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 77 Records
Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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- Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
- Date Created: 1861-11-09
- Description: Topics include the cold nights and the toll it takes and Wheelock G. Veazey’s responsibilities in camp.
- 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: 1862-01-21
- Description: Veazey expresses his deep passion and love for his wife, Julia, writes about his picket duty last night in deep mud, possible movement of the Regiment, and officers’ wives.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
Ransom W. Towle to Friends
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- Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-06-08
- Description: Writing seven miles from Richmond, Virginia topics include the mention of the Chickahominy River, a prediction of a battle and a description of skirmishes.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Laura
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1863-05-22
- Description: Topics include small disturbances by the rebels nightly, the discussion of discharges, the death of Jenny (a horse?), the very hot weather, mentioning of Mr. Batchelder giving money as needed, horses Burnie and White Face improving in health, reference to Mr. Chamberlin living at the house & the desire to have him leave if he is willing before Farnham returns home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Charles F. Bancroft to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
- Date Created: 1861-12-31
- Description: Topics include picket guard, description of camp life, and a prediction of the future of the war.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1862-07-31
- Description: Topics include order from General Pope that force the regiment to find their own meat which they do by confiscating cattle from the countryside, Union troops being flung insults from the Southern women, pickets firing at the rebels, a careless discharge of a revolver caused a fifer to have two injured fingers on his right hand amputated by Surgeon Hall, and the capture of the Confederate Lady Rebel Spy Belle Boyd.
- 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: 1863-04-26
- Description: A reconnaissance in force made by General [Michael] Corcoran, while Barney was part of the reserve left behind. Writes of rifle pits, his lack of sleep, being part of a labor party building a fort, of the area’s fortifications, of a sharpshooter who kept firing at his company until driven off by a 12 pounder shot, of prisoners taken, casualties, mud and sending money home.
- 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: 1863-11-08
- Description: Barney writes of visiting New Bern with Dr. Carpenter, and lists his purchases with the prices. He also writes of visiting all the pickets using a large carriage captured from a Secessionist. As well he responds to a question from his wife about his religious views.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
- Date Created: 1863-09-10
- Description: Lyman Barton writes of the movements of his Brigade and mentions that the Regiment has received 166 conscripts and that all but one are substitutes. He also mentions that he is unwell.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-10-28
- Description: Brief letter reveals a sense of humor among the officers (General Morris) regarding picket responsibilities of the division officer of the day ; word of advancing Rebels had the pickets on alert ; but Rebels only scavenging after railroad iron ; railroad being repaired ; 10th Vermont complimented by General French.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence