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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Title: Vermonters in the Civil War
Creator
Subject
Description: 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 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.
Publisher: University of Vermont Libraries, Center for Digital Initiatives
Contributor
Date: January 1, 1861 - February 28, 1864
Type
Format
Identifier: uvmcdi:civilwar, local: civilwar
Source
Language: eng
Relation
Coverage
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to uvmsci@uvm.edu.

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Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Description: Topics include the journey from Washington to Anapolis, Maryland and an account of a runaway slave.

Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Description: From camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels,...
Show moreFrom camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels, praise of McClellan, reference to Bull Run, John Pope and some of the other men who have been wounded.
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Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Description: Topics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the...
Show moreTopics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the soldiers have to pay for them.
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Title: Henry A. Smith to Frances E. Smith
Description: Short note written to tell his sister that he has been moved to the hospital in Richmond and that he is sick with dysentery. Henry died the next day.

Title: Henry A. Smith to Friends
Description: Topics include the snow in Burlington and the difficulties caused by the weather.

Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Description: A very brief letter from near Alexandria, Va. Topics include Henry Smith getting paid, the resignation of Colonel Tompki, General Blake returning home, a fellow soldier awaits court-martial.

Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Description: Two letters one dated Dec 5th and one 6th. Topics include the snowy weather, Henry Smith's good health, and the difficult times the men who were drafted will face.

Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Description: Writing from Chantilla, Virginia topics include the anticipation of receiving a package from home. Box directed to the camp at Alexandria for a few items were sent on to his current location.Mentions his good health and that he often feels better out scouting than when he stays in camp. States...
Show moreWriting from Chantilla, Virginia topics include the anticipation of receiving a package from home. Box directed to the camp at Alexandria for a few items were sent on to his current location.Mentions his good health and that he often feels better out scouting than when he stays in camp. States fellow Vermonter taken prisoner. Inquires about folks and activities at home.
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Title: Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence
Description: Henry Harrison Wilder enlisted from Weybridge, VT on August 23, 1861 as corporal in Co. F, 5th Vermont Regiment. He was killed in action at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. Wilder wrote home about conditions at Camp Holbrook in St. Albans, Vermont, and Camp Griffin in Virginia, where the...
Show moreHenry Harrison Wilder enlisted from Weybridge, VT on August 23, 1861 as corporal in Co. F, 5th Vermont Regiment. He was killed in action at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. Wilder wrote home about conditions at Camp Holbrook in St. Albans, Vermont, and Camp Griffin in Virginia, where the Vermonters were hit hard by disease. Wilder described the progress of the Peninsula Campaign in the spring of 1862, including the battles of Lee's Mill and Williamsburg. Also included is a letter from Sergeant Merrill Samson of Weybridge, Wilder's best friend in the army, giving an account of his death, and several letters of condolence to Wilder's family.
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Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to ?
Description: Topics include Wilder's uncertainties regarding if he shall ever see his family again and if the regiment is going to advance, as well as sending items home.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include a request for Wilder's mother to send him papers, envelopes, butter, cheese, sausage, and any other essential items.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include clarifying things that were written home about Merrill, what Wilder will do once he leaves the army alive, and a man named Damon Hunter returning home after having his leg amputated. One Civil War chronology notes on this date "little or no action on the main front in Virginia...
Show moreTopics include clarifying things that were written home about Merrill, what Wilder will do once he leaves the army alive, and a man named Damon Hunter returning home after having his leg amputated. One Civil War chronology notes on this date "little or no action on the main front in Virginia along the Chickahominy."
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Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Va. of a scouting and foraging expedition of 30,000 men whereby corn, hay and wood were obtained, of the death of Fenton on November 29th, of few meetings held by the Chaplain who is not very well thought of and of visiting the sick in the hospital.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Wilder's location is titled "Sesesh Church," in Alexandria. "Sesesh," Wilder's phonetic spelling of "secesh," or "secessionist," suggests that the members of the church were Confederate sympathizers. Mentions Gen. George B. McClellan (recently relieved of his supreme command but still in charge...
Show moreWilder's location is titled "Sesesh Church," in Alexandria. "Sesesh," Wilder's phonetic spelling of "secesh," or "secessionist," suggests that the members of the church were Confederate sympathizers. Mentions Gen. George B. McClellan (recently relieved of his supreme command but still in charge of the Army of the Potomac) and the beginnings of the Peninsula Campaign, which involved patrolling the James and York rivers. Wilder expresses determination to fight for the Union cause.
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Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Henry requests food items of sausages, a chicken pie, and cheese, writes that Merrill wants his mother to stuff 5 chickens, bake them and freeze them and send them in a box, of he and Merrill going to be tent mates.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include Wilder getting his army picture taken, his plan to send it to his mother, and a victory at Roanoke Island, No. Carolina (Feb. 8), in which over 2,000 prisoners were taken.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Henry writes a solemn letter about the death from consumption of his tent mate, Adams Potter of Cornwall, of his plans to write to friends and family.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include Captain E. S. Stowell heading for Vermont to become a Major in the 9th Regiment, the death of Wilder's Aunt, and Wilder receiving his pay the next day. June 25 marks the beginning of the failed campaign against Richmond known as The Seven Days.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include the preparations to march and then the order was countermanded. Mentions "the box" of supplies from home.

Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Description: Topics include marching orders, the cold weather, and the way the regiment sets up their guns so they are always ready. The order to march probably refers to Lincoln's General War Order No. 1, an attempt to prod his generals to act. By "Chatilerz" Wilder may have meant "chattelers," or those...
Show moreTopics include marching orders, the cold weather, and the way the regiment sets up their guns so they are always ready. The order to march probably refers to Lincoln's General War Order No. 1, an attempt to prod his generals to act. By "Chatilerz" Wilder may have meant "chattelers," or those assigned the duty of moving war materiel.
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