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 51 - 60 of 120 Records
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1864-04-10
- Description: Camping in the field near Culpeper, Va. topics include writing articles for home newspapers, disliking the idea of being labeled a "newspaper correspondent", becomes poetic and philosophical reflecting on the current day's beautiful weather, of his deep feelings for receiving letters from home, of his daughter Helen’s progress with writing composition, and Baker and Cuttings visit to camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Charles F. Bancroft to Parents
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- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-12-20
- Description: Topics include items received from home and events surrounding a bottle of brandy that was stolen.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Civil War Correspondence of Charles F. Bancroft
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 Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1862-01-30
- Description: Topics include remaining at Camp Holbrook in Vermont for 4 weeks, grateful to hear from home, food not very good, a rumor of getting paid, and the visitors who watch dress parade.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-07-07
- Description: Written in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn’t nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells fought like a “tiger”, men is good spirits, reflects on Gen. Lee is being defeated.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard, Albin Beard to Wheelock G. Veazey
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- Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898., Beard, Albin.
- Date Created: [1861]-09-08
- Description: Topics include the assignment of Wheelock G. Veazey’s regiment to the post of honor within their division of the army.
- 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]-09-14
- Description: Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey’s position as field officer of the day, the lack of sleep the soldiers are experiencing, and the ease with which the Rebels could attack the Regiment.
- 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-[23]
- Description: Topics include Captain Atherton recruiting for the 4th Vermont Regiment and General Phelps making a “fool” out of himself.
- 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: 1862-01-09
- Description: Topics include military matters (court martial, foraging, picket duty) and disgust with the Congress, administration, government and fears the nation's downfall.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey 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