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 - 9 of 9 Records
Albert A. May to Friend
-
Image nop
- Creator: May, Albert A.
- Date Created: 1861-10-08
- Description: Writes from Marcy Camp Advanced in Northeastern Virginia of injuries and death sustained in a "Skermisher" due to confusion among the men and friendly fire, mentions 4th and 5th regiments also camped in the area.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Albert A. May Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Hiram H. Barton to Lyman Barton
-
Image nop
- Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-07-16
- Description: Hiram Barton writes a detailed description of a misunderstanding between the 96th New York Regiment and a cavalry company that they were to rendezvous with. The two forces exchanged fire but no one was injured. He then describes his unit’s participation in a pincer movement against Williamston, North Carolina, in which his unit was supposed to engage the enemy from the front while the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments were to attack from the rear.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
John Lester Barstow to Laura
-
Image nop
- Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913.
- Date Created: 1863-05-16
- Description: Topics include moving up the Red River, on the march can not catch the Rebels on horseback, dealing with snakes, joining forces with General Grant and his campaign in regard to Port Hudson or Vicksburg, inquiries about the draft in Shelburne, wishing to be with family, the beauty of flower gardens at the residences, plenty of corn planted but folks in need of other goods, the murder of a soldier by another soldier (later confined as a lunatic), a surgeon administering medicine only to discover is was poisoned resulting in the death of five soldiers.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
-
Image nop
- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1863-05-31
- Description: Topics include the improved health of J.C. Rutherford's son, wishing for photographs of the new house and of his wife, the visit from a mounted band from Washington played for the brigade, compliments paid to Rutherford and other officers, a soldier who ran the line and did not halt when ordered by the pickets was shot through the leg by friendly fire.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Justus E. Gale to Father
-
Image nop
- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-12-13
- Description: Topics include the health of Justus Gale, the mistaken attack (friendly fire) by the Indiana regiment, the process of making sugar done by the slaves, and the daily drilling in camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding
-
Image nop
- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-06-15
- Description: Topics include a recount of the battle at Great Bethel. Farnham remains critical of press coverage, estimating 90% is inaccurate. Some criticism of Mass. Gen. Pierce (destined to be court-martialed). First taste of battle now having an affect on Farnham and other Vermonters, no doubt.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
-
Image nop
- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-06-11
- Description: Topics include the expected fight at Little Bethel and the battle at Great Bethel, where fewer than fifty men were killed on the Union side. Mentions German Regiment (Col. Bendix) and Duryea's Zouaves. Description of "friendly fire" incident. Excursion proved to be the most exhausting so far.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Solomon G. Heaton to Mother
-
Image nop
- Creator: Heaton, Solomon G.
- Date Created: 1864-04-06
- Description: Topics include Heaton letting his mother know his health is good, the bad weather, the “vile” women, and the death of Heman Belden.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
-
Image nop
- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: [1861]-06-11
- Description: Writes from Newport News, Va. on a battle between General Butler's men and a camp of secessionists at Bethel, battle casualties due to confusion among the soldiers and friendly fire, of missing men, thanks Maria for the postage stamps.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War