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 741 - 750 of 1338 Records
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-01-15
- Description: A brief letter discusses the lack of letters received, money sent home via Sutler Geo Skiff, states various soldiers sick including Typhoid fever, some going home due to illness.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-08-17
- Description: The death a soldier due to disease, George Crossett, from Co B. Soldier's father was with him and will take the body to Washington & then return home, the effect it is having on the rest of the men.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1863-08-23
- Description: Letter discusses the sickness of Captain Edwin Dillingham, his probable death if he can’t get a pass home, the pass was lost and Henry’s efforts to get new papers through. He also writes of being in command of the Brigade, and that the command of the Regiment was given to a Captain, because of the sickness of many officers throughout the camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-05-16
- Description: Henry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and that his family should keep up their courage during these “exciting times” and write to him often.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-05-17
- Description: Henry writes that the 10th Vermont is in the same position and waiting for reinforcements. He also writes that he has seen terrible sights but will wait until he is home to tell his family about them. Henry continues the letter with a description of the political infighting in the regiment, caused by Major (Charles G.) Chandler’s objection to the promotion of Captain Edwin B. Frost, which resulted in Governor (J. Gregory) Smith denying all the officers their commissions. Henry writes that he prefer charges against Major Chandler as soon as the Major gets drunk again.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-07-03
- Description: Henry writes of his gratitude for his wife’s patriotic words in her last letter, and that he is pleased with her praise of his courage and hopes he will remain brave. He mentions the Battle of Cold Harbor and that he now has the reputation of a fighting officer, since he led the charge there. He also writes that he is back in command of the regiment again, though his hand is not completely healed, and writes as well of the bravery of the colored troops, which the men call “whitewashed yankees.” At the end of the letter he mentions his sister Delia, who has married a Southern doctor and lives in Kinston, N.C., hoping she can live in peace and has enough to eat.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-12-06
- Description: Henry writes that the Sixth Corps has returned to Petersburg, and the 10th Vermont is camped near General Meade’s Head Quarters and they recently glimpsed General Grant leaving after a meeting. He has not yet been examined by Dr. Hollman, surgeon of the Sixth Corps, but when he is, he will know his fate. He plans on visiting his brother, J. Edwin Henry, who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Vermont Infantry, is hearing rumors but no official word.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1864-12-14
- Description: Henry writes that he has finally been examined by Dr. Hollman, Sixth Corps surgeon, and that he has approved Henry’s medical discharge, so he will be selling his horses and will probably leave for Washington the next day. He writes that his wife should follow the instructions to meet him in New York which he sent in an earlier letter.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1863-06-21
- Description: A short letter informing his mother that the regiment was under marching orders and that he had his picture taken.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
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- Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
- Date Created: 1861-07-10
- Description: Topics include the regiment moving to Virginia.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter