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 29 Records
Bird's-Eye View of Fortress Monroe Virginia
-
Image nop
- Description: MAP
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
-
Image nop
- Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
- Date Created: 1863-09-23
- Description: Topics include the journey to Fortress Monroe, the fruit in the wharf, and the health of Bradford, Ira and Swift.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
-
Image nop
- 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
Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
-
Image nop
- 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
George W. Quimby to Tucker
-
Image nop
- 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 A. Smith to Family
-
Image nop
- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1864-01-10
- Description: Topics include how he is the only one left of his company that has not been exchanged and a list of the items he wants sent to him in a box.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
-
Image nop
- Creator: Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893.
- Date Created: 1862-05-13
- Description: Topics include recent battles in Yorktown and Williamsburg, which had significant casualties; the destruction of the C.S.S. Merrimack off the coast of Norfolk, Va., now under Union occupation. McClellan will likely send Vt. troops home once Richmond is taken. Ill soldier Tilton Sleeper mentioned again.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
-
Image nop
- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1862-04-01
- Description: Topics include the journey from Alexandria to Newport News.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
-
Image nop
- Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-03-29
- Description: Writing from Newport News (Virginia?) topics include the journey from Alexandria to his new camp, mentions the destruction of Hampton, Va. by the Confederates, the "concentration of troops" for the possible purpose of advancing into Va. and the inefficiency of the Quarter Master resulting in the soldiers going hungry for a week. He makes reference to passing gun boats, gives a brief description and impression of the "renowned" Monitor (Ironclad) and Fort Monroe.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to C. H. Harding
-
Image nop
- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-05-07
- Description: Farnham's regiment in Rutland gets the news that they are to leave for Fort Monroe, Va., via rail car and then boat. News of the deployment raises morale; the men are ready for a good fight (recurring theme in Farnham's letters).
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War