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 - 5 of 5 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


    Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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      • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
      • Date Created: 1861-06-20
      • Description: June 20, 1861. Topics include setting rumors straight. Farnham assures his wife that his chances of being killed are minimal. Notes that his provost marshal duties have lessened, possibly because fewer "negroes" are arriving, for fear that the North won't succeed! Reference to Dan Johnson and his rumors; also the secret why he returned home. Compliments for Capt. Andross, again, during Battle of Big (or Great) Bethel.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


      Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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        • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
        • Date Created: 1861-06-19
        • Description: Topics include his concern about anxiety at home after the Battle of Big Bethel; Farnham's desire to save his letters; domestic financial affairs; names of men in the hospital, and one death (Ph. Lougee); Maj. Worthen has a servant, a young black boy named Pompey Wind.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


        Unidentified Map
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          • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
          • Description: Map that shows major landmarks such as Fortress Monroe, Hampton, and Camp Butler on the James River; and sites having to do with the Battle of Big Bethel, e.g. Big & Little Bethel (meeting houses), "Battlefield," and "Collision between U.S. forces," just south of Little Bethel.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


          Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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            • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
            • Date Created: 1861-06-16
            • Description: June 16, 1861. Barney writes from Newport News, Virginia an account of the Battle of Big Bethel including battle casualties, men sent out to look for cattle, illness among the men, soldiers tired to camp life, the arrival of food sent from home some of which was in good condition such as cheese, dried apples and maple sugar with some not.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence