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 791 - 800 of 1338 Records
A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Browne, A. G.
- Date Created: 1861-10-29
- Description: Topics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the battle of the 21st near Leesburg and flags of truce.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus.
- Date Created: 1862-09-23
- Description: Topics include the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment and the lack of newspaper coverage of the Regiment's positive attributes. The battles in Maryland would include Antietam Creek, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Fairbanks also mentions a rumor of Phelps's resignation, which had indeed occurred in August, 1862. Some thoughts about slavery, government, and the Constitution.
- 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: 1861-05-13
- Description: Farnham is writing from the SS Alabama after arriving safely off the coast of Virginia, at Fort Monroe. Some men are sea-sick, and another has measles. Company was greeted with three cheers by sailors passing by. Farnham called on again to be adjutant because of his demonstrated leadership skills. A few words about friends and acquaintances seen in New York, one being a secessionist.
- 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: 1861-06-11
- Description: Topics include the expected fight at Little Bethel and the battle at Great Bethel, where fewer than fifty men were killed on the Union side. Mentions German Regiment (Col. Bendix) and Duryea's Zouaves. Description of "friendly fire" incident. Excursion proved to be the most exhausting so far.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-06-15
- Description: Topics include a recount of the battle at Great Bethel. Farnham remains critical of press coverage, estimating 90% is inaccurate. Some criticism of Mass. Gen. Pierce (destined to be court-martialed). First taste of battle now having an affect on Farnham and other Vermonters, no doubt.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Battle of Big Bethal, Va June 10th, 1861
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Description: Topics include a map that shows various maneuvers of Farnham's company; inaccuracies in the newspaper account of the Battle of Big Bethel; and various ailments, aches & pains endured during the march.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Report of property found in the several companies of the 1st Vermont Regiment…
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-06-24
- Description: List compiled by Farnham of items found or stolen from citizens by soldiers during a campaign.
- 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: 1861-07-03
- Description: Topics include the celebration of the 4th of July and the health of Farnham and his comrades..
- 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: 1861-07-05
- Description: Topics include an encounter between the Zouaves and Rebels, flap-jacks and doughnuts in camp, an African-American prisoner by the name of Joe Wilson, the probability of not engaging in a fight, and the bugs and mosquitoes at camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Roswell Farnham to Laura
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-07-09
- Description: Topics include Laura's earache and the proximity of Newport News to the enemy.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence