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 - 10 of 144 Records

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


    Report of property found in the several companies of the 1st Vermont Regiment…
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      • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
      • Date Created: 1861-06-24
      • Description: List compiled by Farnham of items found or stolen from citizens by soldiers during a campaign.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


      Roswell Farnham to ?
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        • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
        • Date Created: 1862-09-22
        • Description: A special order for the Twelfth Regiments to report to Brattleboro.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


        Roswell Farnham to Asa P. Blunt
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          • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
          • Date Created: 1863-03-03
          • Description: Report to Col Asa P. Blunt regarding an inspection of several items including saddles, horses and bugles in the Second Connecticut Battery stationed at Wolf Run Shoals, Virginia stating the unfitness of some horses for duty and the disrepair of two bugles.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


          Roswell Farnham to Ben
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            • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
            • Date Created: 1863-05-07
            • Description: Topics include being 21 miles away from the rest of the brigade, possibility of moving to the Rappahannock thus nearer to Kelly's Ford & the front, reports from Contrabands and refugees of fighting at Gordonville, relates again of the attack by Confederate commander John Singleton Mosby‚Äôs cavalry on Union Cavalry & of his defeat in that fight, of guarding the road so that Gen. Joseph Hooker‚Äôs army can receive supplies, and the rainy weather.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


            Roswell Farnham to C. H. Harding
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              • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
              • Date Created: 1861-05-07
              • Description: Farnham's regiment in Rutland gets the news that they are to leave for Fort Monroe, Va., via rail car and then boat. News of the deployment raises morale; the men are ready for a good fight (recurring theme in Farnham's letters).
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


              Roswell Farnham to Edwin H. Stoughton
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                • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                • Date Created: 1863-01-12
                • Description: Writing from camp near Fairfax, Virginia to Brig. Gen. Stoughton this report includes placement of various troops including the 12th Vt. Vol. Militia regiment moving to the stone bridge, the passing of two bodies of cavalry, and a picket in the rear to look out for rebels.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                Roswell Farnham to Frederick Holbrook
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                  • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                  • Date Created: 1863-03-10
                  • Description: To the Governor of Vermont, Frederick Holbrook regarding names recommended for promotions, reporting Colonel Blunt at Fairfax Station, and the capture of General Stoughton.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                  Roswell Farnham to Laura
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                    • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                    • Date Created: 1863-04-12
                    • Description: Topics include the good times the officers' wives are having in camp, the watching of the Guard Mounting, Picket Guard Mounting, battery practice and regiment drill, ladies sent to Alexandria as orders received that the whole brigade is to move and information about Cyrus‚Äô death and belongings.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                    Roswell Farnham to Laura
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                      • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                      • Date Created: 1863-02-01
                      • Description: Letter includes two drawings, one of a stockaded tent the soldiers have done and one of Farnham's cabin, all at Wolf Run Shoals, Va., a description of camp life and conditions, his sister Mary‚Äôs visit to camp, the mud and snow, and reconsidering sending money home to repay debts.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence