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 57 Records
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-05-13
- Description: Topics include working on building forts, his surprise at the resignation of Colonel Stowell, that he was finally able to send his box back to Vermont, and mentions photographs for his album at home. He also refers to the wedding of Silas L. Griffith and Libby M. Staples on May 20th in Danby, Vermont.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-05-31
- Description: Letter discusses the health of his son, Ferdie, and the impending death of the wife of Sergeant Davis, who is at the camp. He also writes of the limits of their forces which are stretched along a 25 mile area, reference to Capt. Dillingham, Col. Jewett, of watching for Lee's army, possible promotions and photographs he is sending home of fellow officers.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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- Creator: White, Daniel S., 1837-1912.
- Date Created: 1863-09-22
- Description: Short letter mentioning photographs, pay, and his health.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Daniel S. White Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-06-13
- Description: Topics include a group of officers and men going on a ride to the battle field of Bull Run, thoughts of wanting to stay in the military but home and family pull at him more, the expectation of leaving on July 4th for Brattleboro, a visit to and description of Mr. Buckley’s family (Confederate sympathizers), talk of drinking alcohol and of wife wishing for photographs.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1862-09-27
- Description: While in transport Barney writes of heading for Chicago along with others as prisoners, states he had a good breakfast that included much relished butter, speculates they are being moved West as it is cheaper than keeping them East, thinks they will not be exchanged any time soon, feels humiliated to be sold but proud of having done his duty. States the arrest of all the officers in the brigade except Colonel Stannard who has taken command. Mentions photographs he is sending home.
- 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: 1863-02-18
- Description: Topics include being on guard duty, of the many court martial cases to be tried, his passion for collecting photographs of all the officers in the Regiment for his album, the resignation of officers, sending Meigs to pursue a deserter with no luck in arresting him, of hearing about a military draft in Vermont & the need for men to serve
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, James Edwin, 1844-1865.
- Date Created: 1864-11-19
- Description: Letter written by J. Edwin Henry to Mary Jane Henry, describing life in camp. He mentions that the picket lines are so close together that the soldiers talk to one another, and that one rebel soldier asked what Vermonters thought of “Mosby’s raid into St. Albans.” He also writes that there are few officers yet in the 17th, making more work for those that are there, and that the only regret he has in enlisting is that he left his mother alone. As well, he enquires whether his sister, Delia Henry Anderson, is still visiting Vermont, or whether she has returned to North Carolina yet.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1863-01-25
- Description: Writing from White's Ford, Maryland two letters of Jan 23 (or 25?) and 27 topics include photographs, military pay, of ambulance drill to teach hospital attendants medical practices, warm weather, men singing, being made the Surgeon if Dr. Willard Augustus Childe is promoted, moving to Poolesville, Maryland, Col. A. B. Jewett in command of the Brigade, the disgrace of two officers by getting drunk, the potential for a man from his Vermont county to receive a dishonorable discharge and of him being in good health.
- 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: 1863-05-31
- Description: Topics include the improved health of J.C. Rutherford's son, wishing for photographs of the new house and of his wife, the visit from a mounted band from Washington played for the brigade, compliments paid to Rutherford and other officers, a soldier who ran the line and did not halt when ordered by the pickets was shot through the leg by friendly fire.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-09-09
- Description: Barney writes of the men repairing the barracks in preparation for the winter, and of having a photograph taken of his horse. He also writes of food for breakfast, getting a firkin (56 lbs.) of butter of acquiring a cow for the field and staff officers’ mess and of hearing from Major Jarvis who will be traveling to Brattleboro shortly.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence