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 101 - 107 of 107 Records
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1865-03-15
- Description: Writes of a gap in letters due to Rutherford treating a small pox patient, preparations for a march due to the nice weather, the destruction of the Lynchburg Rail Road and canal by Sheridan thus cutting off supplies to Gen. Lee, reference to Sheridan’s raid, and Schofield's victory over Bragg, his opinion of the effectiveness of Black Rebel soldiers on picket duty, more Rebel deserters arriving in camp, mentions writing articles for publication including one for the Sunday School at home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-06-14
- Description: Barney reminiscences about enlisting in the 9th Vermont one year before, how he is glad he wasn’t conscripted, since that would have not been honorable and about military pay. He also writes of a mutiny in the 99th New York Regiment and the punishment of the ring leaders (bucked and gagged) when they refused to march. As well, he writes about promotions and the fact that his first lieutenant, Linus E. Sherman, is looked upon as “small potatoes” and has probably held Barney back from promotion too.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-09-21
- Description: Letter written in the field discusses marching, the movement of the Army of the Potomac to the Rapidan River in the hope that there will be some form of action soon, Henry in new camp near Culpeper, Virginia, on the Pike to Sulphur Springs, possible move to Gordonsville where it is believed Lee's army is, the sickness of several members of Company B, receiving military pay.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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- Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
- Date Created: [1861]-07-19
- Description: Topics include a change of plans to leave for Baltimore on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.
- 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: 1862-08-22
- Description: Writing from Heigera Hotel at Fortress Monroe topics include marching to the fort, his feelings of how the Peninsular Campaign has been for naught, only for the loss of so many lives, storm postponing the division from moving, the resignation of Captain Atherton and reminding Julia of not to engage in flirtatious behavior.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]
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- Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-06-18
- Description: Towle writes from the field near Richmond, Va on heavy firing between Union gun boats on James River and Fort Darlin, an exchange of fire with the enemy, the seemingly deterioration of Gen. McClellan's appearance and the arrest of Colonel Stoughton for not turning out with his regiment to in line of battle.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-01-29
- Description: Letter to sister, Lois, about the 6th regiment's long hard march due to rain and muddy roads ; had to haul artillery, baggage and pontoon trains with great difficulty ; has been relieved from orderly duties ; wishes box from home to be sent ; heavy snow (6 inches) fallen ; asks for postage stamps.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence