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 31 - 40 of 1339 Records

Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
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    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
    • Date Created: 1863-08-19
    • Description: Two letters of August 19th and 28th - Reporting for duty in Burlington, telling of his journey, of not having food provided & having to buy his own, of sleeping arrangements, dinner in the barracks at the old fair grounds, of the men being examined for fitness to serve.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


    Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers
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      • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
      • Date Created: 1864-01-01
      • Description: Topics include letters being delayed, the muddy camp in Virginia, winter quarters, inquiring after his brother Albert's schooling, requests a loaf of brown bread, a tin plate & other items, comments on news from home of folks health and passing away.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


      Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers
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        • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
        • Date Created: 1863-14-09
        • Description: A brief letter about the expectation of leaving for Alexandria the next day and a $25 bounty being paid which he will send some home as soon as he feels it is safe to send it.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


        Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother, and Brothers
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          • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
          • Date Created: 1865-05-04
          • Description: Writes from Parole Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida ; states he had been a prisoner at the Confederate prison camp Andersonville, Georgia ; health is not good as he is suffering from scurvy but is eating well now ; mentions the role of the Sanitary Commission ; hope to be home soon ; mentions the assassination of President Lincoln ; he under the care of Dr. Bundy
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


          Bradford Sparrow to Friends
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            • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
            • Date Created: 1863-10-31
            • Description: Writes of Bradford's sickness of "remitant fever", his stay and care in the regimental hospital, of other patients in the hospital having Typhoid fever, requests clothing with specific instructions on just how he wants them made, soap and green tea from home,
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


            Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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              • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
              • Date Created: 1864-02-18
              • Description: Writes of substitute soldiers deserting after being paid, of Mosby assisting the deserters, mentions the Confederate pirate sloop ship the Alabama (documented as being sunk in June 1864) and of photographs (ambrotype), of mail being robbed.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


              Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                • Date Created: 1864-03-27
                • Description: Snowball fights, reference to the bounty vote, mention of a shoemaker in Company E, of his boots, of wanting a pound of sugar sent and remarks on folks at home.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                  • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                  • Date Created: 1863-09-09
                  • Description: Topics include the surprising outcome of an election at home, the hardships faced in camp, and Philip being accepted into the army.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                  Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                    • Date Created: 1863-10-12
                    • Description: Two letters ; Oct 12 and Oct 15 ; topics include retreating from Culpepper to Rappahannock Station, the enemy's closeness, anticipation of a battle, money sent home was received, long marches every day.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                    Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                      • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                      • Date Created: 1865-05-12
                      • Description: Writes of receiving good medical care with plenty of good food, alcohol to drink, health is improving, may be transported to Annapolis, Maryland ; hopes to be home soon ; mentions Gen. Grant may discharge all the hospital boys. Letter head U.S. Christian Commission stationery.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence