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 225)
Pages
- Title
- [C. W.] Seaton to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include the nomination of Governor Holbrook for the Lieut-Colonelcy of the 1st Regiment Berdan's Sharp Shooters and John Wolcott Phelps' opinion of nominating Captain Ripley of Rutland for the position instead.
- Title
- [Frederick Holbrook] to [F. F. Holbrook]
- Description
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Topics include a summary of Frederick Holbrook's requests for General Phelps to go to Washington to discuss the 7th Vermont Regiment. Reference to Senator Foote is probably Solomon Foot, senator from Vermont (1851-1866).
- Title
- [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother
- Description
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Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Va of the regiment's scouting expedition, of Capt. Stowell's company, of obtaining two hogs from a pen, of the fact that the captain is not very liked and that Lt. Hamilton is well liked by the company. Cautions his mother against being bothered about hear say.
- Title
- [Lamuay] to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include errors in Colonel Phelps' rolls and a special order allowing Colonel Phelps to decide where the 1st Regiment Vermont Volunteer Militia will camp.
- Title
- [Lawrence] D. Clark, [William] W. Pelton, [Hiram] E. Perkins, [Dudley K.] Andross, [Oscar S.] Tuttle, [William] H. Boynton, [Joseph] Bush, [David B.] Peck, [Eben S.] Hayward, and Wm. Y. W. Ripley to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include the commanding officers of the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia requesting the 1st Regiment be allowed to stay at the Willard Hotel.
- Title
- [Le Grand B. Cannon] to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include General Phelps returning to Vermont and addressing members of the Legislature. (Phelps resigned his commission Aug. 21, 1862 after Washington rejected his recruitment of African Americans to fight for the Union.) Cannon invites Phelps to visit him to talk about the war.
- Title
- A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the...
Show moreTopics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the battle of the 21st near Leesburg and flags of truce.
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- Title
- A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
- Description
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Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
- Title
- Albert B. Jewett to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Letter discussing Jewett’s possible promotion to Brigadier General (as Jewett's name is on a list for promotions) and Jewett willing to help get a staff position for Gov. Dillingham's son if Jewett is promoted.
- Title
- Asa P. Blunt
- Description
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A pass for Lt. Col. Roswell Farnham, G. G. Benedict, and Mary Farnham to go to Washington signed by Asa P. Blunt, Col. Commanding at Wolf Run Shoals, Va.
- Title
- Asa P. Blunt
- Description
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Pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington for 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commander of Brigade ; extended 48 hours by Maj. Genl. Heintzelman.
- Title
- Asa P. Blunt
- Description
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A pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington to return in 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commanding 2nd Brigade Casey's Division.
- Title
- Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
- Description
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Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
- Title
- Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
- Description
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Topics include the policy of the war department to not allow anyone to go home regardless of their circumstances,enquiries about home, Parmenter's growing disillusion with the Army, and a discussion about "the Southern confederacy is a fixed fact."
- Title
- Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
- Description
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Topics include the regiment being located at Bush Hill Camp, rumors that they may join up with another brigade, more discussion of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, Parmenter's low opinions of the regiments officers,and his disappointment in the treatment of the soldiers.
- Title
- Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major...
Show moreTopics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major fighting doesn't ensue until May 31st (Battle of Seven Pines, May 31), when Confederates take advantage of Union positions on the south side of the Chickahominy River.
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- Title
- Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include the movement of the regiment to Harrison's Landing, the extensive loss in the 5th Vermont Regiment (Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862), the arrest of Captain Eaton, and a request for a few goods from home.
- Title
- Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Topics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was...
Show moreTopics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was the Battle of Hanover Court House, 18 miles north of Richmond, on May 27th, 1862. Mentions the appointment of Col. George J. Stannard to lead the Vt. 9th Regiment.
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- Title
- Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Writes of wishing to be sent food such as dried beef, cheese, pickles, maple sugar, crackers. Mentions Bush Hill, camping in rainy weather with everything they had being wet, brigade review by General Smith, discontent among the officers. In need of recruits.
- Title
- Charles F. Bancroft to Mary Bancroft
- Description
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Topics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident...
Show moreTopics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident as a soldier (enjoys picketing) and is certain he could serve another two years if asked.
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