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 231 - 240 of 1338 Records

Lyman Barton to Hiram Barton
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    • Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
    • Date Created: 1864-03-08
    • Description: Lyman Barton mentions an attack on his Brigade at Deep Creek, Virginia and the death of two men from the 9th New Jersey Regiment who had just returned from a furlough. He also writes of men returning to the 8th Connecticut Regiment after their reenlistment furlough, who had second thoughts about reenlisting. Also he writes of how many got married while on leave. At the end of the letter he gives news of his brothers Henry, James and Theodore and their addresses.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence


    Theodore Barton to Melissa Barton
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      • Creator: Barton, Theodore, 1842-1926.
      • Date Created: 1863-01-25
      • Description: Theodore Lyman writes of seeing his brother Lyman, Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, who is camped only two miles away. He also writes of the attempt by General Burnside to cross the Rappahannock and how the Confederate soldiers jeered and set up a sign saying ‚ÄúBurnside stuck in the mud.‚Äù
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence


      Justus F. Gale to Family
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        • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
        • Date Created: 1861-12-27
        • Description: Writes from Brattleboro of the journey from Montpelier to Brattleboro, unit called Co. A, of other troops coming in, anticipates the regiment to be full in a few days, comfortable quarters, good food, Gov. Holbrook visited.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


        Justus F. Gale to Brother
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          • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
          • Date Created: 1862-01-24
          • Description: Two letters in one dated Jan 24th and Jan 26th. Topics include the expectation that the war will end in a couple of months, waiting for military pay, anxious to hear from home, Sergeant U. A. Woodbury drilling the company, the stormy weather at camp, the bad food being served except for good bread from a local bakery, the good health of Gale and of him sending a picture in this letter.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


          Justus F. Gale to Brother
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            • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
            • Date Created: 1862-03-01
            • Description: Topics include the improvement of Justus Gale‚Äôs health, over $60 of military pay sent home, trading for a watch and the anticipated journey to New York and then on to Ship Island, Mississippi.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


            Justus F. Gale to [Family]
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              • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
              • Date Created: [1862-04]
              • Description: Topics include lyrics to a song that is sung while marching.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


              Justus F. Gale to Brother
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                • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
                • Date Created: 1862-05-25
                • Description: Topics include the process of choosing new officers and police in New Orleans, Gen. Butler's orders to the N.O. police being refused, illness among some of the soldiers, fruit berries available, other provisions few and expensive, summary of all the letters that have been received by Justus Gale, and how welcome the Vermont regiment is in New Orleans.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


                Justus F. Gale to Father
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                  • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
                  • Date Created: 1862-06-06
                  • Description: Topics include the good living conditions in New Orleans, the Indiana regiment taking meat from the rebels, been on cooking duty, good meals, fresh beef, waiting for military pay and the possibility of leaving soon.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


                  Justus F. Gale to Father
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                    • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
                    • Date Created: 1862-07-10
                    • Description: Topics include the medicating himself after seeing the doctor twice to rid his diarrhea, taking of Richmond and rebel prisoners, the weather in Algiers, high price of provisions, inquires about family and the plan to go visit friends 4 miles away.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


                    Justus F. Gale to Brother
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                      • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
                      • Date Created: 1863-01-04
                      • Description: Topics include a sore on his hand, getting photographs of the family made, his opinion of Captain Luman M. Grout and mention of Grout‚Äôs appreciation of Southern ladies, and rumors that Vicksburg has been taken.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence