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 11 - 19 of 19 Records
Justus F. Gale to Mother
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-02-21
- Description: From Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s common cold, asking for leave denied, only those with wife and babies being allowed to go home, the rumor that Texas and Tennessee has been ordered to surrender, has received $33 in military pay and the expectation to stay at Camp Holbrook for another month.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Justus E. Gale to [Family]
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-08-23
- Description: Topics include a poem titled “The Heavenly Home” and clearing up the rumor that Justus Gale is dead.
- 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: 1862-08-26
- Description: Topics include wishing his sister a happy birthday, clearing up the rumor that he is dead, the enlisting of blacks, and the enlisting of men from home before they are drafted.
- 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: 1864-12-06
- Description: Henry writes that the Sixth Corps has returned to Petersburg, and the 10th Vermont is camped near General Meade’s Head Quarters and they recently glimpsed General Grant leaving after a meeting. He has not yet been examined by Dr. Hollman, surgeon of the Sixth Corps, but when he is, he will know his fate. He plans on visiting his brother, J. Edwin Henry, who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Vermont Infantry, is hearing rumors but no official word.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Hiram H. Barton to Lyman Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-04-05
- Description: Writing from Stanley General Hospital in New Bern, N.C. to his brother Lyman, Hiram Barton writes of all the rumors surrounding the Siege of Little Washington (Battle of Washington, March 30-April 18, 1863), including the supposed death of General Francis B. Spinola. He also writes of the arrival of a Lieutenant sent by General John G. Foster to New Bern to ask for reinforcements. As well, he writes of Rebel scouts that are in the area.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-06-29
- Description: Henry writes that his hand is getting better and he hopes to return to his command in a couple of days. The army is currently resting, though there are rumors that the cavalry and gun boats will be going into action soon. He also writes that the army has confidence in Grant and Mead and that the loss of the railroad will hurt the Confederates, since they have a large army to feed and many civilians have fled to Richmond and Petersburg. As well, Henry writes of how much he misses his wife and how angry he is with Dr. Child for not authorizing leave. He also writes of having to put down the young horse he bought for his wife to ride because it caught glanders.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-05-29
- Description: Barney writes that they are under marching orders and that the rumor is that the area is being evacuated. Writes of disciplining & reducing his orderly to fifth sergeant and of choosing a new orderly, a Sergt. Cleveland, Lieutenant Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley and how his leadership style is different from Barney’s and sending crude handmade wooden rings home for the children.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Hiram H. Barton to Melissa Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-06-23
- Description: Writing from Camp Gray in Plymouth, North Carolina Barton speaks of white and black North Carolinians coming in to Union lines to join the Union Army, of the brogue they speak, of the sights he has seen in battle, his dislike of army life, particularly the killing. Writes of rumors about Vicksburg and what it would mean for the Union cause if it is taken.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family 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