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 501 - 510 of 1338 Records

Draft of Official Statement
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    • Date Created: 1864-07-06
    • Description: Topics include an account of a situation involving Colonel Bulavsky and Major Alden that lead to the recommendation of a ‚ÄúCourt of Inquiry‚Äù being held.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence


    Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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      • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
      • Date Created: 1862-08-30
      • Description: Dr. Rutherford writes a very brief letter from Brattleboro about his improving health and about his expected appearance in a grand inspection that morning by Governor Frederick Holbrook.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


      Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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        • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
        • Date Created: 1863-02-03
        • Description: From White's Ford, MD topics include Rutherford in charge of hospital while Dr. Willard Augustus Childe returns home to get married, sickness among the men less than in other regiments, a visit from the Inspector General with excellent reports on how he runs his department, expresses his anger and outrage at the complaining of people back home about having to pay taxes because of the war.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


        Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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          • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
          • Date Created: 1863-03-31
          • Description: Topics include ways to help deal with small pox and keeping the face from pitting, how Rutherford entertains himself in camp that includes reading, writing and playing card game Euchre, the treatment of a secessionist, Mr. Trundle, for erysipelas (infection and redness of the skin) with the result that Rutherford is even more well respected by fellow officers, meeting Dr. Willard Augustus Childe's new wife, reference to a black regiment.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


          Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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            • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
            • Date Created: 1863-04-16
            • Description: A brief letter saying the regiment not being required to move quite yet, glad not to have been marching in foul weather, military pay expected in a day or two, his medical duties of visiting the right and left wings of the regiment.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


            Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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              • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
              • Date Created: 1863-06-07
              • Description: Topics include Hannah not yet in the new house and Rutherford anxious for her comfort, having a very pleasant officer's life visiting with Dr. Childe, his wife and other officers, Mrs. Childe to entertain by singing, mentions they being stationed at the extreme outpost for the defense of Washington, D.C., description of a medical account to Mr. Coburn by Rutherford for neutering Coburn's cat, fresh beef and berries in the area for eating, and the health of the children.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


              Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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                • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
                • Date Created: 1863-07-03
                • Description: Writing in the field on the railroad line at Frederick Junction, Maryland (June 30 to July 1) ; topics include being with the 3rd Army Corps under Gen. French, days of rainy weather, having to sleep out doors with only a rubber blanket, put in charge of 3000 men, troops assigned to defend a bridge crossing the Manoray River and hearing the distant sound of cannon (perhaps Pickett's Charge as part of the Battle of Gettysburg)
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


                Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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                  • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
                  • Date Created: 1863-07-29
                  • Description: Writing in the field near Warrenton, Virginia topics include the importance of receiving letters from home, morale kept up by sharing bits of news from home with each other in spite of the hardships in camp, reference to several commanding officers including French, Elliot, Morris, General George Meade, his hearsay knowledge of the drunkenness of Gen. Joseph Hooker, of receiving a home newspaper with one of his letters printed in it.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


                  Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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                    • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
                    • Date Created: 1863-10-05
                    • Description: Topics include a reference to Rutherford‚Äôs birthday earlier in the month, reflections on his children, Joseph, Jacob & Kittie & their individual personalities & attention needed, needing flannel shirts, grateful knitted socks are being made for him, and acknowledging money sent finally arriving home.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence


                    Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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                      • Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
                      • Date Created: 1863-10-13
                      • Description: In the field writing on a drum in the hot sun, topics include having completed a long march to his position near Washington, the proximity to the enemy, the expectation of a battle, the men prepared and eager seemingly having become desensitized to danger and death as they chat with one another and even sleep.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence