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: Hiram H. Barton to Melissa Barton
Description: A poem titled “The Campaign with McClellan 1862” by William Issard, a private in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, copied by Hiram Barton. The poem focuses on Wessell’s Division during the Seven Days Battles, and mentions the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments and the 85th, 92nd, and 96th New...
Show moreA poem titled “The Campaign with McClellan 1862” by William Issard, a private in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, copied by Hiram Barton. The poem focuses on Wessell’s Division during the Seven Days Battles, and mentions the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments and the 85th, 92nd, and 96th New York Regiments.
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Title: Hiram H. Barton to Melissa Barton
Description: Hiram Barton writes of an attack on the Union works by a Confederate Brigade at the Seige of Petersburg on June 24th. He also writes of the danger of raising one’s head above the breast works during the day, and of the soldiers killed. As well he writes of the heat and how exhausted the men are...
Show moreHiram Barton writes of an attack on the Union works by a Confederate Brigade at the Seige of Petersburg on June 24th. He also writes of the danger of raising one’s head above the breast works during the day, and of the soldiers killed. As well he writes of the heat and how exhausted the men are after spending two or three days in the trenchs.
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Title: Hiram H. Barton to Melissa Barton
Description: Topics include the news that he is in the hospital at New Bern, North Carolina, but he is getting better. He also discusses the lateness of the pay and his attempts to stay out of debt, a description of the city, war profiteers, and his opinion of the celebration of Washington’s birthday and how...
Show moreTopics include the news that he is in the hospital at New Bern, North Carolina, but he is getting better. He also discusses the lateness of the pay and his attempts to stay out of debt, a description of the city, war profiteers, and his opinion of the celebration of Washington’s birthday and how that general might view the war.
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Title: Horace Barlow Diary
Description: Horace Barlow was born on May 30, 1842. Barlow graduated from the University of Vermont in 1862 and was a member of the Sigma Phi Society. On August 18th, 1862, Barlow enlisted in Company C of the 12th Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia. While in Burlington, Vermont, he enlisted and then...
Show moreHorace Barlow was born on May 30, 1842. Barlow graduated from the University of Vermont in 1862 and was a member of the Sigma Phi Society. On August 18th, 1862, Barlow enlisted in Company C of the 12th Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia. While in Burlington, Vermont, he enlisted and then travelled south through Brattleboro, New Haven, Jersey City, Philidelphia, and Baltimore before arriving in Washington, D.C. Barlow's diary includes entries from his journey as well as his time spent at: Camp Seward; Hunting Creek Bridge; Camp Vermont; Fairfax, Virginia; W.R. Shoals; Rappahannock Station; Bristow Station; Union Mills; Wolf Run Shoals; as well as his return journey to Vermont. Barlow died on December 31, 1935 in Hudson, Wisconsin.
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Title: Horace Henry Baxter to John Wolcott Phelps
Description: Topics include potentially offering Colonel Phelps command of a three year regiment and inquiring how many horses are needed for his Regiment.

Title: Horatio P. Bruce to Smiley Bancroft
Description: Topics include the death of Charles Bancroft from typhoid fever, the sickness of other men in the company, and that the fall of Richmond will bring the war to an end. Like many other writers, he refers to McClellan's reluctance to deploy his massive army.

Title: Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
Description: Topics include recent battles in Yorktown and Williamsburg, which had significant casualties; the destruction of the C.S.S. Merrimack off the coast of Norfolk, Va., now under Union occupation. McClellan will likely send Vt. troops home once Richmond is taken. Ill soldier Tilton Sleeper mentioned...
Show moreTopics include recent battles in Yorktown and Williamsburg, which had significant casualties; the destruction of the C.S.S. Merrimack off the coast of Norfolk, Va., now under Union occupation. McClellan will likely send Vt. troops home once Richmond is taken. Ill soldier Tilton Sleeper mentioned again.
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Title: Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
Description: Topics include camping at Harrison's Landing, Virginia on the James River, makes reference to regiments and companies losing men, the names of men wounded and their injuries in Company D, makes reference to a battle (maybe Battle of Seven Pines [Fair Oaks]??), several officers resigning, the high...
Show moreTopics include camping at Harrison's Landing, Virginia on the James River, makes reference to regiments and companies losing men, the names of men wounded and their injuries in Company D, makes reference to a battle (maybe Battle of Seven Pines [Fair Oaks]??), several officers resigning, the high cost of food, and the slight sickness of Ira Marshall.
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Title: J. Gregory Smith to William C. Holbrook
Description: Topics include a proposal to brigade the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Vermont Regiments and the decision from the War Department in Washington to set a definitive date for the end of the regiments’ term.

Title: John L. T. Jones to William Wirt Henry
Description: 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.

Title: John Lester Barstow Correspondence
Description: John L. Barstow’s letters, most written to his wife Laura, describe camp life at Ship Island, New Orleans, and various locations in the Louisiana countryside, and include comments on the attitudes and conduct of white and black civilians, as well as the leadership of Generals Nathaniel P. Banks,...
Show moreJohn L. Barstow’s letters, most written to his wife Laura, describe camp life at Ship Island, New Orleans, and various locations in the Louisiana countryside, and include comments on the attitudes and conduct of white and black civilians, as well as the leadership of Generals Nathaniel P. Banks, Benjamin F. Butler, and William B. Franklin. Barstow served as brigadier general of Provisional Forces in St. Albans, Vermont, after he left the Eighth Vermont in June 1864. He was elected Governor of Vermont in 1882.
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Title: John Lester Barstow to ?
Description: 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.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Father
Description: 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.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Topics include the battle of Natchitoches and Barstow’s determination to keep his troops prepared for battle, keeping his camp clean, the touching goodbyes of parting regiments.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Topics include anticipation for the wars end, and requesting photos of wife and son.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Writing laying on the ground from Opelousas La. topics include the regiment moving and having an exchange of fire with the rebels, at last receiving letters dated Feb 28th and Mar. 10th, he being a Captain must walk (not ride according to regulations), his feet now sore and blistered, the men who...
Show moreWriting laying on the ground from Opelousas La. topics include the regiment moving and having an exchange of fire with the rebels, at last receiving letters dated Feb 28th and Mar. 10th, he being a Captain must walk (not ride according to regulations), his feet now sore and blistered, the men who were wounded in this exchange, and the regiment's plan to go to the Red River to attack Port Hudson or Vicksburg, regrets the lack of writing paper and pen.
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Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Topics include increasing numbers of sickly soldiers in camp, conditions of the hospital seized by Barstow for the injured, projections for future marching orders.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Topics include taking the railroad to report to Col. Day, preparing to lead forces unsupervised by higher command, false lead on expected fight with two enemy cavalry, village of 3000 set afire by small rebel force, concern for safe return if not given time to rest.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: General Banks supersedes General Butler, the capture of one of the rebel officers, and the dishonorable discharge of Lieutenant Day.

Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Description: Two letters dated Oct 25 and Oct 27 with topics including marching, waiting, more marching, more waiting, lack of food due to road conditions, unable to forage for food, hot days, cold nights, the importance of picket duty, the unpopularity of General William B. Franklin, and the army returning...
Show moreTwo letters dated Oct 25 and Oct 27 with topics including marching, waiting, more marching, more waiting, lack of food due to road conditions, unable to forage for food, hot days, cold nights, the importance of picket duty, the unpopularity of General William B. Franklin, and the army returning to New Iberia, fear that mail may be lost due to capture of wagons by Rebels and fear to send any money by mail.
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