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.

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Showing 1 - 10 of 139 Records

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Gov. J. Gregory Smith

William Wirt Henry to Gov. J. Gregory Smith

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1864-05-20
Description: Strongly worded letter written to Governor Smith protesting his censuring of Henry for lack of discipline in the 10th Vermont, due to the complaints of Major Chandler over the promotion of Captain Frost. Henry writes that he believes the 10th Vermont is very disciplined and that the Governor‚Äôs action in not sending commissions has harmed that discipline. He also states that the 10th Vermont has been under fire continuously and has done it‚Äôs duty well. Reference to Col. Jewett, Capt Dillingham Henry writes this letter while lying in a rifle pit, 1,000 yards from the Confederate forces.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to James Edwin Henry

William Wirt Henry to James Edwin Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-09-11
Description: Quiet now, no action, just picket and drill. Also this letter to his brother, James Edwin Henry, discusses an advertisement for a patent medicine sold by his business in Vermont that is causing problems for their surgeon Dr. Willard A. Childe, and asking that the advertisement be removed. He also writes of a soldier named Justin (possibly Justin Carter), the difficulty he has had in keeping him from being cashiered and of praise from General Meade.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-01-27
Description: Letter giving details some of camp life, and activities while at winter quarters. Discusses dinner with Mr. Trundell, a prominent Maryland family, news concerning friends, family and plans for Mary Jane to come visit.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1861-10-12
Description: Writes from Camp Griffin near Lewinsville about eating too many chestnuts that made him sick, of family business, of having had enough war and ready to go home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-09-11
Description: Writing from Camp Chase, Va. topics include the death of Henry's sister Katie and the journey to Camp from Brattleboro, aboard the train to New Haven, on the steamer Continental to New York, on to Philadelphia and then to Baltimore and finally Washington, D.C. and on to his camp just beyond Fairfax, Va.under the command of Brig. Gen. Briggs of MA
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-10-17
Description: Writes of his religious faith, of his wife's "hour of trouble", the regiment being under a new general (Brigadier General Cuvier Grover, III Corps, Army of the Potomac), the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Edson and the likely promotion of himself from Major to Lt. Col.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1861-10-08
Description: October 8, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia near Chain Bridge. Writes of family business, men to camp for the winter a little south of Virginia, desire to be Quartermaster.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-09-01
Description: Topics include the continued sickness of Katie, being mustered into the United States Service, and the commission as Major of the 10th Regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-09-10
Description: Written in the field, letter discusses General Morris‚Äô leave of absence, which would leave Major Henry in charge of the Brigade as ranking officer, as well as the possible quick return of Colonel Jewett when he finds out that he would be in command of the Brigade.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-09-14
Description: Letter discusses his being appointed Division Officer of the Day, of fighting with cannon fire being heard, of indifference to it, the questionable behavior of Colonel A. B. Jewett, complains Jewett becomes ill whenever difficulties arise and Henry has to do the work, requests that the information provided remain confidential. The arrival of the paymaster with intention of sending money home soon, as well as the behavior of Justin (possibly Justin Carter).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War