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 - 10 of 120 Records

Miniature of Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham

Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham

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Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date Created: 1862-10-13
Description: Topics include a pass allowing Roswell Farnham to and from Washington D.C.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott Phelps

Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott Phelps

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Creator: Butler, Benjamin F.
Date Created: 1861-07-16
Description: Topics include the summoning of Roys Nicholas Colbert and Charles Stepheny to Command General Benjamin F. Butler.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

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Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
Date Created: 1861-10-29
Description: Topics include the policy of the war department to not allow anyone to go home regardless of their circumstances,enquiries about home, Parmenter's growing disillusion with the Army, and a discussion about "the Southern confederacy is a fixed fact."
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

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Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
Date Created: 1861-08-08
Description: Topics include the regiment being located at Bush Hill Camp, rumors that they may join up with another brigade, more discussion of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, Parmenter's low opinions of the regiments officers,and his disappointment in the treatment of the soldiers.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

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Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
Date Created: 1861-07-28
Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

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Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
Date Created: 1861-10-12
Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's hospital stay and him enlisting his brother to take care of things at home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bird's-Eye View of Fortress Monroe Virginia

Bird's-Eye View of Fortress Monroe Virginia

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Description: MAP
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry

Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry

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Creator: Canning, Charles C., b. 1828.
Date Created: 1862-05-26
Description: Topics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major fighting doesn't ensue until May 31st (Battle of Seven Pines, May 31), when Confederates take advantage of Union positions on the south side of the Chickahominy River.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry

Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry

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Creator: Canning, Charles C., b. 1828.
Date Created: 1862-07-18
Description: Topics include the movement of the regiment to Harrison's Landing, the extensive loss in the 5th Vermont Regiment (Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862), the arrest of Captain Eaton, and a request for a few goods from home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry

Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry

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Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837.
Date Created: 1861-08-26
Description: August 26, 1861 from Great Falls Maryland. Writes of furloughs and discharges not being granted without good cause, illness among the men including measles, duty guarding the river, good fishing, having acquired a horse, quarters in an old hotel with creature comforts.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War