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 1271 - 1280 of 1339 Records
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-07-14
- Description: Very brief note with Henry stating that the soldiers are under marching orders and have been ordered to take the train to Washington D.C. and that possibly they will be ordered to follow the Confederate forces towards Culpeper, Virginia.
- 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: 1864-10-12
- Description: Henry writes that he appreciates his wife’s letter which contained a description of Major Edwin Dillingham’s funeral. He also writes that he was Sixth Corps Officer of the Day and spent the whole day with General Ricketts, who seemed glad that he was back in command of the 10th Vermont.
- 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: 1864-11-18
- Description: Henry writes that Brigade Commander Colonel William Emerson is on leave and Henry is now in command of the Brigade. It appears they are now in winter quarters and Henry writes that he does not feel it is safe for his wife to visit this camp, as the railroads are being torn up by “guerillas” and trains are being captured. He then discusses when or whether he will resign, since Col. Truax in under arrest, depending on the resignation of Colonel Emerson and the possibility that Henry might command the Brigade.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Family
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-09-02
- Description: From Alexandria, Virginia topics include transporting the sick, injured and "used up horses", the expectation of new horses, the extensive fortifications between Alexandria and Centerville, the horrors of war, the restriction of letter writing until 10 days following a battle, reference to men having fought in a battle but does not say which one (Pope's Campaign??) and Henry Smith's wish to return home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Family
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-11-28
- Description: Topics include the arrival of the package from home that had includes apples and chicken but those were eaten by Jarvis Wentworth, pictures of relatives received, admiration of his new boots, Henry Smith's friend Fenney hoping to become his brother-in-law, and the death of a boy names Henry Holt of Hartland, gives advice on how to best care for a horse.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Mother
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-12-05
- Description: Two letters one dated Dec 5th and one 6th. Topics include the snowy weather, Henry Smith's good health, and the difficult times the men who were drafted will face.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1863-06-02
- Description: Topics include his praise of the work being done at home on the farm by his brothers, a description of Mosby’s attack on the train at Catlett’s Station (May 31st), and his wish that his mother use his money to purchase more pasture land in Royalton.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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- Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
- Date Created: 1861-10-12
- Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's hospital stay and him enlisting his brother to take care of things at home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-01-06
- Description: Written to his sister from his camp in Virginia, topics include inquiring after news from home, a possible visit by his father, cold weather, boxes of bedding sent by the towns of Weathersfield and Windham, and sending hats home so folks can see them.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-01-28
- Description: A very brief letter mentions continued rainy weather and deep mud; also a comrade has typhoid fever and not expected to live.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence