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 201 - 210 of 1338 Records

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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    • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
    • Date Created: 1864-11-18
    • Description: A letter to Rutherford‚Äôs daughter comparing raw recruits with experienced soldiers he has fought alongside, description of the mood in camp, mentions the difference of his situation than 30 days ago when many battles have been fought, and the hope to try to visit home.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


    Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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      • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
      • Date Created: 1864-12-10
      • Description: Topics include learning of Lucien, his brother-in-law's death (Hannah's brother) via the newspaper, a artillery shell passing just over his cabin, nighttime gunfire, description of the line of battle south of Richmond, cold and discomfort of his new camping location and the inflated price of getting new boots.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


      Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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        • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
        • Date Created: 1865-01-01
        • Description: Topics include a retrospective review of the past year of service, the luck Rutherford feels for escaping the dangers of war, the unique recognition he is afforded by being a surgeon, attending a sermon preached in the hospital and watching a patient be baptized in the hospital.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


        Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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          • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
          • Date Created: 1865-02-10
          • Description: Topics include a meeting with Governor Smith to discuss the injustices Rutherford had been afforded previously, meeting with Mr. Baxter, escorting Ms. McDuffee to N.Y, and helping his brother with a printing press that he just got.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


          Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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            • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
            • Date Created: 1865-02-13
            • Description: Topics include a long talk with Governor Smith, meeting and becoming acquainted with Major General Benjamin Henry Grierson (who lead Grierson's Raid ordered by Gen. Grant during the Vicksburg Campaign), and the entertaining manner in which they were introduced.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


            Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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              • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
              • Date Created: 1865-02-25
              • Description: Rutherford suffering from the mumps, Rebel deserters including officers arriving in his camp, guns captured from Willmington and fall of Charleston, conjecture of how Gen. Grant plans to deal with attack by General Lee, his child Jacob being ill, reference to Gen. Grierson & photo of Grierson to be sent to Rutherford and being offered $300 dollars for his horse (Lady Lightfoot)
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


              Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                • Date Created: 1863-09-09
                • Description: Topics include the surprising outcome of an election at home, the hardships faced in camp, and Philip being accepted into the army.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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                  • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                  • Date Created: 1863-10-12
                  • Description: Two letters ; Oct 12 and Oct 15 ; topics include retreating from Culpepper to Rappahannock Station, the enemy's closeness, anticipation of a battle, money sent home was received, long marches every day.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                  Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers
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                    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
                    • Date Created: 1864-01-01
                    • Description: Topics include letters being delayed, the muddy camp in Virginia, winter quarters, inquiring after his brother Albert's schooling, requests a loaf of brown bread, a tin plate & other items, comments on news from home of folks health and passing away.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence


                    Notice
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                      • Date Created: ?
                      • Description: Notice to the legal voters of the town of Elmore, Vt to meet March 1st to transact business on several issues listed including military bounties. The year 1864 appears on last page.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence