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 294 Records

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    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
    • Date Created: ?
    • Description: Letter No. 23 pages missing ; date & location known ; preserved here is him writing of news of health issues of folks at home, of wanting to hear the results of a town meeting regarding bounty (system used as an incentive to increase enlistments), of Heaton's auction, of his weight being 149 pounds.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


    Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers
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      • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
      • Date Created: 1864-01-01
      • Description: Topics include letters being delayed, the muddy camp in Virginia, winter quarters, inquiring after his brother Albert's schooling, requests a loaf of brown bread, a tin plate & other items, comments on news from home of folks health and passing away.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


      Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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        • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
        • Date Created: 1864-03-27
        • Description: Snowball fights, reference to the bounty vote, mention of a shoemaker in Company E, of his boots, of wanting a pound of sugar sent and remarks on folks at home.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


        Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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          • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
          • Date Created: 1865-05-22
          • Description: Writes from the General Hospital in South Carolina of his hopes to be discharged soon and be home by mid June, has a job in the dining room setting table, etc. & feels it is good for his health. Thinks of his parents and hopes they have not worried over his having been taken prisoner & mentions the other folks at home. Letter head United States Sanitary Commission, N. E. Women's Auxiliary Association.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


          Charles F. Bancroft to Clarissa Bancroft
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            • 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


            Charles F. Bancroft to Parents
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              • 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


              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‚Äôs 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


                Daniel S. White to Maria Howe White
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                  • Creator: White, Daniel S., 1837-1912.
                  • Date Created: 1864-05
                  • Description: Topics include a photograph of Maria with a new hair style and a joking encounter with another officer about the photograph. He also writes of memories of his youth and how he would never have believed there would be a civil war and that he would participate in one.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Daniel S. White Correspondence


                  E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
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                    • Creator: Mason, E. P.
                    • Description: Topics include E. P. Mason asking Roswell Farnham for his help in protecting his sick family.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                    E. Putnance to Alner D. Sparrow
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                      • Creator: Putnance, E.
                      • Date Created: 1865-01-11
                      • Description: Letter from clerk in the Adjutant General's office to Bradford's father, Alner, regarding his inquiry about Bradford. Letter states nothing is known at the office about Bradford except that he was taken prisoner and that Alner's request for information has been forwarded to F. F. Holbrook, Vermont Military Commissioner.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence