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
A short letter written to let his wife know he was arrived back in Virginia and giving news of some of his officers wounded at Winchester and Fisher’s Hill. [Battle of Opequon (Winchester) fought Sept 19th]
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry has put in his resignation under a surgeon’s certificate and that it has passed Division Head Quarters, and he is sure it will pass the Corps Head Quarters. He has preferred charges against Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Chandler, as that was a condition of his officers before they would let...
Show moreHenry has put in his resignation under a surgeon’s certificate and that it has passed Division Head Quarters, and he is sure it will pass the Corps Head Quarters. He has preferred charges against Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Chandler, as that was a condition of his officers before they would let him resign. The rest of the letter contains details of arrangements Henry is making to meet his wife at Astor House in New York City.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes briefly that his papers have not yet come, though General Seymour thinks they will come soon, and that the regiment is now guarding Fort Durham that is near Petersburg, Va..
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Topics include the regiment’s move to Harpers Ferry, his sorrow at leaving the friends he had made while stationed near Poolsville, a description of the terrain around Harpers Ferry, how it reminds him of Vermont, and his feeling of security because of the 100 pound cannons which would allow him...
Show moreTopics include the regiment’s move to Harpers Ferry, his sorrow at leaving the friends he had made while stationed near Poolsville, a description of the terrain around Harpers Ferry, how it reminds him of Vermont, and his feeling of security because of the 100 pound cannons which would allow him to make a good fight.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes that he has had to return to the hospital because he tore up the wound on his hand during a grand charge made by the 10th Vermont the day before. He complains that he and everyone else are very tired because of all the marching and charging they have had to do in such hot weather. He...
Show moreHenry writes that he has had to return to the hospital because he tore up the wound on his hand during a grand charge made by the 10th Vermont the day before. He complains that he and everyone else are very tired because of all the marching and charging they have had to do in such hot weather. He also writes that the 10th Vermont has been given a good position on the left side of the line and hasn’t seen as much hard fighting as the other regiments.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Writing from his camp in the field topics include a brief account of William Henry's day that includes living quarters with Company B, morning hygiene, breakfast, riding his horse to visit a company and give a lecture picket duty, visiting another officer to discuss matters, a good dinner and...
Show moreWriting from his camp in the field topics include a brief account of William Henry's day that includes living quarters with Company B, morning hygiene, breakfast, riding his horse to visit a company and give a lecture picket duty, visiting another officer to discuss matters, a good dinner and ride back to his headquarters. Also inquiries about his family.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
Henry writes of his gratitude for his wife’s patriotic words in her last letter, and that he is pleased with her praise of his courage and hopes he will remain brave. He mentions the Battle of Cold Harbor and that he now has the reputation of a fighting officer, since he led the charge there. He...
Show moreHenry writes of his gratitude for his wife’s patriotic words in her last letter, and that he is pleased with her praise of his courage and hopes he will remain brave. He mentions the Battle of Cold Harbor and that he now has the reputation of a fighting officer, since he led the charge there. He also writes that he is back in command of the regiment again, though his hand is not completely healed, and writes as well of the bravery of the colored troops, which the men call “whitewashed yankees.” At the end of the letter he mentions his sister Delia, who has married a Southern doctor and lives in Kinston, N.C., hoping she can live in peace and has enough to eat.
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William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
On board steamboat, Matilda, writes that he has had to move with the Sixth Corps but does not know destination, did not get his papers in quickly enough and the Sixth Corps surgeon wanted to examine his personally, but he hopes to have his discharge soon.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Title
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Description
The letter discusses the "Old Vermont Brigade" that is camped near the 10th Vermont, and frequent meetings with old friends. The lack of movement of the army and the probability of no campaign in the fall and winter is also discussed, as well as his dislike of the actions of Colonel Jewett in...
Show moreThe letter discusses the "Old Vermont Brigade" that is camped near the 10th Vermont, and frequent meetings with old friends. The lack of movement of the army and the probability of no campaign in the fall and winter is also discussed, as well as his dislike of the actions of Colonel Jewett in terms of his extended time spent in Vermont, leaving all the work to Henry.
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