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
(21 - 40 of 43)
Pages
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Brother
- Description
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Topics include the 4th of July celebrations, guard duty of a bridge, diarrhea, accidental gun firing injuring a fellow soldier's hand, plenty of water but it is muddy river water, fresh local fruit and corn, and a brief account of Ship Island including mentioning how "black" the men were (either...
Show moreTopics include the 4th of July celebrations, guard duty of a bridge, diarrhea, accidental gun firing injuring a fellow soldier's hand, plenty of water but it is muddy river water, fresh local fruit and corn, and a brief account of Ship Island including mentioning how "black" the men were (either referring to being unclean or to mood).
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Brother
- Description
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Writing to his brother from Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s journey and arrival back at Camp Holbrook after having gone home to Elmore, Vermont for a visit, the expectation of receiving pay, and the possibility of leaving for Ship Island, Mississippi soon.
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- Justus F. Gale to Family
- Description
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Topics include the sickness and deaths in the regiment due to Typhoid Fever and poor water, a report that Vicksburg was burned, and the call for the 11th and 12th regiments from Vermont.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Father
- Description
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Topics include the good health of Justus Gale, a description of the land in Algiers including deep mud, swamp and tall grasses, and the sickness in the regiment.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Father
- Description
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Topics include the medicating himself after seeing the doctor twice to rid his diarrhea, taking of Richmond and rebel prisoners, the weather in Algiers, high price of provisions, inquires about family and the plan to go visit friends 4 miles away.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Father
- Description
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Topics include arrangements being made between Justus’ father and brother to take care of his father, trying to stop his father from taking a premium heifer, and admonishing his father not to spend money on anything but his own care. He also writes of the weather in Louisiana in the winter and...
Show moreTopics include arrangements being made between Justus’ father and brother to take care of his father, trying to stop his father from taking a premium heifer, and admonishing his father not to spend money on anything but his own care. He also writes of the weather in Louisiana in the winter and how pleasant it is, except when it rains and gets muddy.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Father
- Description
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Gale writes of his regiment and the rebels, of other troops encountering the enemy who left much camp supplies, cannon, etc. behind, receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, trying to appease both parents concerning the farm and deeding it back to his father, his concerns about his father having...
Show moreGale writes of his regiment and the rebels, of other troops encountering the enemy who left much camp supplies, cannon, etc. behind, receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, trying to appease both parents concerning the farm and deeding it back to his father, his concerns about his father having another woman in his life and how that affects him, and the expectation that the regiment will return to Algiers.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Writing to his mother, topics include marching orders to go up the railroad, waiting for a regiment of contrabands from the other side of the river to lead the way on their march, receiving his military pay, and giving his best wishes to his mother.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include a few deaths in the regiment, a description of the Battle at Baton Rouge (August 5, 1862) , and the resignation and promotions within the regiment.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include his health and the sore on his hand, the family situation in Vermont, including the separation of his parents and how things have changed since he left, and how Sunday is usually the day the army usually has an inspection or moves.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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From Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s common cold, asking for leave denied, only those with wife and babies being allowed to go home, the rumor that Texas and Tennessee has been ordered to surrender, has received $33 in military pay and the expectation to stay at Camp Holbrook for another...
Show moreFrom Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s common cold, asking for leave denied, only those with wife and babies being allowed to go home, the rumor that Texas and Tennessee has been ordered to surrender, has received $33 in military pay and the expectation to stay at Camp Holbrook for another month.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Topics include getting ready to march with the 19th Corps against Fort Bisland and Colonel Thomas’ confidence in the 8th Vermont. He also writes that the regiment marched over 100 miles and captured 2,200 prisoners in an addendum to his letter, dated April 21.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while...
Show moreGale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while some complain of the conditions in the army, they are the ones who hadn’t been “weaned” yet.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O...
Show moreGale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O’Mara, on May 14th, and finishes his letter with a complaint against all those to whom he has written who have not yet replied, and gossip about Ira F. Grout of Elmore, Vermont.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include trying to figure out where letters may have gone missing, letters taking several weeks to arrive, not receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, the lack of details about the taking of New Orleans, and Justus Gale being on guard last night.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Writing to his sister topics include the journey from Camp Holbrook to Ship Island through New York via train car, mentions 45 rebel officers being taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, hopes the war to be over soon, thinks of his family back home and puts his faith in God to rule over all.
- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include his health and the condition of the sore on his hand, the rumors in Vermont about the 8th Vermont Regiment, news about the officers in Company A, and a comment about a private who transferred to the 3rd Louisiana Native Guard to become an officer. He also writes jokingly about...
Show moreTopics include his health and the condition of the sore on his hand, the rumors in Vermont about the 8th Vermont Regiment, news about the officers in Company A, and a comment about a private who transferred to the 3rd Louisiana Native Guard to become an officer. He also writes jokingly about coming home with a “yellow gal.”
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include observing the Sabbath in camp by reading the Bible, a description of dress parade, gives his enlistment date at Sept 23, 1861, anticipates military pay of $20 a month from the date of enlistment and mentions again the bombardment of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River by Commodore A...
Show moreTopics include observing the Sabbath in camp by reading the Bible, a description of dress parade, gives his enlistment date at Sept 23, 1861, anticipates military pay of $20 a month from the date of enlistment and mentions again the bombardment of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River by Commodore A H Foote and General Grant.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Topics include his appreciation for receiving a box from his family, letters he has received from friends, information on his speculation in watches and apples, and his decision not to receive a photograph of his brother, Charlie, who died on August 30, 1862, since Charlie still seems alive to...
Show moreTopics include his appreciation for receiving a box from his family, letters he has received from friends, information on his speculation in watches and apples, and his decision not to receive a photograph of his brother, Charlie, who died on August 30, 1862, since Charlie still seems alive to Justus.
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- Title
- Justus F. Gale to Sister
- Description
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Gale writes a long description of his company’s role in the Battle of Fort Bisland on April 12th and 13th, and is pleased by General Banks’ praise of the performance of the 8th Vermont Regiment. He also writes of his pleasure at receiving a photograph of Emily Taft of Barre, and his wish that he...
Show moreGale writes a long description of his company’s role in the Battle of Fort Bisland on April 12th and 13th, and is pleased by General Banks’ praise of the performance of the 8th Vermont Regiment. He also writes of his pleasure at receiving a photograph of Emily Taft of Barre, and his wish that he could have photographs of all his family, though he would be unable to carry them all in his wallet. As well, he writes of picking up Confederate money from a house that was abandoned before the advance of the “damd yankees” and of seeing rich clothing that he wished he could send home.
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