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 - 6 of 6 Records
Hiram H. Barton to [Melissa Barton]
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- Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903.
- Date Created: 1862-09-11
- Description: Topics include the journey from Harrisons Landing to Fort Monroe, a fight at Bulls Run (aka 2nd Manassas), and the deaths of Thomas Covil and Lyman Morhouse.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Horatio P. Bruce to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Bruce, Horatio P.
- Date Created: 1862-06-26
- Description: Topics include the death of Charles Bancroft from typhoid fever, the sickness of other men in the company, and that the fall of Richmond will bring the war to an end. Like many other writers, he refers to McClellan's reluctance to deploy his massive army.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Solomon G. Heaton to Family
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- Creator: Heaton, Solomon G.
- Date Created: 1861-07-30
- Description: An account of the journey from Camp Baxter to Camp Lyon near Washington, D. C. with people along the way cheering and giving an enthusiastic reception to the soldiers ; food provided ; blessings of God speed given ; mentions Major General McClellan in command ; high morale
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Solomon G. Heaton to Father
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- Creator: Heaton, Solomon G.
- Date Created: 1862-10-30
- Description: As Heaton indicates, the Army of the Potomac crossed the river into Virginia at the time this letter was written (Gen. George McClellan would soon be removed, however, and succeeded by Gen. Ambrose Burnside). There is no record of a "very hard fight" at Gordonsville, Va. Gen. Wm. Buel Franklin was implicated in some intrigue against Burnside, and both were relieved of their command in Jan., 1863. Heaton complains about harsh treatment by his commanding officer and being denied a rubber blanket. Nevertheless, he claims to be in good spirits.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930.
- Date Created: 1862-06-19
- Description: Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
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- Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
- Date Created: 1861-10-28
- Description: Writing to his father in Montpelier, Vt topics include Holbrook's desire to be appointed aide to General Phelps staff rather than Gen. Brooks', mentions names of several officers, his suggestion to appoint only West Point men to the position of Colonel, his opinion about Frank making a good Major, praise for McClellan and celebrating Thanksgiving on the wrong day.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War