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 22)
Pages
- 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
- Charles F. Bancroft to Family
- Description
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Topics include taking possession of Shelman's Mill, the men killed and wounded by the Rebels, and an account of brief skirmishes. Bancroft describes abandoned Rebel fortifications and odd items left behind. Senses that greater fighting is about to begin, and indeed, the so-called siege of...
Show moreTopics include taking possession of Shelman's Mill, the men killed and wounded by the Rebels, and an account of brief skirmishes. Bancroft describes abandoned Rebel fortifications and odd items left behind. Senses that greater fighting is about to begin, and indeed, the so-called siege of Yorktown, Va. dates from this period. In a lighter moment, Bancroft expresses his gratitude for the green tea he received from home: "there is nothing better for a soldier on a march than a cup of tea."
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- Title
- Charles F. Bancroft to Smiley Bancroft
- Description
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Topics include picket guard, description of camp life, and a prediction of the future of the war.
- Title
- Henry L. Terry to John W. Campbell
- Description
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Topics include encamping at Lee's Mill, twelve miles from Washington, close to the Rebels.
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- Justus F. Gale to [Family]
- Description
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Writing from Brattleboro topics include drilling, a few companies being sworn into the United States service, Justus Gale’s health improving from a brief cold, mentions "rag" hash soup, boiled beef & potatoes, news of family members and the snow at camp.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include an encounter between the Zouaves and Rebels, flap-jacks and doughnuts in camp, an African-American prisoner by the name of Joe Wilson, the probability of not engaging in a fight, and the bugs and mosquitoes at camp.
- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include acting as Adjutant of the Regiment at Camp Fairbanks, Rutland, and considering a commission in the army with the rank of captain. Farnham mentions his high regard for his superiors, especially Ge. Baxter, and how much the soldiers look forward to arriving at Fort Monroe and...
Show moreTopics include acting as Adjutant of the Regiment at Camp Fairbanks, Rutland, and considering a commission in the army with the rank of captain. Farnham mentions his high regard for his superiors, especially Ge. Baxter, and how much the soldiers look forward to arriving at Fort Monroe and eventually training for battle.
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- Title
- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about...
Show moreTopics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard
- Description
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Topics include the cleanliness of the camp and the arrival of Wheelock G. Veazey’s horse.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard, Albin Beard to Wheelock G. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include the assignment of Wheelock G. Veazey’s regiment to the post of honor within their division of the army.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include General Hancock being in command of the 1st Brigade.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include the measures taken by the camp to secure their safety.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of...
Show moreTopics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of Lewinsville.
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- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include plans to capture a company in Virginia, the danger the Capitol is in according to General Smith, and the preventative steps being taken to protect it.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey’s position as field officer of the day, the lack of sleep the soldiers are experiencing, and the ease with which the Rebels could attack the Regiment.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include the cold nights and the toll it takes and Wheelock G. Veazey’s responsibilities in camp.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a skirmish in which a Rebel officer was taken prisoner and Wheelock G. Veazey’s black servant that he hired to work for him.
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- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include Colonel Hyde being occupied with special business. Wheelock G. Veazey taking command, and reconnoitering in enemy territory.
- Title
- Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
- Description
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Topics include a few items Wheelock G. Veazey would like his wife Julia to send him and concern that his horse will die.