Vermonters in the Civil War

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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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes to reassure his wife that he is unhurt after the Battle of Monocacy on July 9th, and to let her know that he is now in command of a brigade guarding the approach to Washington D.C. at Relay House, Maryland. He also writes that none of the Waterbury men were wounded and that the 14th...
Show moreHenry writes to reassure his wife that he is unhurt after the Battle of Monocacy on July 9th, and to let her know that he is now in command of a brigade guarding the approach to Washington D.C. at Relay House, Maryland. He also writes that none of the Waterbury men were wounded and that the 14th N.J. and the 106th N.Y. lost many of their officers, and that the Rebels outnumbered the Union troops three to one. [Confederate victory]
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Heart broken he not with wife for Thanksgiving, Capt. Dillingham rounding up Marylanders for the draft, a report on the health of several members or the regiment, anxious for letters from home.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Written in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn’t nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells...
Show moreWritten in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn’t nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells fought like a “tiger”, men is good spirits, reflects on Gen. Lee is being defeated.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes of returning from leave and finding his “log cabin” built very snug. He also writes that the weather has been unpleasant and that it is hard adjusting to camp life after being at home. As well he writes that his servant, Johnny, is very pleased with the present he has received from ...
Show moreHenry writes of returning from leave and finding his “log cabin” built very snug. He also writes that the weather has been unpleasant and that it is hard adjusting to camp life after being at home. As well he writes that his servant, Johnny, is very pleased with the present he has received from “Grandma Beebe,” Mary Jane’s mother.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include the poor health of William Henry's sister Katie and the appointment of Acting Major.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes with more details of the killed and wounded in the aftermath of the Battle of Cedar Creek. He repeats his feelings of loss at the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson and Color Sergeant Billy Mahoney. As well he mentions having dinner with Colonel William Wells, who he feels could be...
Show moreHenry writes with more details of the killed and wounded in the aftermath of the Battle of Cedar Creek. He repeats his feelings of loss at the death of Captain Lucian D. Thompson and Color Sergeant Billy Mahoney. As well he mentions having dinner with Colonel William Wells, who he feels could be a brigadier general if he would put his name in. Finally, he writes confidentially to his wife that he is still not recovered from his bilious fever and will be putting in his resignation soon, probably in November.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writes of wanting to go home to see his wife or her coming to the camp in Md., how muddy it is in camp, knows soldiers in the Advance are marching, suffering from cold, rain & mud while he has a comfortable tent, wanting the war to end quickly, the health of the regiment is better, wishing for...
Show moreWrites of wanting to go home to see his wife or her coming to the camp in Md., how muddy it is in camp, knows soldiers in the Advance are marching, suffering from cold, rain & mud while he has a comfortable tent, wanting the war to end quickly, the health of the regiment is better, wishing for more letters from home.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he got wet and cold during a review of the Sixth Corps and so the beginning of the letter is rather curt. He continues the letter after having had supper, warmed up, and begun reading a good book, Alone by Mary Virginia Terhune. He feels that one of the characters talks like him...
Show moreHenry writes that he got wet and cold during a review of the Sixth Corps and so the beginning of the letter is rather curt. He continues the letter after having had supper, warmed up, and begun reading a good book, Alone by Mary Virginia Terhune. He feels that one of the characters talks like him and another like his wife, and will send it on to Mary Jane after he finished it. He also writes that while he is now in command of the Brigade, he hopes Colonel William S. Truax will be reinstated.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter expressing his surprise that Charles L. Beebe passed his physical examination, and his reaction to his father-in-law’s distress over paying for a substitute. As well he discusses the possibility of the his wife buying his father-in-law’s farm in order to raise the money. He then draws a...
Show moreLetter expressing his surprise that Charles L. Beebe passed his physical examination, and his reaction to his father-in-law’s distress over paying for a substitute. As well he discusses the possibility of the his wife buying his father-in-law’s farm in order to raise the money. He then draws a word picture about the destruction faced by many farmers in Maryland, and Pennsylvania when large numbers of troops camp on their farms.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that the mail is not coming, though there is a train every day, and that he is still not feeling very well.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writes as cannon fire shakes the ground in camp, speculates that this a big battle (There was a naval assault on Fort McAllister), reflects on hoping this battle will help end the war, is acting Lt. Col., wonders who might replace him as major, sickness in camp, and family matters including...
Show moreWrites as cannon fire shakes the ground in camp, speculates that this a big battle (There was a naval assault on Fort McAllister), reflects on hoping this battle will help end the war, is acting Lt. Col., wonders who might replace him as major, sickness in camp, and family matters including receiving photographs of his wife.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
October 8, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia. Writes of kindness from Col Stannard, wet weather, grand review of artillery by Genl. McClellan, illness among the men including homesickness and Typhoid Fever, family business.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses snow in camp and delays in moving, diarrhea cures, the Surgeon’s remedy, and those who have been sick. His desire for a box of goods is also mentioned, as well as what to put in it (including food), especially newspapers and magazines for the men in the Hospital. He also...
Show moreLetter discusses snow in camp and delays in moving, diarrhea cures, the Surgeon’s remedy, and those who have been sick. His desire for a box of goods is also mentioned, as well as what to put in it (including food), especially newspapers and magazines for the men in the Hospital. He also discusses his desire that the family stay healthy this year, as opposed to the last.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writing from Camp Bradley (later Camp Holbrook) in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include anxious to see his baby boy, continued anticipation of appointment to Major and as acting Adjutant for 11th Regt.until Mr. Curtis of Burlington arrives.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he is getting along well and that Captain Dillingham and Lieutenant Thompson are both at the Hospital with him. They are all staying with Assistant Surgeon Dr. Rutherford and the Chaplain, Edwin M. Haynes. As well, Henry writes that because of his experience in the Hospital, he...
Show moreHenry writes that he is getting along well and that Captain Dillingham and Lieutenant Thompson are both at the Hospital with him. They are all staying with Assistant Surgeon Dr. Rutherford and the Chaplain, Edwin M. Haynes. As well, Henry writes that because of his experience in the Hospital, he now has a greater appreciation of the Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission, and he asks his wife to give the Sanitary Commission a ten dollar donation.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include Captain Johnson taking command of Company D, the illness of a few men, the possibility of Ned Wells returning home, Henry's side business not doing as well now as the men are out of money to spend, mud prevents drills so men study tactics and go on picket only once every five days.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses potential promotions for Col. Jewett and for himself, military pay, heavy expenses including owed to Sutler Geo Skiff, regiment to be at Poolsville, health of family and children as well as the potential for a visit from his wife. Appreciation for friends and family's help is...
Show moreLetter discusses potential promotions for Col. Jewett and for himself, military pay, heavy expenses including owed to Sutler Geo Skiff, regiment to be at Poolsville, health of family and children as well as the potential for a visit from his wife. Appreciation for friends and family's help is also mentioned, as well as keeping the farm and taking care of elderly parents.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A brief letter stating the probability of falling back instead of moving towards Richmond ; all quiet on the Rapidan River. Money is also discussed, as well as the desire that no questions are asked about it being sent to Father Beebe. Sat on Courts-martial trial.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include reflecting on Katie's death and William Henry being in command of five companies and five miles of the Potomac River along Seneca Creek.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Family matters, acknowledging the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union loss, health of several members of the regiment, and the possibility of an encounter with rebel cavalry, General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, soldiers happy about that, reference to Confederate Elijah V....
Show moreFamily matters, acknowledging the battle of Fredericksburg was a Union loss, health of several members of the regiment, and the possibility of an encounter with rebel cavalry, General McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac, soldiers happy about that, reference to Confederate Elijah V. White's calvary.
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