Vermonters in the Civil War

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.

Showing 1 - 25 of 1339 Records

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    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
    • Date Created: ?
    • Description: Letter No. 23 pages missing ; date & location known ; preserved here is him writing of news of health issues of folks at home, of wanting to hear the results of a town meeting regarding bounty (system used as an incentive to increase enlistments), of Heaton's auction, of his weight being 149 pounds.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


    ? to Father
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      • Date Created: 1863-02-26
      • Description: Unsigned letter to his father with topics including Col Farnham's horses being sick but getting better ; the variable weather, how people can make do with few conveniences, Mr. Peach the cook, the food that is available in camp ; the dark looks the southerners give the soldiers, his negative opinion of the white southerners, mentioning writing to Henry, Laura and hoping to see Zeke.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


      ? to Lorenzo Thomas
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        • Date Created: 1862-08-30
        • Description: Topics include the request to inquire after statements made by the Major General, and a request for an investigation of the Battle of Baton Rouge by a court of inquiry.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence


        A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
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          • Creator: Jackman, A.
          • Date Created: 1861-05-01
          • Description: Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence


          A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
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            • Creator: Browne, A. G.
            • Date Created: 1861-10-29
            • Description: Topics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the battle of the 21st near Leesburg and flags of truce.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence


            Albert A. May to Friend
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              • Creator: May, Albert A.
              • Date Created: 1861-10-08
              • Description: Writes from Marcy Camp Advanced in Northeastern Virginia of injuries and death sustained in a "Skermisher" due to confusion among the men and friendly fire, mentions 4th and 5th regiments also camped in the area.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Albert A. May Correspondence


              Albert A. May to Friends
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                • Creator: May, Albert A.
                • Date Created: 1863-03-09
                • Description: Writing from White Oak Church, Bell Plains, Va. topics include being in good health, the warm spring weather, a year since the Army of the Potomac started their summer campaign, the army in good spirits, hoping that the 2nd Vt. will be lucky and be sent home, and the prediction that May only has fifteen months left in the service.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Albert A. May Correspondence


                Albert B. Jewett to William Wirt Henry
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                  • Creator: Jewett, Albert B., 1829-1887.
                  • Date Created: 1863-02-02
                  • Description: Letter discussing Jewett‚Äôs possible promotion to Brigadier General (as Jewett's name is on a list for promotions) and Jewett willing to help get a staff position for Gov. Dillingham's son if Jewett is promoted.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


                  Alfred H. Keith to John Lester Barstow
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                    • Creator: Keith, Alfred H.
                    • Date Created: 1865-01-04
                    • Description: Topics include being relieved from duties, money.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence


                    Asa P. Blunt
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                      • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                      • Date Created: 1863-04-06
                      • Description: A pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington to return in 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commanding 2nd Brigade Casey's Division.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                      Asa P. Blunt
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                        • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                        • Date Created: 1863-04-15
                        • Description: Pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington for 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commander of Brigade ; extended 48 hours by Maj. Genl. Heintzelman.
                        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                        Asa P. Blunt
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                          • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                          • Date Created: 1863-02-12
                          • Description: A pass for Lt. Col. Roswell Farnham, G. G. Benedict, and Mary Farnham to go to Washington signed by Asa P. Blunt, Col. Commanding at Wolf Run Shoals, Va.
                          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                          Asa P. Blunt
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                            • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                            • Date Created: 1863-04-11
                            • Description: A pass for Mary Farnham, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Vaughan, and Mrs. Peach to go to Washington.
                            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                            Asa P. Blunt to E. Mason
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                              • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                              • Description: Topics include the questioning of G. Mason‚Äôs loyalty to the United States government by Col. Blunt, denial of protection Mason has requested, the suggestion that Mason take the oath of allegiance to the U.S. or suffer the consequences of possible destruction of property.
                              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                              Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham
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                                • Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
                                • Date Created: 1862-10-13
                                • Description: Topics include a pass allowing Roswell Farnham to and from Washington D.C.
                                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                                Battle of Big Bethal, Va June 10th, 1861
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                                  • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                                  • Description: Topics include a map that shows various maneuvers of Farnham's company; inaccuracies in the newspaper account of the Battle of Big Bethel; and various ailments, aches & pains endured during the march.
                                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                                  Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott Phelps
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                                    • Creator: Butler, Benjamin F.
                                    • Date Created: 1861-07-16
                                    • Description: Topics include the summoning of Roys Nicholas Colbert and Charles Stepheny to Command General Benjamin F. Butler.
                                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                                    Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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                                      • Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
                                      • Date Created: 1861-10-29
                                      • Description: Topics include the policy of the war department to not allow anyone to go home regardless of their circumstances,enquiries about home, Parmenter's growing disillusion with the Army, and a discussion about "the Southern confederacy is a fixed fact."
                                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter


                                      Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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                                        • Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
                                        • Date Created: 1861-08-08
                                        • Description: Topics include the regiment being located at Bush Hill Camp, rumors that they may join up with another brigade, more discussion of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, Parmenter's low opinions of the regiments officers,and his disappointment in the treatment of the soldiers.
                                        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter


                                        Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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                                          • Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
                                          • Date Created: 1861-07-10
                                          • Description: Topics include the regiment moving to Virginia.
                                          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter


                                          Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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                                            • Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
                                            • Date Created: 1861-07-28
                                            • Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
                                            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter


                                            Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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                                              • Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
                                              • Date Created: 1861-10-12
                                              • Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's hospital stay and him enlisting his brother to take care of things at home.
                                              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter


                                              Bird's-Eye View of Fortress Monroe Virginia
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                                                • Description: MAP
                                                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                                                Bradford Sparrow to ?
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                                                  • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                                                  • Date Created: ?
                                                  • Description: A copy of an official document by Private Bradford P. Sparrow stating his military service and is an application to recover military pay due him.
                                                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                                                  Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
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                                                    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                                                    • Date Created: 1864-03-09
                                                    • Description: Writes to his father of regulations required in reporting money sent through the mail not being received so that in case the situation arises a claim can be submitted ; of wanting to know what auction items were bought, of sugaring season soon in Vermont, of wet, rainy weather in Virginia.
                                                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence