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 861 - 870 of 1338 Records
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-04-10
- Description: Letter head contains a red emblem with star and shield. Topics include arriving at Camp Hamilton, other regiments and companies in the area, getting used to sleeping outside again, getting tents set up, food less available but oysters plentiful, hopes he will begin receiving letters from his wife, since the Regiment has settled into camp.
- 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: 1863-05-09
- Description: Topics include leveling Rebel fortifications after a retreat by the Confederate Army, rumors about General Hooker’s movements, praise for Vermont troops in the New York newspapers, worry about the safety of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney, and the results of foraging by his company. He also writes of hiring a “darkey” to help carry his luggage while on march, meeting a cousin in the 118th New York Regiment, 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: 1863-05-10
- Description: Topics include camp life with tents being combined to make larger living quarters, having a Sunday sermon preached, the high cost of food, and orders to be ready to march immediately, with three days rations. He also mentions that General Wistar has taken command of the Brigade, and how proud he is of his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney.
- 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: 1863-08-23
- Description: Laments of trying to write the letter with other officers having a conversation around him, of the heat which curtails his exercise, and of having a photograph taken of his dark bay horse, Frank, and his contraband boy, both of whom he hopes to take back to Swanton as well as a little white dog for his children Carrie and Fred. He also writes of “Jewettville,” the negro contraband village, named after Lt. Jewett also known as Slabtown.
- 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: 1863-09-13
- Description: Barney writes of the monotony of camp life in the fort and his wish for more action. Reflects on how the Rebels must see the hopelessness of their cause, mentions wishing to go to Charlestown, Va to help win the city and of the weather is getting cooler, but the many men still sick. Is glad Maria is enjoying the outdoor excursions of fishing and riding.
- 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: 1863-10-11
- Description: Barney writes that the Regiment will soon be moving to North Carolina because of the sickness at Fort Yorktown. He spends the rest of the letter assuring his wife that he does not drink liquor.
- 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: 1863-12-06
- Description: Topics include wishing he could come home on leave, noticing that his brother, Colonel Elisha Barney, was home on leave as seen in the Burlington Times, and naming the members of the recruiting party who were returning to Vermont and carrying Major [Charles] Jarvis’ body with them on the steamer. As well he mentions visiting Beaufort, dining with the commander of the sub-district, of planning a hunting party, of sending money home with thoughts of maybe purchasing land.
- 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: 1864-01-20
- 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: 1864-02-25
- 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: 1864-03-06
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence