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.

Show less

Sub-collections

More...

Details

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.

Sort

Title
Date

Search

(281 - 300 of 1,369)

Pages

Title: Joseph L. Perkins Correspondence
Description: Joseph L. Perkins was a University of Vermont student when he enlisted in Barre on May 2, 1861. He was private in Company H. of the 1st Vermont Infantry. Perkins married Abbie J. Peck on November 8, 1862 and returned to the University of Vermont where he graduated from the Medical College in 1867...
Show moreJoseph L. Perkins was a University of Vermont student when he enlisted in Barre on May 2, 1861. He was private in Company H. of the 1st Vermont Infantry. Perkins married Abbie J. Peck on November 8, 1862 and returned to the University of Vermont where he graduated from the Medical College in 1867. He later became a dentist with a practice in St. Johnsbury. In his letter, Perkins reflects on the Constitution as well as women's equality with men.
Show less

Title: Joseph L. Perkins to Brother
Description: Topics include a discussion of Liberty and the Constitution and one of women's equality with men.

Title: Joseph Legar to John Wolcott Phelps
Description: Topics include trying to save Isaac Jones' property.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include description troop formations and breast work fortifications, of the ten-mile line of troops, desire to build shelter for winter but uncertain weather there will be another relocating march, his feelings about a cavalry promotion, and discussion over the location of a soldier's body...
Show moreTopics include description troop formations and breast work fortifications, of the ten-mile line of troops, desire to build shelter for winter but uncertain weather there will be another relocating march, his feelings about a cavalry promotion, and discussion over the location of a soldier's body and burial site; the visit from a wounded soldier's wife about her husband's health after Rutherford amputated his arm (Battle of Cedar Creek, Oct 19).
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Rutherford writes of the illness of the his assistant surgeon, Dr. Clarke, of his own excellent health, and all he is enjoying at camp including a hive of bees. He writes of fresh meat, fowl and fruit available to eat, of a companion dog and of his horse he admires so much. He speaks of the...
Show moreRutherford writes of the illness of the his assistant surgeon, Dr. Clarke, of his own excellent health, and all he is enjoying at camp including a hive of bees. He writes of fresh meat, fowl and fruit available to eat, of a companion dog and of his horse he admires so much. He speaks of the difference in military medical care of the soldiers and notes how the care results in more or fewer sick soldiers and of deaths.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Writing from camp in the field near Sulphur Springs, Virginia topics include reference to postal service, the sickness of a couple of men, the good health of Rutherford in spite of the lack of food, his encounter with a swarm of wild bees, not suffering from his rheumatism as in the past,...
Show moreWriting from camp in the field near Sulphur Springs, Virginia topics include reference to postal service, the sickness of a couple of men, the good health of Rutherford in spite of the lack of food, his encounter with a swarm of wild bees, not suffering from his rheumatism as in the past, reference to lice as grey backs and the hope that he will receive the promotion.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: A brief letter with topics including references to two battles with no casualties of the troops, encamping on J. Minor Botts’ farm, hardships camping in the field with cold weather, military pay expected and Rutherford’s good health.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Very brief letter stating having been paid a day prior and inclusion of $20 with this letter with more to follow in the days to come.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include various men going home on leave including Chaplain, Capt. Bartlett & Lt. Gale, a ball attended by staff officers and their wives, going to army headquarters, sending money home, all wives ordered to leave camps as soon as they can and reference to appointment of Joseph Daggett as...
Show moreTopics include various men going home on leave including Chaplain, Capt. Bartlett & Lt. Gale, a ball attended by staff officers and their wives, going to army headquarters, sending money home, all wives ordered to leave camps as soon as they can and reference to appointment of Joseph Daggett as 1st Lt (and Regimental Quartermaster of the 43rd U.S. Colored Infantry) to a Negro regiment, has written a newspaper article for the Newport News, came down with a case of the measles, many soldiers dying from diarrhea.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Rutherford receives the promotion to Surgeon of the 17th Regiment ; notice to be printed in the New York Herald ; anticipation of stillness being soon broken and his skills as a surgeon being needed ; includes a brief personal letter for his daughter Kittie.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Rutherford writes of the regiment's movement to Camp Grove Offults Cup, Maryland. Also of his contempt for soldiers who want to shirk their military duties, of how well the truly sick soldiers are cared for in the hospital, and a slanderous report written about the Surgeon which Rutherford firmly...
Show moreRutherford writes of the regiment's movement to Camp Grove Offults Cup, Maryland. Also of his contempt for soldiers who want to shirk their military duties, of how well the truly sick soldiers are cared for in the hospital, and a slanderous report written about the Surgeon which Rutherford firmly denies, gives his side of the story including military discipline and an account of who a man named Murk who is responsible for the false report.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include the progress being made on the house, military pay slow in being received, the children's bad reactions to a vaccination with suggestion for treatment, follow up visits to Mr. Trundle with his erysipelas, a big dinner in camp with the officers including Col. Jewett, the men...
Show moreTopics include the progress being made on the house, military pay slow in being received, the children's bad reactions to a vaccination with suggestion for treatment, follow up visits to Mr. Trundle with his erysipelas, a big dinner in camp with the officers including Col. Jewett, the men practice shooting a new rifle received in camp with targets being cattle grazing across the river owned by the Secessionists and a flock to ducks.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Still under marching orders topics include a request for some winter shirts, the possibility of letting (renting) the land at home, and a description of the type of man who would not fight for his country.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: From in the field topics include Rutherford's friends at home worrying about him, the lack of opportunity for promotion in the regiment at this time, the position of "Salter" mentioned (procurer of salt, a maker of and dealer in salt, a drysalter?), and the method for treating typhoid fever,...
Show moreFrom in the field topics include Rutherford's friends at home worrying about him, the lack of opportunity for promotion in the regiment at this time, the position of "Salter" mentioned (procurer of salt, a maker of and dealer in salt, a drysalter?), and the method for treating typhoid fever, diarrhea among the sick men, looking on the bright side dealing with adversities of camp life.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include a his experiences on November 27th in the Battle of Mine Run that took place near Locust Grove (Orange County, Virginia), meager food for Thanksgiving meal, marching to the forest known as the "Wilderness", the way in which the wounded were cared for, praise for Capt. Steele and...
Show moreTopics include a his experiences on November 27th in the Battle of Mine Run that took place near Locust Grove (Orange County, Virginia), meager food for Thanksgiving meal, marching to the forest known as the "Wilderness", the way in which the wounded were cared for, praise for Capt. Steele and the service all the men did for their country.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include having a difficult march in the rain, being in charge of the Ambulance train, pursuing shelter for the sick men, taking possession of the "Wallack Mansion" for the men & having made it into a General Hospital, having to destroy his Indian blankets along with other goods last June...
Show moreTopics include having a difficult march in the rain, being in charge of the Ambulance train, pursuing shelter for the sick men, taking possession of the "Wallack Mansion" for the men & having made it into a General Hospital, having to destroy his Indian blankets along with other goods last June when leaving Harpers Ferry, Dr. Smith (asst surgeon) resigned due to his wife's insistence that he return home, a guess as to when the war might be over, the pleasure of having greens to dine on and the good health of the children.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Topics include relief that the children are well, Hannah attending a Sugar party, discussion about military pay, gift of a maple cake from a sick soldier he attended, of a news article written by Rutherford entitled "Relation between Citizen and Soldier.

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Rutherford writes to wife, Hannnah,about the regiment's movement to his camp at Seneca Creek in Maryland. Topics include what was involved in the moving of the troops at night, the baggage he carried on horseback, his pride for his mare, of feeling proud to serve his country in time of need, of...
Show moreRutherford writes to wife, Hannnah,about the regiment's movement to his camp at Seneca Creek in Maryland. Topics include what was involved in the moving of the troops at night, the baggage he carried on horseback, his pride for his mare, of feeling proud to serve his country in time of need, of him being put in charge of building of a hospital to be named after him and called the Rutherford Hospital.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Two letters dated April 10 and 11 topics include the possibility of moving to Poolesville due to weather, reference back to the man named Pleasants sentenced to prison and hard labor for harboring the enemy, the arrest and conviction of the hospital steward for stealing from the dead, and the few...
Show moreTwo letters dated April 10 and 11 topics include the possibility of moving to Poolesville due to weather, reference back to the man named Pleasants sentenced to prison and hard labor for harboring the enemy, the arrest and conviction of the hospital steward for stealing from the dead, and the few number of men who are sick in the regiment compared to other regiments, sudden preparations for going into the field with possibility of engaging the enemy.
Show less

Title: Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
Description: Rutherford outraged and writes of debts owed for services provided by Clough.

THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LIBRARIES

Digital Collections

Vermonters in the Civil War

Collection Overview

Sub-collections

Lesson Plans

Sort

Search

Pages

Pages

Bookmark

Bookmarks: