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 1251 - 1260 of 1339 Records
Justus F. Gale to Family
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-07-24
- Description: Topics include the sickness and deaths in the regiment due to Typhoid Fever and poor water, a report that Vicksburg was burned, and the call for the 11th and 12th regiments from Vermont.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Brother
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-08-01
- Description: Topics include the sickness and deaths in the regiment including that of Lucias M Benson of Worcester from diphtheria whom Gale was caring for in the hospital, inquiries about home and family members, the lack of news from Richmond, and the hot weather in Algiers.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Sister Almeda
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-08-16
- Description: Guard duty, being able to pick some sweet potatoes, having fresh fruit melons, a trip into the city, a description of a plantation, mentions how much work it is for owners to look after their slaves, states care must be taken of their dress suits and boots in spite of whatever their living conditions may be and the improved health of some of the men in the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-11-14
- Description: Topics include the poor health of Justus Gale’s sister, having plenty to eat and confiscating anything while in the field including livestock from the rebels, receiving a box from home that was greatly appreciated though disappointed none of Mother's cheese, the expectation of returning to Algiers, and some family affairs including what to do with Charlie's clothes since his death, mentions still needing to get a photographer and have his photo taken, and the possibility of renting the farm.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1863-01-01
- Description: Writing from Brashear City (Morgan City), Louisiana topics include wishing his sister a happy New Year and ruminating on his life as a soldier so far. He also writes about his health, the food he is eating, his mail, newspapers, what he wants put in a box his family is sending to him and regards to family members and friends.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Mother
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1863-07-01
- Description: Gale writes that his company had been busy digging entrenchments in preparation for an assault on Port Hudson, and that rebels made a small raid to acquire some nearby guns but were repulsed. He also writes that deserters are coming in almost every day and report that rations are short in the fort. As well he writes that there is a rumor that the Rebels had invaded Brashear City and took or burned items left by the 8th Regiment, and the Colonel Thomas reacted strongly, saying “he wished he could get one clip at them with his brigade.”
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1863-07-05
- Description: Topics include family news, the weather, that Colonel Thomas is acting Major General now, that the Rebels are deserting often and are short of provisions, and that his Company while on picket duty talks back and forth to the Rebels and shares their food with them at times.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1861-11-04
- Description: Writes of waiting for discharge papers from Washington, D.C. and complains of how long it is taking, willing to wait for Vermont soldiers to be paid so he can bring the pay home to their families, no military action except a lot of drilling.
- 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: 1862-02-09
- Description: Topics include Captain Johnson taking command of Company D, the illness of a few men, the possibility of Ned Wells returning home, Henry's side business not doing as well now as the men are out of money to spend, mud prevents drills so men study tactics and go on picket only once every five days.
- 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: 1862-11-02
- Description: Brief letter stating receiving a letter from his wife with photographs, his being promoted to lieutenant colonel, and hearing fighting in the distance.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence