upon the Union boats coming up the river, and the possibility that the regiment will be ordered to Baton Rouge.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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To Gov. Holbrook with topics including the resignation of 1st Lieutenant Howard of Company G; the recommendations for the position, effects of illness at Vicksburg creating vacancies; the difficulty of finding replacements because of the “infamous Order”, still seeks info about the establishment...
Show moreTo Gov. Holbrook with topics including the resignation of 1st Lieutenant Howard of Company G; the recommendations for the position, effects of illness at Vicksburg creating vacancies; the difficulty of finding replacements because of the “infamous Order”, still seeks info about the establishment of a court of inquiry; his expression of anger and disgust at how the Dept. is being run and writes of the proposition that he (William) tender his resignation.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
- Description
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Writing to his father, Gov. Holbrook, from the steamer, Morning Sight near Vicksburg topics include asking if he can have a battery to command, mentions Fort Pike, the desire to join the artillery service, the hope to be given captaincy, and the slow bombardments by the rebels but there was an...
Show moreWriting to his father, Gov. Holbrook, from the steamer, Morning Sight near Vicksburg topics include asking if he can have a battery to command, mentions Fort Pike, the desire to join the artillery service, the hope to be given captaincy, and the slow bombardments by the rebels but there was an attack by 3000 Confederates thinking to board the Union mortar boats only to be beaten back when fired upon.
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- Title
- William C. Holbrook to Mother
- Description
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Topics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that...
Show moreTopics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that Holbrook replace Faillam, Holbrook’s desire to go into a regiment located in Virginia, Gen. Phelps and his opinions on the slave question, Gen. Butler's compliments to the regiment for its brave conduct in the Baton Rouge battle, sending home of the Secessionist's flag retrieved from Fort Pike, desire for newspapers from Vt.
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