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 - 26 of 26 Records
Justus F. Gale to Father
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-09-24
- Description: Topics include his reference to his religious faith, the death of Justus Gale’s brother Charlie and of the death of Jester caused by the fever, the poor health of the rest of his family, the good health of himself and of sending on a photograph sent to him and of getting a photograph taken of him to send.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-03-09
- Description: Barney writes of how soldiers incarcerated in the guard house organize life while there, mimicking the rules of a regiment, including a “Colonel” (the Bully) who gets his position by fighting other soldiers, of extortion committed, of brutal beatings with one soldier not expected to live. He also describes how a soldier from his company (the 9th) deposed the "Colonel" and himself rose to the rank of “Major General” before escaping from camp, of Barney going to church worship, of Gen. Hooker granting furloughs and writes of family members.
- 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: 1863-06-02
- Description: Barney writes of receiving a letter from his wife, confirming the arrival of the box he sent, of photographs, of the uncertainty in military life, confessing that he doesn’t read the Bible as often as he should, of being able to set up the wall tents and the difference this will make in his comfort. Encourages his wife to remain happy and how his happiest times were spent with her and the children.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-03-07
- Description: Writing to his sister topics include the journey from Camp Holbrook to Ship Island through New York via train car, mentions 45 rebel officers being taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, hopes the war to be over soon, thinks of his family back home and puts his faith in God to rule over all.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-01-04
- Description: Reflects on God's will regarding his children, Rebel cavalry movements, Union scouts were thought to be Rebels, a cow disturbing a picket guard and rousing the camp, the general despondency of the army and the worsening of the war if slaves enter the fighting turning on their masters. He also writes of his hopes of being promoted to colonel of the 10th Vermont.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Lyman S. Willams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1862-07-27
- Description: Topics include the quietness of camp near Harrisons Landing, a church service that Lyman Williams attended, and the food Lyman misses from home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence