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 461 - 470 of 1339 Records
Edward P. Stone to Family
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- Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
- Date Created: 1862-11-20
- Description: Regiment several days marching before reaching camp near the Aquia Creek, names various commanders in charge of the corps, newspaper informed him of the death of General Israel Richardson (wounded in Battle of Antietam in Maryland, Sept. 17, 1862, died Nov. 3, 1862)
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence
Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930.
- Date Created: 1862-06-19
- Description: Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837.
- Date Created: 1861-08-26
- Description: August 26, 1861 from Great Falls Maryland. Writes of furloughs and discharges not being granted without good cause, illness among the men including measles, duty guarding the river, good fishing, having acquired a horse, quarters in an old hotel with creature comforts.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837.
- Date Created: 1861-08-28
- Description: Writes of authority to enlist 40 men, Lt. Hoyt to go to Vermont to recruit instead of Charles Dillingham, need for good men, will try to discharge from the record those men who have died, were ordered to be in light marching order. May be to attack rebel camp across the river at Falls Church, some illness among the men.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Jackman, A.
- Date Created: 1861-05-01
- Description: Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
[Le Grand B. Cannon] to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Cannon, Le Grand B.
- Date Created: 1862-10-15
- Description: Topics include General Phelps returning to Vermont and addressing members of the Legislature. (Phelps resigned his commission Aug. 21, 1862 after Washington rejected his recruitment of African Americans to fight for the Union.) Cannon invites Phelps to visit him to talk about the war.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
- Date Created: 1863-03-02
- Description: Topics include camping outside of Fort Pickens at Camp Stoughton, the good health of the regiment, the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and the ungentleman-like ways the officers act. Hitchcock's mood is fairly upbeat but realistic: predicting the end of the war is difficult; a long expected attack on the island never occurred (indicating a fault in intelligence?); army life is good, but he hopes Phelps can find a better situation for him. Hitchcock mentions the "negro regiment" in charge of Ship Island.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, W. C.
- Date Created: 1863-04-18
- Description: Topics include investigation of the 7th Vermont Regiment's role in the Battle of Baton Rouge, and the suggestion to bring charges against General Butler. The writer, Col. Holbrook, apologizes for not representing the regiment as well as he could have, were he more experienced in the Courts of Inquiry. Holbrook mentions "a good deal of marching and counter marching" in the Baton Rouge area.
- 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: 1861-05-15
- Description: Topics include description of Fort Monroe, including "the big gun" and other armaments; overnight guard duty; being outside the fortress walls; staying in local hotel; good weather, food; low anxiety. Names: John Stearns, John Prichard, David Johnson; Laura, Ezekiel. Ships: Alabama.
- 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: 1861-06-09
- Description: Topics include the duties of Provost Marshall, including the reception of runaway slaves. Mentions alerts for battle and false alarms; and illness within the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence