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 31 - 40 of 120 Records
Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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- Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
- Date Created: [1861]-11-26
- Description: Topics include a package that arrived from home, a new General who served in Florida through the Mexican War, and 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]-12-09
- 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
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
William Bruidnell to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Bruidnell, William, b. 1842.
- Date Created: 1862-05-25
- Description: Topics include the good health of everyone except Tilton Sleeper, the hope of taking Richmond from the rebels, and the good weather near Cool Harbor, Virginia.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
- Date Created: 1863-03-14
- Description: Hitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a Brattleboro newspaper (title unknown); a new "conscript act" (Conscription Act: passed by the Union in late February and signed by Lincoln in March, 1863); preparations for summer and the anticipation of a large shipment of ice; officers busy with a Court Martial; and the continued good health of the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-05-10
- Description: Farnham relates the impression the 1st Regiment made on citizens of Troy, NY and finally New Yorkers, both in public and in the press. Apparently, it was "the biggest and toughest looking regiment" seen in New York. Concludes letter with a few domestic concerns. Mentions daughter Laura's letter "in the Times" (probably Burlington Times).
- 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
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
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1865-02-19
- Description: Topic include spending time with General Grant, speculating about the war, interaction between the Union and Rebel pickets, story about a particular rebel deserter that brings hope to Rutherford about the nearing conclusion of the war, reference to Dr. Thayer & his complimentary opinion of Rutherford, telling to a long absence (absent with out leave?) of a doctor that may lead to an opening for advancement for Rutherford.
- 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: 1862-09-06
- Description: Topics include the regiment marching towards Harpers Ferry, the regiment disheartened to being ordered to retreat, loss of much equipment and people left behind in the hospital, the destruction of supplies left behind, their hard march to current location, the brief mention of a "heavy battles". (Maryland Campaign Sept 3-15, 1862). Reference to prisoners being paroled.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence