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 10 Records
E. R. S. Canby to J. Gregory Smith
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- Creator: Canby, E. R. S.
- Date Created: 1864-01-28
- Description: Topics include the acknowledgement of the privileges awarded to the men enlisted under the Acts of the Legislature of the State of Vermont.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
J. Gregory Smith to William C. Holbrook
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- Creator: Smith, J. Gregory.
- Date Created: 1864-04-25
- Description: Topics include a proposal to brigade the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Vermont Regiments and the decision from the War Department in Washington to set a definitive date for the end of the regiments’ term.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to Daughter
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1864-12-25
- Description: Topics include organizing and preparing a Christmas dinner for the hospital, being awoken by the sounds of music, brother George’s defense of Rutherford to Governor Smith, and celebration of a big victory in battle, Rebel deserters coming into Union lines.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1865-02-10
- Description: Topics include a meeting with Governor Smith to discuss the injustices Rutherford had been afforded previously, meeting with Mr. Baxter, escorting Ms. McDuffee to N.Y, and helping his brother with a printing press that he just got.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1865-01-?
- Description: A brief letter with concerns of not receiving letters from Hannah although he does get letters from daughter Helen; has heard no news from Governor Smith, been ill with diarrhea for a few days, sends his Corps badge home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1865-03-12
- Description: Topics include thoughts of the war ending soon, the effect the weather will have on General Lee’s progress, the decision not to sell his horse Lady Lightfoot, the possibility of a promotion to the 17th Regiment, philosophical reflections on living.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1864-11-04
- Description: Writing from camp near Cedar Creek, Va, topics include the difficulty with sending letters given their location in the Valley, an offer given to him to transfer to a hospital in Washington, his taking offense with Governor Smith and feeling disrespect from the Gov. for not giving Rutherford a commission, again writes of Lucien wishing to have him know of Rutherford's good feelings towards him.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-05-16
- Description: Henry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and that his family should keep up their courage during these “exciting times” and write to him often.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-05-17
- Description: Henry writes that the 10th Vermont is in the same position and waiting for reinforcements. He also writes that he has seen terrible sights but will wait until he is home to tell his family about them. Henry continues the letter with a description of the political infighting in the regiment, caused by Major (Charles G.) Chandler’s objection to the promotion of Captain Edwin B. Frost, which resulted in Governor (J. Gregory) Smith denying all the officers their commissions. Henry writes that he prefer charges against Major Chandler as soon as the Major gets drunk again.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-01-19
- Description: Henry writes that he was Division officer and out reviewing pickets since January 15, which he found tiresome and hopes will not occur again soon. He expects a visit from Governor John Gregory Smith and the Vermont Congressional delegation, which would occasion a grand review if the mud isn’t too bad. He also writes that 2nd Lieutenant Justin Carter behaved badly while on leave and will probably be put up on charges when he gets back to the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War