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 21 - 30 of 38 Records

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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    • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
    • Date Created: 1862-12-16
    • Description: Family matters, ill health of the children with whooping cough, remedies recommended by the surgeon (sulphuric ether), rebels coming close the night before and taking prisoners, and the health of one of the members of the regiment.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


    Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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      • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
      • Date Created: [1861]-10-02
      • Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


      Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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        • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
        • Date Created: 1861-10-[06]
        • Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


        Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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          • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
          • Date Created: 1864-04-19
          • Description: Topics include additional sending more pay home to Hannah, an imminent march, enduring low spirits, sending a photograph of Lt. Tabor, instructions on where to send letters, of the sudden death of a fellow soldier's horse, and other stories of soldiers in the war.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


          Charles F. Bancroft to Parents
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            • Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
            • Date Created: 1862-02-02
            • Description: Topics include reminiscences of church meetings in Vt., stimulated by his attendance of them at camp; how much he enjoys the supplies (footwear, clothing, food, brandy) from home; some medical treatment that was improved with brandy; his appreciation of family and home; a few words about postal delivery; and a map of the South he plans to give to his father. -- Because of winter, the war has slackened off a bit. Lincoln is still trying to force McClellan to act.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence


            Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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              • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
              • Date Created: 1863-12-06
              • Description: Topics include wishing he could come home on leave, noticing that his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney, was home on leave as seen in the Burlington Times, and naming the members of the recruiting party who were returning to Vermont and carrying Major [Charles] Jarvis‚Äô body with them on the steamer. As well he mentions visiting Beaufort, dining with the commander of the sub-district, of planning a hunting party, of sending money home with thoughts of maybe purchasing land.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


              Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                • Date Created: 1861-08-25
                • Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey being in command of the Regiment for about a week, scouting Virginia, and General Smith making recommendations for Lt. Col. Hyde to be promoted to Col. and Wheelock G. Veazey to be promoted to Lt. Col.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                  • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                  • Date Created: 1861-11-09
                  • Description: Topics include the cold nights and the toll it takes and Wheelock G. Veazey‚Äôs responsibilities in camp.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                  Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                    • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                    • Date Created: [1861]-12-22
                    • Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey taking the role of Field Officer of the Day, an exchange of fire, and the appointment as Court Marshall.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                    Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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                      • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
                      • Date Created: 1862-08-31
                      • Description: Dr. Rutherford writes from Camp Washburn about his improved health from the dysentery from which he has suffered, medicine he took, his heavy responsibilities caring for sick soldiers, and anticipation of leaving for Virginia on Friday. He writes of missing home.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence