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 43)
Pages
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- E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]
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Topics include several companies camping on the riverbank in Maryland, Jackson’s army assembling in Leasburg, and preparing to march most likely to Edwards Ferry.
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- George W. Quimby to Mother
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Topics include the improvement of George W. Quimby’s health, the cold nights, and a request for his father to send him an overcoat.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
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From Annapolis, Maryland topics include the welcoming in New York City, pay soon and to be in Treasury notes, description and conditions at the camp in Annapolis, 21 horses of the regiment's that died in transport or in the mud since leaving Burlington and a list of items wanted and what type of...
Show moreFrom Annapolis, Maryland topics include the welcoming in New York City, pay soon and to be in Treasury notes, description and conditions at the camp in Annapolis, 21 horses of the regiment's that died in transport or in the mud since leaving Burlington and a list of items wanted and what type of box they are to be put in.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
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Topics include the journey from Annapolis to Harpers Ferry, Henry Smith's good health, liking the hand made shirt he received from home very much, keeps his brandy with him, burning of the post office by the Confederates, requests more postage stamps.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
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Topics include Henry Smith receiving his payment, a request for some items from home, and the bad weather in Annapolis.
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- Henry A. Smith to Family
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From Williams Post, Maryland Smith writes 2 letters one dated May 27 and one May 28. (First Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862). Topics include a terrible battle in and near Winchester in which he escaped injury, of many men from the regiment being lost but many returning to camp the next day,...
Show moreFrom Williams Post, Maryland Smith writes 2 letters one dated May 27 and one May 28. (First Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862). Topics include a terrible battle in and near Winchester in which he escaped injury, of many men from the regiment being lost but many returning to camp the next day, rebels suffering great losses, mentions General Shields, General Fremont and General Banks, cautions given to his siblings at home regarding being in and near the water.
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- Title
- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include marching to South Pass, Middleton, Maryland, now defending only place the Confederates can cross the Potomac into Va., capturing, killing and wounding Rebels, brief mention of some desertions from the army, and the increased dangers of war for him and the troops.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Writing in the field on the railroad line at Frederick Junction, Maryland (June 30 to July 1) ; topics include being with the 3rd Army Corps under Gen. French, days of rainy weather, having to sleep out doors with only a rubber blanket, put in charge of 3000 men, troops assigned to defend a...
Show moreWriting in the field on the railroad line at Frederick Junction, Maryland (June 30 to July 1) ; topics include being with the 3rd Army Corps under Gen. French, days of rainy weather, having to sleep out doors with only a rubber blanket, put in charge of 3000 men, troops assigned to defend a bridge crossing the Manoray River and hearing the distant sound of cannon (perhaps Pickett's Charge as part of the Battle of Gettysburg)
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- Title
- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include getting paid so as to make payment on their new house, $500 sent home, wishing to have a photograph of the finished house sent to him, having a pleasant lifestyle in camp with visits with other officers, a trip to Washington to purchase medicine, how fat J. C. Rutherford has grown,...
Show moreTopics include getting paid so as to make payment on their new house, $500 sent home, wishing to have a photograph of the finished house sent to him, having a pleasant lifestyle in camp with visits with other officers, a trip to Washington to purchase medicine, how fat J. C. Rutherford has grown, suggestions for his wife to have a garden, and war news conflicting but evidence of a lot of fighting because of the number wounded arriving at City Hospitals .
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Writing in the field at Maryland Heights Rutherford writes of being surrounded by thousands of troops, writing his letter on a box looking down on Harpers Ferry, W. Va. and the view of the Shenandoah Valley and being in anticipation of some great event about to happen (perhaps part of the...
Show moreWriting in the field at Maryland Heights Rutherford writes of being surrounded by thousands of troops, writing his letter on a box looking down on Harpers Ferry, W. Va. and the view of the Shenandoah Valley and being in anticipation of some great event about to happen (perhaps part of the Maryland Campaign), mentions the damage to area houses and the ground laid waste.
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- Title
- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include not receiving any letters from home, wishing to know if the $25 sent has been received, dealing with the camp cooks drinking too much whiskey and getting drunk, needing to confront the Quartermaster for interfering with his teams and ambulances again, Colonel Jewett's wife visiting...
Show moreTopics include not receiving any letters from home, wishing to know if the $25 sent has been received, dealing with the camp cooks drinking too much whiskey and getting drunk, needing to confront the Quartermaster for interfering with his teams and ambulances again, Colonel Jewett's wife visiting which makes four wives in camp which relieves coarseness among the men and relieves monotony in camp.
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- Title
- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include the first battle the regiment with the Confederates, Rutherford's praise for the men attending to their duty, hospital boys volunteer to carry water to the troops in the ranks, the prospect that the regiment with remain stationed here, a trip to Washington to collect supplies and...
Show moreTopics include the first battle the regiment with the Confederates, Rutherford's praise for the men attending to their duty, hospital boys volunteer to carry water to the troops in the ranks, the prospect that the regiment with remain stationed here, a trip to Washington to collect supplies and visit the hospitals there.
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- Title
- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include J.C. Rutherford reassuring his wife that he is still alive, the men are on alert, he nervous at the prospect of a fight, sending her $20 and advising his wife to be economical with it as he does not know when he will be paid next.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Writing two letters dated July 7th and 8th from South Mountain Pass, Maryland topics include the deplorable state of Rebel prisoners captured, the kindness of the Vermont Regiment towards the prisoners by giving the Confederates their rations, prisoners marching to Washington, D. C., his...
Show moreWriting two letters dated July 7th and 8th from South Mountain Pass, Maryland topics include the deplorable state of Rebel prisoners captured, the kindness of the Vermont Regiment towards the prisoners by giving the Confederates their rations, prisoners marching to Washington, D. C., his reflections on the battle at South Mountain that took place September 1862, Union destruction of Rebel pontoon bridges, one time the troops rejoice at the heavy rain as it keeps the river high and having potatoes and fresh berries to eat.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
- Description
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Topics include Hannah not yet in the new house and Rutherford anxious for her comfort, having a very pleasant officer's life visiting with Dr. Childe, his wife and other officers, Mrs. Childe to entertain by singing, mentions they being stationed at the extreme outpost for the defense of...
Show moreTopics include Hannah not yet in the new house and Rutherford anxious for her comfort, having a very pleasant officer's life visiting with Dr. Childe, his wife and other officers, Mrs. Childe to entertain by singing, mentions they being stationed at the extreme outpost for the defense of Washington, D.C., description of a medical account to Mr. Coburn by Rutherford for neutering Coburn's cat, fresh beef and berries in the area for eating, and the health of the children.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Daughter
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Rutherford writes from his Maryland camp to his daughter, Helen, of military life, about the fact that there is no day of worship in the military, food preparations for Thanksgiving dinner, description of the dress parade, Typhoid fever in the camp, and the proper care that the Vermont regiment...
Show moreRutherford writes from his Maryland camp to his daughter, Helen, of military life, about the fact that there is no day of worship in the military, food preparations for Thanksgiving dinner, description of the dress parade, Typhoid fever in the camp, and the proper care that the Vermont regiment is receiving from their surgeons.
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- Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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Unit has marched to Berlin, Maryland near Harper's Ferry, military duty ends July 23rd, most likely not see any more action before leaving the army, returning to Brattleboro by the 1st of August, asks about those pants he requested made, expresses his opinion on the New York City draft riot (July...
Show moreUnit has marched to Berlin, Maryland near Harper's Ferry, military duty ends July 23rd, most likely not see any more action before leaving the army, returning to Brattleboro by the 1st of August, asks about those pants he requested made, expresses his opinion on the New York City draft riot (July 13 - 16, 1863), mentions a eating warm biscuit & blackberry pie for dinner.
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- Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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A brief letter about the Potomac Army camping near Williamsport, Maryland, Lee crossing into Virginia, and the expectation to move very soon.
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- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Recounts a long march to Gettysburg and of laying in wait for the enemy, engaged in a skirmish with the Rebels, one brigade left to deal with them and the rest of the men returned to camp where time was spent socializing. Writes some of the Vermont men sent home and states that he is sending...
Show moreRecounts a long march to Gettysburg and of laying in wait for the enemy, engaged in a skirmish with the Rebels, one brigade left to deal with them and the rest of the men returned to camp where time was spent socializing. Writes some of the Vermont men sent home and states that he is sending letters home via Alf. Olmstead for safekeeping.
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- Moses W. Sawyer to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Receipts for the purchase of two horses.