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 631 - 640 of 1339 Records
Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910.
- Date Created: 1862-05-28
- Description: Topics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was the Battle of Hanover Court House, 18 miles north of Richmond, on May 27th, 1862. Mentions the appointment of Col. George J. Stannard to lead the Vt. 9th Regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893.
- Date Created: 1862-06-08
- Description: Topics include camping at Harrison's Landing, Virginia on the James River, makes reference to regiments and companies losing men, the names of men wounded and their injuries in Company D, makes reference to a battle (maybe Battle of Seven Pines [Fair Oaks]??), several officers resigning, the high cost of food, and the slight sickness of Ira Marshall.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Edward Murphy to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Murphy, Edward.
- Date Created: 1862-07-21
- Description: Writing from camp at Westover Landing, Virginia topics include trying to convince William Henry to come join Company D in the 2nd Regiment, mentions officers resigning and hopes to take Richmond by the end of the summer.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Thomas H. Halsey to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Halsey, Thomas H.
- Date Created: 1861-09-05
- Description: Topics include John Wolcott Phelps' pay as Colonel for the 1st Vermont Volunteers and as Brigadier General once he accepts the position.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
[C. W.] Seaton to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Seaton, C. W.
- Date Created: 1861-11-09
- Description: Topics include the nomination of Governor Holbrook for the Lieut-Colonelcy of the 1st Regiment Berdan's Sharp Shooters and John Wolcott Phelps' opinion of nominating Captain Ripley of Rutland for the position instead.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-03-06
- Description: In his letter to General Phelps, Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont (1861-1863), expresses his admiration for several Union officers from Vermont and his pride in the 8th Vt. Regiment. He informs the general that two infantry regiments and two artillery companies are ready to serve. (This is about one month before the Union attack on New Orleans, launched in part from Ship Island, just off the coast of Mississippi.) Holbrook explains that they would have been sent a month earlier "had Government been ready with funds." He looks forward to seeing Phelps again after the war.
- 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: 1861-06-01
- Description: Topics include the food that the soldiers eat, and that pilfering from local farms--even "secessionist"--is forbidden. Farnham assures his wife that newspaper reports of the war are highly exaggerated. A rebel attack is unlikely before they return to Vt. A German scouting party caused a stir with an accidental gun discharge. Col. Phelps assigns Farnham a camp security position--provost marshall. One concern is the slaves that have just left their masters, who arrive at Ft. Monroe with food to sell but may also be spies. The able-bodied are put to work; all others are considered for deportation to Liberia. Names: Officers Phelps, Peckett; Everett Shaw.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Joseph Legar to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Legar, Joseph.
- Date Created: 1861-06-27
- Description: Topics include trying to save Isaac Jones' property.
- 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: 1861-08-08
- Description: Topics include Roswell writing from Camp Phelps in Brattleboro informing his wife that the Regiment has arrived in Vermont safely and will soon be home.
- 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: 1861-08-13
- Description: Topics include Roswell informing his wife that he will most likely be home on Thursday, August 15th, 1861, of the returning home troops marching through the streets.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence