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 221 - 230 of 1339 Records

Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Image nop
    • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
    • Date Created: 1863-06-20
    • Description: Barney writes of becoming weak from diarrhea and being advised to go to the Chesapeake Hospital after the Regiment had moved to Yorktown. He reassures his wife that he is recovering and that the hospital is magnificent. He also writes that the news from Pennsylvania is not good. Mentions Hooker and Little Mac and then gives orders about placing the state pay of some of his men in the Union Bank.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


    Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
    Image nop
      • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
      • Date Created: 1863-07-10
      • Description: Regiment moving into the Rebel fort at Yorktown and of being ordered to evict the 179th Pennsylvania Regiment from the barracks. He also writes of promotions in his former company, and of buying a splendid horse for $225. He comments on the expense of getting ‚Äúrigged out‚Äù as a lieutenant colonel.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


      Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
      Image nop
        • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
        • Date Created: 1863-09-18
        • Description: Topics include receiving news from home from Lieutenant Jewett, inquiring into what newspapers his wife is reading and whether she has had work done on building a barn. Writes winter barracks continue to be worked on. He also wishes to have photographs of his children sent to him, preferably in their every day clothing.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


        Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
        Image nop
          • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
          • Date Created: 1863-10-03
          • Description: Topics include a visit to Norfolk, Virginia, where he met his brother, Lester (Rufus Lester Barney), his return to the Regiment by boat, and an aborted movement of the Regiment to Portsmouth, Virginia. He also mentions the large number of sick in the Regiment, the arrival of a colored regiment to help stand guard, though he doubts their capability, taking a horse back ride through the Negro regiment and Jewettville.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


          Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
          Image nop
            • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
            • Date Created: 1863-11-26
            • Description: Barney writes of his love for his wife, and comments on news from home. He gives his wife information on mail regulations and the cost of sending letters and other items. As well, he describes what the officers will be eating for Thanksgiving and comments that General Butler has aged since he last saw him.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


            Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
            Image nop
              • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
              • Date Created: 1863-12-02
              • Description: Barney writes of the death of Major [Charles] Jarvis, shot in the abdomen when he attempted to capture some Rebels while he was out looking from stolen horses.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


              Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
              Image nop
                • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                • Date Created: 1863-12-12
                • Description: Barney writes of gifts given to his wife, Maria, and daughter Carrie by his cousin, Silas L. Griffith of Danby, and also of his attempt to buy a horse in Vermont from George but $300 asking price too high. He also writes of a storm that blew down the Chaplain‚Äôs tent, how the officers‚Äô winter quarters are progressing & eating well with food available.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


                Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
                Image nop
                  • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                  • Date Created: 1863-12-15
                  • Description: Topics include Barney‚Äôs apologies for how poorly he writes letters, making money by selling the Quarter Master‚Äôs horse at a profit, asking for photos of the children and an argument he is having with his wife about chores at home asking if a boy could not be taken in and have him pay for board by doing the chores.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


                  Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
                  Image nop
                    • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                    • Date Created: 1864-02-21
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


                    Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
                    Image nop
                      • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                      • Date Created: 1864-03-19
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence