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 27)
Pages
- Title
- Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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He writes of the return to Vermont of his wife’s brother, Oramel G. Howe, of sending her a can of milk, as well as other items, going to Brandy Station on business, having drill practice and of witnessing a horse race in which $1000 was the prize.
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- E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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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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- John L. T. Jones to William Wirt Henry
- Description
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Invitation to Colonel Henry to a dance & a glass of apple toddy, made by a Union supporter, John L. T. Jones. He also requests the presence of Dr. Joesph Chase Rutherford.
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- John Lester Barstow to ?
- Description
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Comfortable lodgings of the regiment in New Orleans, the cost of food items, and the ruined state of New Orleans when the Vermont Regiment arrived, interaction with the Negroes.
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- John Lester Barstow to Father
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Topics include the fleeing of Rebels to Texas, the destruction and loss of property near New Orleans, and Barstow’s belief that the war must not end until the Union is restored.
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- John Lester Barstow to Laura
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General Banks supersedes General Butler, the capture of one of the rebel officers, and the dishonorable discharge of Lieutenant Day.
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- John Lester Barstow to Laura
- Description
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Written in the field he writes of idleness of the Regiment since its arrival on the banks of the Bayon and the help the Negroes are receiving from the government, the lack of coffee, poor quality flour, no salt, spoiled meat causing disease, exorbitant prices for food.
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- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Recounts trip to from New York City to Washington, D.C. via steamboat and train ; warmly welcomed in Philadelphia on the way ; states visited with folks and had received ten dollars from his father.
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- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Topics include being on picket duty and receiving his letters through the kindness of Private Francis Phillips of Westford, who walked eight miles to bring them to him. He also writes of wishing to be home for sugaring season that he was chosen editor of the next paper the Sixth Regiment Debating...
Show moreTopics include being on picket duty and receiving his letters through the kindness of Private Francis Phillips of Westford, who walked eight miles to bring them to him. He also writes of wishing to be home for sugaring season that he was chosen editor of the next paper the Sixth Regiment Debating Society.
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- Title
- Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
- Description
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Writes of family back home, that there is no military activity at present and of being asked if he might like to meet a young lady, Miss M. M. G. (i.e. Mary Gorton who later becomes his wife)
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- Mary E. Farnham to Henry
- Description
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Mary Farnham writes from near Fairfax Court House in Virginia to her brother, Henry, of soldiers being taken prisoners, of the wounded, of casualties, of checking rabbit traps for food. She mentions the weather, of her tour of camp, of sickness among the troops, of her excellent dinner at camp...
Show moreMary Farnham writes from near Fairfax Court House in Virginia to her brother, Henry, of soldiers being taken prisoners, of the wounded, of casualties, of checking rabbit traps for food. She mentions the weather, of her tour of camp, of sickness among the troops, of her excellent dinner at camp with Mrs. Blunt, Mrs. Stearns and others, and writes of family back home.
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- Title
- Mary E. Farnham to Laura
- Description
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From Mary Farnham to sister Laura with topics including a detailed description of Mary Farnham’s visit to camp, a visit to Washington visiting the Capitol & Senate buildings ; Farnham's horses sick with horse distemper, one of them being Burnie ; Mary's discomfort traveling in the ambulance ; her...
Show moreFrom Mary Farnham to sister Laura with topics including a detailed description of Mary Farnham’s visit to camp, a visit to Washington visiting the Capitol & Senate buildings ; Farnham's horses sick with horse distemper, one of them being Burnie ; Mary's discomfort traveling in the ambulance ; her embarrassing slip and fall in the ambulance ; her horse ride back ; the good health of the regiment ; weight gain of Lt. Herrick ; her affection for horse Jenny.
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- 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 Laura
- Description
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Two letters dated Feb 10 and Feb. 15. Topics include the costs of newspapers and magazines, the chain of custody of Laura’s braids of hair, comfortable living conditions at the moment, Mary’s visit in camp, mention of a map sent to Charlie, news of friends seen, a trip to Washington where they...
Show moreTwo letters dated Feb 10 and Feb. 15. Topics include the costs of newspapers and magazines, the chain of custody of Laura’s braids of hair, comfortable living conditions at the moment, Mary’s visit in camp, mention of a map sent to Charlie, news of friends seen, a trip to Washington where they saw actress Maggie Mitchell (she was a Confederate sympathizer and friend of John Wilkes Booth), an incident with their dog, suggestions on refurbishing the house and money sent home.
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- 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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Topics include buying necessities for camp, the movement of the regiments around them, and the anticipation of several hours of battalion drills.
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- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Farnham writes from Camp Phelps, in Brattleboro, to wife, Mary, and responses to her complaint about his letters being "cold", also of wet rainy conditions in camp.
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- Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
- Description
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Two letters enclosed. Still on the steamer Long Island at Norfolk, Virginia waiting for the rest of the Regiment before moving on, the Regiment traveling a lot seeing the country, contraband items distributed among the officers and men, seeing men harvesting oysters in the river. He also mentions...
Show moreTwo letters enclosed. Still on the steamer Long Island at Norfolk, Virginia waiting for the rest of the Regiment before moving on, the Regiment traveling a lot seeing the country, contraband items distributed among the officers and men, seeing men harvesting oysters in the river. He also mentions sightseeing in Norfolk, Virginia, buying pants there, and oysters both raw and fried.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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From camp near Fairfax Court House topics include the regiment having to battle the measles, a little battle that broke out near Fairfax Court House, brief reference to Julia being concerned she is so big due to her pregnancy and a brief description of Christmas in camp.
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- William Wirt Henry to John Henry
- Description
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Letter giving details some of camp life, and activities while at winter quarters. Discusses dinner with Mr. Trundell, a prominent Maryland family, news concerning friends, family and plans for Mary Jane to come visit.