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 48 Records
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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- Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
- Date Created: 1861-07-28
- Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837.
- Date Created: 1861-11-?
- Description: Writes of Brigade drill under General Smith, picket duty, prospect of detachment from brigade to go south, much illness among the men including a case of small pox, upcoming promotion of Lt. Crossman, cold weather, upcoming grand review by General McClellan.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Charles F. Bancroft to Family
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- 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 Smiley Bancroft
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- 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
Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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- Creator: White, Daniel S., 1837-1912.
- Date Created: 1864-03-31
- Description: He writes of the return to Vermont of his wife’s brother, Oramel G. Howe, of sending her a can of milk, as well as other items, going to Brandy Station on business, having drill practice and of witnessing a horse race in which $1000 was the prize.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Daniel S. White Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
George J. Stannard to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Stannard, George J., 1820-1886.
- Date Created: 1862-01-07
- Description: Topics include inquiring after William Henry's health, the sickness in the regiment, and a brief description of drills and picket duty and makes mention of not being promoted, states Capt Dillingham to be promoted.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
George W. Quimby to Tucker
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- Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1862-04-25
- Description: Topics include the location of the company and a brief account of the battle of Lee's Mill. Also a comment about one legislator "Morrels" (Justin Morrill?) stating that Gen. William Smith was drunk. A summary of promotions.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, George W. Quimby Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
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- Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
- Date Created: 1861-10-12
- Description: Topics include advancing on the Rebels to Prospect Hill, a battle at Hatteras Inlet where the Rebels lost many men, and two Rebels at Camp Advance that were taken prisoners. Reference to Gen. Scott, to Bull Run, to plenty of chestnuts available to eat. Also mentions the opinion that many believe the war will be short (six months)
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Henry L. Terry to John W. Campbell
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- Creator: Terry, Henry L., 1820-1885.
- Date Created: 1861-10-21
- Description: Topics include encamping at Lee's Mill, twelve miles from Washington, close to the Rebels.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John W. Campbell correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1861-10-8
- Description: Writes of good postal service on letter delivery, of Sargent Charley Reed, of Captain Altherton, of wanting a photograph of Homer, general good health of the men, a heavy rain storm that flooded his tent, of going out on Battalion drill.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War