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
Letter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how...
Show moreLetter describes an attack on the 6th Michigan Cavalry, the response of the 10th Vermont, and the arrival of reinforcements. Henry uses the verb "skedaddled" in its original context: Union soldiers describing the fleeing of Confederate soldiers. He also expresses some of the typical bravado, how the men were "fighting mad" and ready to fight so as to earn a good report.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses guarding a railroad bridge, while the Second Brigade is heading for a big battle (the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3 part of the Gettysburg Campaign). He also mentions that all the officers’ wives were returning home to Vermont.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include William Henry's arrival at Camp Griffin, Virginia ; the men petitioning for Lt. Henry to be their captain ; mentions not yet receiving Elixir yet but has high hopes of sell a lot of it.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Brief letter stating receiving a letter from his wife with photographs, his being promoted to lieutenant colonel, and hearing fighting in the distance.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Brief letter stating he has been in charge of the Regiment since the Colonel is gone to Washington to get his wife, Henry camped 13 miles from Washington to which he will go to get money and request a furlough to be home for Thanksgiving.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses the new location of the army, and the movement of the enemy across the Rapidan River as they retreat to their entrenchments. He also speculates on whether they have reached winter quarters as the area is good for such with wood and water available, as well as the hope of...
Show moreLetter discusses the new location of the army, and the movement of the enemy across the Rapidan River as they retreat to their entrenchments. He also speculates on whether they have reached winter quarters as the area is good for such with wood and water available, as well as the hope of receiving a leave of absence.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A very short note stating he will send recent photographs of himself home for wife to distribute as she see fit, photo negative exists and more photos can be made if desired, reference to Capt. Dillingham and letter from Sister Katie Parker.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and...
Show moreHenry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and to ignore the papers that reported his death or that he was wounded in the head.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he was extremely happy getting a letter from his wife, and that he is glad her “little difficulties” were better. He mentions speaking with Captain Frost about Frost's visit to Waterbury, and that Colonel Jewett is talking about resigning again.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes with plans to have his wife come down to Brandy Station, and lists all the wives that are currently there and that are coming, as well as all the activities he has planned for her. He has written for permission for her to come and confesses that the impetus for her visit was a grand...
Show moreHenry writes with plans to have his wife come down to Brandy Station, and lists all the wives that are currently there and that are coming, as well as all the activities he has planned for her. He has written for permission for her to come and confesses that the impetus for her visit was a grand dance at which there were over 400 officers and only 40 women. As well, he writes that he is lonesome.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried...
Show moreHenry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried to raid Union wagons near Fredericksburg but was repulsed. Henry describes laying in the rifle pit, writing this letter while shots are going over his head, and mentions that he was shot at the night before, “but the fellow must have been a very poor shot...”
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
A very brief letter from Camp Washburn topics include inquiries after the well being of his baby boy and the anticipated promotion to Major.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include a travel route planned to return home via Annapolis, Brattleboro and maybe even Burlington, the capture of 18 Rebel prisoners near Fairfax, and the hope of one of the wounded prisoners, a Virginian, to retake the oath to become a citizen of the United States again, reference to a...
Show moreTopics include a travel route planned to return home via Annapolis, Brattleboro and maybe even Burlington, the capture of 18 Rebel prisoners near Fairfax, and the hope of one of the wounded prisoners, a Virginian, to retake the oath to become a citizen of the United States again, reference to a Flag of Truce to send a letter to the Confederate Army, his side business doing poorly as the men have expected orders to move and the Sutlers not buying for the same reason.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter written to Colonel Henry by two of his officers, Lieutenant Daniel Foster and Captain Henry H. Dewey, giving him news of the 10th Regiment while Henry is home on sick leave. Includes names of men sick, military drill daily schedules, 2nd Division out on reconnaissance with some fighting
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he was Division officer and out reviewing pickets since January 15, which he found tiresome and hopes will not occur again soon. He expects a visit from Governor John Gregory Smith and the Vermont Congressional delegation, which would occasion a grand review if the mud isn’t too...
Show moreHenry writes that he was Division officer and out reviewing pickets since January 15, which he found tiresome and hopes will not occur again soon. He expects a visit from Governor John Gregory Smith and the Vermont Congressional delegation, which would occasion a grand review if the mud isn’t too bad. He also writes that 2nd Lieutenant Justin Carter behaved badly while on leave and will probably be put up on charges when he gets back to the regiment.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that Brigade Commander Colonel William Emerson is on leave and Henry is now in command of the Brigade. It appears they are now in winter quarters and Henry writes that he does not feel it is safe for his wife to visit this camp, as the railroads are being torn up by “guerillas” and...
Show moreHenry writes that Brigade Commander Colonel William Emerson is on leave and Henry is now in command of the Brigade. It appears they are now in winter quarters and Henry writes that he does not feel it is safe for his wife to visit this camp, as the railroads are being torn up by “guerillas” and trains are being captured. He then discusses when or whether he will resign, since Col. Truax in under arrest, depending on the resignation of Colonel Emerson and the possibility that Henry might command the Brigade.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Letter discusses being paid, Paymaster, sending more money home as well as the desire to have all monies he has sent to his wife accounted for, mentions his "boy" Johnny (assistant/attendant). The prospect of buying sheep, health of family members, "fifth corps" entrenched across the river,...
Show moreLetter discusses being paid, Paymaster, sending more money home as well as the desire to have all monies he has sent to his wife accounted for, mentions his "boy" Johnny (assistant/attendant). The prospect of buying sheep, health of family members, "fifth corps" entrenched across the river, General Morris, may hear of the fall of Charleston soon, some men suffering from diarrhea, the potential movement of the Army of the Potomac.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away...
Show moreHenry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away from Petersburg.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Reflects on God's will regarding his children, Rebel cavalry movements, Union scouts were thought to be Rebels, a cow disturbing a picket guard and rousing the camp, the general despondency of the army and the worsening of the war if slaves enter the fighting turning on their masters. He also...
Show moreReflects on God's will regarding his children, Rebel cavalry movements, Union scouts were thought to be Rebels, a cow disturbing a picket guard and rousing the camp, the general despondency of the army and the worsening of the war if slaves enter the fighting turning on their masters. He also writes of his hopes of being promoted to colonel of the 10th Vermont.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Change of camp location to Monocacy, letters in the mail not catching up with him, getting a new servant named Johnny Cole of Walden, Vt., having Christmas dinner with a local citizen named Trundell a Southerner (perhaps same as Mr. Trundle that Joseph Rutherford helped heal) but who wishes good...
Show moreChange of camp location to Monocacy, letters in the mail not catching up with him, getting a new servant named Johnny Cole of Walden, Vt., having Christmas dinner with a local citizen named Trundell a Southerner (perhaps same as Mr. Trundle that Joseph Rutherford helped heal) but who wishes good relations with Union so his chickens & loose property will not be stolen), a slave (contraband) coming into camp & taken as a servant to the Lieut, speculation on who will command the brigade, and that he is in good health.
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