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

Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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    • Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
    • Date Created: 1863-02-25
    • Description: Topics include the weather, the capture of some Confederate officers by a scouting party, his advice to his mother about the farm, and the lack of specie in the area due to the war. Still needs a pair of socks.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence


    Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
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      • Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
      • Date Created: 1862-06-25
      • Description: Topics include Captain E. S. Stowell heading for Vermont to become a Major in the 9th Regiment, the death of Wilder's Aunt, and Wilder receiving his pay the next day. June 25 marks the beginning of the failed campaign against Richmond known as The Seven Days.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence


      John Lester Barstow to Father
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        • Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913.
        • Date Created: 1862-12-28
        • Description: Topics include the fleeing of Rebels to Texas, the destruction and loss of property near New Orleans, and Barstow‚Äôs belief that the war must not end until the Union is restored.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence


        Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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          • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
          • Date Created: 1863-11-19
          • Description: Topics include sending military pay home, of high cost of food, the lack of food, wishing to hear more often from home and Colonel Henry taking a leave due to sickness.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


          Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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            • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
            • Date Created: 1863-10-22
            • Description: From Catlett's Station, Virginia on the Orange & Alexandria Rail Road, Virginia topics include a description of a battle with Stuart's men near the Bull Run location in which the Union was victorious, many killed, wounded, artillery captured, wrote the newspapers were mistaken as to the outcome of the battle, his cost of living, high cost of food, glad for the comfort of Rutherford‚Äôs family at home, and marching to continue.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


            Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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              • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
              • Date Created: 1862-05-18
              • Description: Topics include the hard marching to a camp owned by the rebel Colonel Lee and requests for items to be sent from home.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence


              Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                • Date Created: [1861]-12-01
                • Description: Topics include a brief description of the Thanksgiving celebrations and a description of a trip to Washington.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                  • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                  • Date Created: 1861-12-15
                  • Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey‚Äôs dismay that some people from home believe the pay soldiers receive should be decreased.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                  William Bruidnell and Francis Finnegan to William Wirt Henry
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                    • Creator: Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan.
                    • Date Created: 1862-08-09
                    • Description: Topics include a request for pay amounting to $116 and an update on the leaders of the Vermont Regiment.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


                    William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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                      • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
                      • Date Created: 1863-09-01
                      • Description: Misses his children, worries that his son Ferdie‚Äôs fits (Ferdinand Sherman Henry, born 1862) might have affected his intellect. Glad Mary Jane is horseback riding, reflects on losing precious time with family, wants his father-in-law (Lyman Beebe) to purchase sheep for him, since he feels they are a good speculation.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence