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 341 - 350 of 1338 Records
Roswell Farnham to Edwin H. Stoughton
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-01-12
- Description: Writing from camp near Fairfax, Virginia to Brig. Gen. Stoughton this report includes placement of various troops including the 12th Vt. Vol. Militia regiment moving to the stone bridge, the passing of two bodies of cavalry, and a picket in the rear to look out for rebels.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Laura
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-01-22
- Description: Writing to sister Laura, topics include having to march to near Wolf Run Ford on the Occoquan River, Virginia, Farnham’s wife, Mary, staying at Mr. Whiley's, roads awful making the horses pull through fields and woods, troops carried their tents but the officers are waiting delivery of their tents, he now "at the front," rebel forces at Brentsville, explanation of what the pickets do and the death of Stratton of Fairlee of smallpox.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-04-13
- Description: A brief letter from Farnham who writes of the unit moving out but not knowing where they are going, of being sad with wife gone but hopes she reached Scott House in Washington safely and is well ; urges her to write every day and he will also.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-05-28
- Description: Farnham returning to Union Mills, Virginia ; living accommodations pleasant with tent set and well ventilated, men doing drills well, Farnham at headquarters in order to perform duties in the absence of the Colonel thus Farnham was not put in command of any of the detachments ; advises wife to not work so hard and take porter rather than whiskey.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Laura
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-06-08
- Description: Discomforts of camp life including bug bites and the discomfort they cause, food, the Court of Inquiry regarding the conduct of Lieutenant Hartshorn while commanding the guard on the train that was destroyed (May 30th), the good chance of having to spend forty-eight hours on picket line by the end of the week.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Volney S. Fullam to B. F. Butler
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- Creator: Fullam, Volney S.
- Date Created: 1862-08-18
- Description: Topics include vacancies in the regiment caused by the death and sickness of some officers, the resignation and guilt of misconduct by Lt. G. W. Sheldon, and the intention to send a list of promotions.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
William C. Holbrook to Frank
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- Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
- Date Created: 1862-11-21
- Description: To his brother Frank, William writes of the findings of the Court of Inquiry that was held by General Butler regarding the conduct of the 7th Vt. Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Baton Rouge in August; his decided opinion of a soldier's unreliable word; his expectation of having comfortable living quarters in Pensacola as his regiment has moved there (to which he adds he well deserves as he has lived in "bush houses long enough"); mentions the steamer Cumbria and of his having a fever for the past several days.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
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- Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
- Date Created: 1862-11-25
- Description: From New Orleans to his father Gov. Holbrook, William writes of the arrival of Dr. Langdon and Dr. Foster with Chaplain Hopkins on the steamer McClellan; of news that they bring regarding the government adhering to its bargain; his praise of these men; the regiment residing at Pensacola, his recommendation of distinguishing between the assistant surgeons just in case the positions are ever vacant (thus leaving him in a delicate position at some point) and the expectation to receive orders to head North.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Report
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- Date Created: 1864-01-28
- Description: Topics include a list of munitions (guns, bullets, etc.) received from Holbrook including the names of two soldiers unfit for issue.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Albert A. May to Friends
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- Creator: May, Albert A.
- Date Created: 1863-03-09
- Description: Writing from White Oak Church, Bell Plains, Va. topics include being in good health, the warm spring weather, a year since the Army of the Potomac started their summer campaign, the army in good spirits, hoping that the 2nd Vt. will be lucky and be sent home, and the prediction that May only has fifteen months left in the service.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Albert A. May Correspondence