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 301 - 310 of 1339 Records
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-07-09
- Description: Recounts a long march to Gettysburg and of laying in wait for the enemy, engaged in a skirmish with the Rebels, one brigade left to deal with them and the rest of the men returned to camp where time was spent socializing. Writes some of the Vermont men sent home and states that he is sending letters home via Alf. Olmstead for safekeeping.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-08-06
- Description: Writes his health is good, the weather is hot, the men have a good camp ground and good water close by. States he has received letters from home and tells of the different types of food crops grown in Virginia ; gives his opinion of some men folk at home, of men drafted but who run away and refuse to fight, and sends this letter with no postage stamp as his request for some has not yet been fulfilled.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-09-07
- Description: Williams has left NYC via steamboat, Rip Van Winkle and thought to be on way to Albany, NY ; had a chance to visit with friends ; draft continued with no trouble but threats were made to burn the city if the draft was brought to NYC.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1863-11-10
- Description: Writes that the regiment has been on the move and has seen some fighting with the Rebels resulting in the capture of many Confederates, their officers and many weapons ; also reports Union losses at Rappahannock.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1864-06-25
- Description: Topics include Lyman’s promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, inquiries about his Canadian cousins, trying to keep cool, with a bucket of ice water to drink, needing money sent to him to pay for his new equipment as 2nd Lieutenant, a discussion about the officers in his new company, a report about the loss of prisoners by the 4th and 11th Regiments, destruction of railroad tracks and bridges.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1864-10-03
- Description: Topics include taking part in a raid against guerrilla fighters, capturing a large quantity of cider brandy which was drunk by both officers and men and by their guide, so that they had to turn back, and a cavalry fight on October 2 (Battle of Saltville, Va.), near their camp. He also writes of being detached to the 5th Vermont Infantry Regiment temporarily and being in command of two companies, and asks when the Town of Essex will pay the bounty to soldiers who reenlisted.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1865-03-21
- Description: Writes being Brigade Officer of the Day, shaving off all his beard except a mustache, news of Sergeant John C. Swan who was exchanged and who reports that the rumors about Confederate treatment of prisoner is true, and that recruits are coming in from Vermont to fill the companies.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1865-04-16
- Description: A poem entitled "Battle of Cedar Creek" and a letter to his sister, Lois, that includes a description of the fighting the 6th Vt Vols. was involved with starting April 1st and leading to the fall of Richmond on April 3, 1865.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1865-06-03
- Description: Topics include marching to Washington from Richmond, sightseeing in Richmond, the possibility of a review, and rumors about an attempt by the Governor of Vermont to get the old Brigade home all at once, though Williams doesn’t think this likely.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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- Creator: White, Daniel S., 1837-1912.
- Date Created: 1863-05-11
- Description: Letter includes a poetic description of nature, contrasting with itthe blight of slavery, and his hope for the end of the war. It also includes ruminations on death in the field versus a natural death at home. As well, he writes of love. He then gives details of the health of his Company, including the news that Sergeant Beckwith was bitten by a snake, and mentions several visitors.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Daniel S. White Correspondence