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 14 Records
Charles F. Bancroft to Clarissa Bancroft
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-01-11
- Description: Topics include the illness of Ephraim D. Dutton and the treatment he is getting from Bancroft, who is watching over Dutton. Bancroft thinks he'll recover when taken to a hospital. Fever, dysentery, lung ailments are compounded by homesickness, according to Bancroft. B. asks for sausage, cayenne pepper, and brandy from home. Mentions daguerreotype of "that little schoolmarm" and the problem of blue eyes. Final request: burn this letter after you read it! "Chain Bridge" refers to a site near Washington, D.C.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Clarissa Bancroft
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-01-06
- Description: Topics include the snowy weather and a brief description of George Blenkoe, the Confederate master of a "secesh (secessionist) negro," who had been recently brought into camp from Vienna, Va. Description of some Confederate money. Bancroft mentions his own modest weight gain, his need for pockets and other domestic items. One esp. moving line: "God only knows when we shall see each other again but let us hope for the best & that another year will bring us all to the family fireside again."
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Clarissa Bancroft
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-01-15
- Description: Topics include drills, a prediction that the fighting will end by June, and inquiries about home. In addition to myriad details regarding weather, food, and correspondence, Bancroft inserts thoughtful questions, e.g.: "Clara do folks in our neighborhood manifest much interest in my being out here? do they seem to care a great deal about it?" He also refers to the lull in fighting--and resulting boredom-- that precedes Lincoln's general order of Jan. 27 for federal armies to advance.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Family
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., d. 1862.
- Date Created: 1862-04-06
- Description: Topics include taking possession of Shelman's Mill, the men killed and wounded by the Rebels, and an account of brief skirmishes. Bancroft describes abandoned Rebel fortifications and odd items left behind. Senses that greater fighting is about to begin, and indeed, the so-called siege of Yorktown, Va. dates from this period. In a lighter moment, Bancroft expresses his gratitude for the green tea he received from home: "there is nothing better for a soldier on a march than a cup of tea."
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Family
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-10-06
- Description: Topics include anticipation of a battle in Virginia and requests for some items from home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Family
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-11-16
- Description: Topics include the number of men who have either died or are sick in the regiment, the success at Port Royal, and the arrest of the Confederate Ministers to Europe, Mason and Slidell.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Mary Bancroft
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-02-16
- Description: Topics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident as a soldier (enjoys picketing) and is certain he could serve another two years if asked.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Parents
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-02-02
- Description: Topics include reminiscences of church meetings in Vt., stimulated by his attendance of them at camp; how much he enjoys the supplies (footwear, clothing, food, brandy) from home; some medical treatment that was improved with brandy; his appreciation of family and home; a few words about postal delivery; and a map of the South he plans to give to his father. -- Because of winter, the war has slackened off a bit. Lincoln is still trying to force McClellan to act.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Smiley Bancroft
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-12-31
- Description: Topics include picket guard, description of camp life, and a prediction of the future of the war.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to [Family]
-
Image nop
- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-10-02
- Description: Topics include setting up a choir at camp and organizing the sale of Vermont butter.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War