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 19 Records
? to Lorenzo Thomas
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- Date Created: 1862-08-30
- Description: Topics include the request to inquire after statements made by the Major General, and a request for an investigation of the Battle of Baton Rouge by a court of inquiry.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
- Date Created: 1863-03-14
- Description: Hitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a Brattleboro newspaper (title unknown); a new "conscript act" (Conscription Act: passed by the Union in late February and signed by Lincoln in March, 1863); preparations for summer and the anticipation of a large shipment of ice; officers busy with a Court Martial; and the continued good health of the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1861-11-29
- Description: Topics include Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' commanding Butler's New England Division and inviting Frederick Holbrook's son William to be his Aid-de-Camp. Mention of 7th Vermont Regiment (the old 1st reorganized) also being attached to Butler, of Lt. Roberts being given Colonelcy of the 7th, of Major Kimball of the New Jersey 9th for Lt. Col. of the 8th Regiment, reference to Thanksgiving Proclamation.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-03-10
- Description: Upbeat letter delivered to Gen. Phelps by the writer's son, William C. Holbrook, who apparently turned down an offer to join Phelps's staff. The writer, Gov. Holbrook, lavishes praise on Vermont officers and soldiers (including his son), and sends warm wishes for success to Phelps, sharing his conviction that "the Union Cause must triumph." Holbrook concludes with some reflections on the difficulty of being a wartime governor.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-08-08
- Description: Topics include Mrs. Holbrook requesting General Phelps to forward her letters to her son and Frederick Holbrook inquiring after the sick men and the number of surgeons. Holbrook expresses frustration that the Vt. Regiments (7th & 8th) are still not under Phelps's command, per an agreement with Gen. Butler. Holbrook also mentions Phelps's "Dark Brigade," black troops that Phelps recruited in Louisiana without permission from the War Dept. (Phelps resigned in Aug., 1862.)
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-07-27
- Description: Topics include the President calling for 300,000 additional troops, the wish that the National Government will develop a decisive policy to "proclaim war to the knife," and a description of Frederick Holbrook's son Major Will. Holbrook continues to express his admiration for Phelps and offer him greater forces to command.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-05-02
- Description: Topics include the arrival of the 7th and 8th Vermont Regiments at Ship Island, off the coast of Miss., and arrangements with the War Department for wounded troops to be sent home. Holbrook mentions the Battle of Yorktown (April 5-May 4, 1862), esp. the "affair" on April 16 that left ca. 100 Vermont soldiers wounded. Holbrook is in charge of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps 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
N. A. M. Dudley to William C. Holbrook
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- Creator: Dudley, N. A. M., Phelps, John Wolcott.
- Date Created: 1862-08-30
- Description: Two letters; one signed by N. A. M. Dudley and the other by W. C. Holbrook requesting a Court of Inquiry to investigate allegations against the 7th Regiment participation in the Battle of Baton Rouge by a Commanding General.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Volney S. Fullam to B. F. Butler
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- Creator: Fullam, Volney S.
- Date Created: 1862-08-18
- Description: Topics include vacancies in the regiment caused by the death and sickness of some officers, the resignation and guilt of misconduct by Lt. G. W. Sheldon, and the intention to send a list of promotions.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War