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 12 Records
Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
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- Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
- Date Created: 1862-04-23
- Description: Topics include a request for Wilder's mother to send him stamps, Wilder's predictions that he may never return home, and a description of the battle at Yorktown. Poignant thoughts about friends and loved ones near and far away.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph L. Perkins to Brother
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- Creator: Perkins, Joseph L.
- Date Created: 1861-04-23
- Description: Topics include a discussion of Liberty and the Constitution and one of women's equality with men.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph L. Perkins Letter
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1864-07-24
- Description: Writing from Georgetown Heights, D.C. he tells of the regiment's march, towns they marched to (Poolsville, Luxbury, Winchester), expresses his fear more of capture than of being wounded, had an attack of dysentery and is recovering.
- 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: 1863-12-13
- Description: Topics include a his experiences on November 27th in the Battle of Mine Run that took place near Locust Grove (Orange County, Virginia), meager food for Thanksgiving meal, marching to the forest known as the "Wilderness", the way in which the wounded were cared for, praise for Capt. Steele and the service all the men did for their country.
- 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: 1863-10-31
- Description: From mud soaked camp near Warrenton Junction topics include repairing a railroad, dismay at the laying waste such beautiful countryside, his strong views on slavery, on the white men who partake in slavery, on the Southern values of trying to keep property in the family resulting in intermarriage, the results of that and his philosophy of why the war is so hard to put down due to the Southerners' mind set and the basis of what the Union is fighting for.
- 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: 1863-06-20
- Description: Topics include J.C. Rutherford reassuring his wife that he is still alive, the men are on alert, he nervous at the prospect of a fight, sending her $20 and advising his wife to be economical with it as he does not know when he will be paid next.
- 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: 1863-12-12
- Description: From Brandy Station, Virginia Rutherford writes of his swollen left hand due to infection resulting in his whole body having tremors and shooting pains, taking a dose of morphine, the rainy weather, winter quarters being built, of Chaplain offering to help erect Rutherford's cabin, his dedication to duty for the wounded and the approaching of Christmas.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]
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- Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-06-14
- Description: Still in the field near Richmond, Va topics include the Battle of Richmond being fought since May 31, soldiers wounded and killed by Rebel fire, shell fire by the Rebels, balloon reconnaissance.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-06-13
- Description: Topics include the battle the previous Monday and the death of George Lougee from Vershire, Vermont. Farnham concerned that some of his letters may be misinterpreted and printed (presumably in the local press). Mentions Col. Phelps's anxiety, imminent court-martial of Mass. general, and some of the hardships of the campaign.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-06-21
- Description: Topics include marching to Wolf Run Shoals, strengthening the pickets, fighting at Aldie down to Thoroughfare Gap, firing heard near Dumfries, an invitation to join Hooker’s Army with a stay of another six months but will not in spite of mixed emotions about wanting to stay in the military and wanting to be at home with family.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War