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 - 20 of 20 Records
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-10-29
- Description: Barney writes while on board the steamer “Maple Leaf” and describes the trip, including a singalong with Captain Seligson and his guitar. Officers' wives aboard but seasick, confined to their rooms thus he deprived "the pleasure of looking at a white woman." He also writes of wishing his father had sent a box with winter clothing that he had requested earlier, since the men need winter clothing.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-11-03
- Description: Topics include his arrival at the Newport barracks after leaving the steamer Maple Leaf, the news that Colonel [James Wolfe] Ripley was in command of the post, and settling the men in barracks. He also comments on the poverty of the area, that wild game is plentiful, that hunting game may be the only amusement & how to direct letters through the mail.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Edward P. Stone to Family
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- Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
- Date Created: 1862-12-28
- Description: Two letters dated Dec 28 and New Year's Day [1863] ; relates procedure and process by which allowed pass to travel to Washington with a soldier’s body, travel to Washington on the steamer Zepher, receiving parcels from home ; asking if $400 received.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-04-04
- Description: Writes of traveling by the steamer Long Island from City Point to Fort Monroe, of how woebegone City Point looks due to bombing, seeing the Confederate flag flying, searching the Confederate prisoners, finding many Union items, such as canteens and haversacks which were taken from them, of prisoners being paroled as no Union soldiers ready yet to be exchanged. He also mentions seeing naval ships at Newport News, and where the Regiment might go next.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
- Date Created: 1863-03-15
- Description: Lyman Barton writes of his travels from Fredericksburg to Newport News via a steamer, and then on to Suffolk. While at Newport News he saw a monitor and the U.S.S. Galena, as well as the wrecks of the U.S.S. Merrimack (C.S.S. Virginia) and the U.S.S. Cumberland and U.S.S. Congress. He also comments on the lack of alcohol available to the troops and that while he is not a drinker, he is “as bad can be” and that it is “hard spoiling a rotten egg.”
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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- Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
- Date Created: 1863-09-23
- Description: Topics include the journey to Fortress Monroe, the fruit in the wharf, and the health of Bradford, Ira and Swift.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence
John Lester Barstow to Laura
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- Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913.
- Date Created: 1863-03-26
- Description: Topics include Barstow's sickness, of him sent to New Orleans for rest but ordered back to his regiment as Heitzel's Brigade was to retreat, a very hard rain that flooded the camp, Admiral David Farragut at the siege of Port Hudson (on March 14), the retreat of General Banks and his army to Baton Rouge, his feelings other southern cities will soon fall and he will be going home, burning of the steamer, BioBio and perhaps the burning and loss of the mail with it and requests for photographs.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-04-06
- Description: Two letters enclosed. Still on the steamer Long Island at Norfolk, Virginia waiting for the rest of the Regiment before moving on, the Regiment traveling a lot seeing the country, contraband items distributed among the officers and men, seeing men harvesting oysters in the river. He also mentions sightseeing in Norfolk, Virginia, buying pants there, and oysters both raw and fried.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-10-15
- Description: Brief letter informing his wife that the Regiment has not yet moved, though there was a second order to board a steamer that was again countermanded. He also writes that he is expecting his box of clothing, which he needs, as his current shirts are too small.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-09-16
- Description: Recounts trip to from New York City to Washington, D.C. via steamboat and train ; warmly welcomed in Philadelphia on the way ; states visited with folks and had received ten dollars from his father.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence