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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Miniature of A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
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
    Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
    Miniature of A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
    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
      Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
      Miniature of E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
      E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
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        • Creator: Morse, E. A.
        • Date Created: 1861-08-22
        • Description: Topics include rations for the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia for May 23rd to August 8th, processing routine, the offering of the position of Quartermaster in the 4th Vermont Regiment, writer's decline of the position.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
        Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
        Miniature of E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
        E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
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          • Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
          • Date Created: 1863-03-14
          • Description: Hitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a Brattleboro newspaper (title unknown); a new "conscript act" (Conscription Act: passed by the Union in late February and signed by Lincoln in March, 1863); preparations for summer and the anticipation of a large shipment of ice; officers busy with a Court Martial; and the continued good health of the regiment.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
          Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
          Miniature of E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
          E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
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            • Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
            • Date Created: 1863-03-02
            • Description: Topics include camping outside of Fort Pickens at Camp Stoughton, the good health of the regiment, the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the ungentleman-like ways the officers act. Hitchcock's mood is fairly upbeat but realistic: predicting the end of the war is difficult; a long expected attack on the island never occurred (indicating a fault in intelligence?); army life is good, but he hopes Phelps can find a better situation for him. Hitchcock mentions the "negro regiment" in charge of Ship Island.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
            Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
            Miniature of Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
            Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
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              • Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus.
              • Date Created: 1861-07-29
              • Description: Letter from Vt. House Rep. Erastus Fairbanks writing about the storage of military equipment that has not otherwise been disposed of at Fort Monroe, Va., mentions loss of supplies by the 2nd Regiment at Manassas.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
              Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
              Miniature of Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
              Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
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                • Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus.
                • Date Created: 1862-09-23
                • Description: Topics include the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment and the lack of newspaper coverage of the Regiment's positive attributes. The battles in Maryland would include Antietam Creek, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Fairbanks also mentions a rumor of Phelps's resignation, which had indeed occurred in August, 1862. Some thoughts about slavery, government, and the Constitution.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
                Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
                Miniature of Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks
                Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks
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                  • Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus.
                  • Date Created: 1861-06-04
                  • Description: First letter is from Governor Erastus Fairbanks writing from St Johnsbury, Vt. Topic includes scandalous reports of officers in the 1st Regiment regarding the neglect of sick soldiers by the surgeon and assistant surgeon in military hospital. Second letter to the Gov. from Danl. Roberts writes of the sources of the reports and that the matter requires investigation.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
                  Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
                  Miniature of Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
                  Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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                    • Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
                    • Date Created: 1861-11-29
                    • Description: Topics include Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' commanding Butler's New England Division and inviting Frederick Holbrook's son William to be his Aid-de-Camp. Mention of 7th Vermont Regiment (the old 1st reorganized) also being attached to Butler, of Lt. Roberts being given Colonelcy of the 7th, of Major Kimball of the New Jersey 9th for Lt. Col. of the 8th Regiment, reference to Thanksgiving Proclamation.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
                    Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
                    Miniature of Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
                    Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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                      • Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
                      • Date Created: 1861-08-10
                      • Description: Topics include Frederick Holbrook requesting that his son William be under General John Wolcott Phelps' command in the position of Aid, Secretary or of some type of assistant.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
                      Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War