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 41 - 50 of 107 Records
Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow
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- Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
- Date Created: 1863-09-26
- Description: Topics include the journey from Alexandria to Culpeper, Virginia by sail and marching, the food in camp and the regiment being used as a reserve.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1862-06-19
- Description: Topics include the march to camp in Brattleboro, having very good tents that helped keep the overnight rain from getting him wet and hopes to be home in about a week.
- 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: 1863-04-22
- Description: Topics include the constant fire of gunboats, batteries, and sharpshooters, being in command of 5 companies while on picket duty, orders to be ready to march at a minutes notice and the food he is able to purchase. He also expresses his opinion that the Rebels will not be willing to engage the Union troops because of their numbers (30,000).
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Hiram H. Barton to [Melissa Barton]
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- Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903.
- Date Created: 1862-09-11
- Description: Topics include the journey from Harrisons Landing to Fort Monroe, a fight at Bulls Run (aka 2nd Manassas), and the deaths of Thomas Covil and Lyman Morhouse.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Theodore Barton to Sister
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- Creator: Barton, Theodore.
- Date Created: 1862-09-29
- Description: Topics include the journey from Harrison's Landing to Boliver via Newport News and Alexandria. Names several wounded and deceased soldiers, perhaps known by his sister. Concludes with a somewhat gruesome description of "picnic."
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Justus F. Gale to Friends
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-05-04
- Description: Topics include packing up to march most likely towards New Orleans, the occupation of New Orleans by the Union troops, thinking the war will be over soon.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Family
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-04-20
- Description: Topics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an encounter with the rebels that resulted in three rebel deaths and two rebel prisoners, getting pay.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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- Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
- Date Created: 1862-02-18
- Description: Topics include the warm, muddy weather, the success of the Burnsides Expedition, the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, and the possibility of either marching to Manassas and on to Richmond or back to Vermont.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
Edward P. Stone to Family
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- Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
- Date Created: 1862-11-15
- Description: Writes how he and other chaplains are discouraged as their duties as ministers often can not be done as the men are often marching ; difficult to constantly hear profanity ; seeks prayers from folks at home, a caution at the end of the letter to not print this but perhaps convey his sentiments in other ways.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-06-28
- Description: Four days of marching have left the men foot sore and exhausted & he writes of the hardships and consequences of men not being able to keep up. Tells of a mishap with an officer and his horse, of the men picking up stray horses, of the men cooking for themselves, of butchered cattle for fresh beef, mention of Mrs. Capt. Williams and Mrs. Damon, moving towards Hagarstown and no expectation for a fight.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence