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.

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Showing 1 - 7 of 7 Records

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Subject Topic Merge: Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863.   Remove all  

7 text
Miniature of Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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    • Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
    • Date Created: 1863-11-20
    • Description: Topics include receiving a letter from home, his hope to be released and return home, and news about others from his regiment who were killed or wounded at Hagerstown on July 6.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
    Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
    Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Homer White
    Joseph Spafford to Homer White
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      • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
      • Date Created: 1863-07-17
      • Description: Brief letter to friend Homer White (of New York City) informing him of Spafford's soon discharge from the army, heading to New York, the heavy losses at Gettysburg with those killed & wounded, opinions of newspaper editors.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
      Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
      Miniature of Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
      Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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        • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
        • Date Created: 1863-06-29
        • Description: Four brief letters telling of a 5th day of marching from Fredericksburg to Catoctin Furnace, lack of information to the men as to where they are going nor where Robert E. Lee is, Hooker believed to be relieved of his command, much rain, muddy roads, told they are on their way to Gettysburg. Letter of July 2nd tells of fighting on the way to Gettysburg, fresh chickens for food, General Reynolds reported killed on July 1.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
        Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
        Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
        Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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          • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
          • Date Created: 1863-07-03
          • Description: From near Westminster, MD topics include the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3), eighth day of marching for the men, the 12th guarding trains of First Corps, the false rumor General Stannard was killed, hundreds of prisoners from the battle passed by camp, ammunition exploding in wagons, replacement troops of the 15th coming in and the hope to be home soon.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
          Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
          Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
          Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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            • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
            • Date Created: 1863-07-04
            • Description: Two letters. One dated July 4th, the other July 5th give a description of the battle at Gettysburg, an account of those who were killed or wounded, and the expectation to be home soon.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
            Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
            Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
            Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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              • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
              • Date Created: 1863-07-03
              • Description: From camp at Westminster, MD topics include a description of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 12th ordered to guard the trains, supplies needed by the men in the field as they have none, the men of the 12th carrying out their duty and suffering much even though not engaged in the fighting, the determination of the men to continue marching despite severe hardship, horses giving out but coming to camp the next morning, men may be needed to stay on duty even though their military duties are up.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
              Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
              Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
              William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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                • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
                • Date Created: 1863-07-03
                • Description: Letter discusses guarding a railroad bridge, while the Second Brigade is heading for a big battle (the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3 part of the Gettysburg Campaign). He also mentions that all the officers‚Äô wives were returning home to Vermont.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
                Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War