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 891 - 900 of 1339 Records

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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    • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
    • Date Created: 1862-10-09
    • Description: A brief letter mentioning receiving letters from home, that he is in good health, states that folks back home get more regular news updates than he does.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


    William Wirt Henry to John Henry
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      • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
      • Date Created: 1862-10-17
      • Description: Writes of his religious faith, of his wife's "hour of trouble", the regiment being under a new general (Brigadier General Cuvier Grover, III Corps, Army of the Potomac), the resignation of Lieutenant Colonel Edson and the likely promotion of himself from Major to Lt. Col.
      • 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: 1863-01-10
        • Description: A brief letter stating that Henry is now in command of the 10th Vermont, that it is raining, and that he hopes the river at White Ford will rise to make it easier to guard.
        • 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: 1863-02-01
          • Description: Writes from headquarters at White Ford of the weather, the need to inspect the regiment "Conrad's Ferry", a good dinner put on by the officers of the ‚ÄúLeft wing‚Äù of the Regiment, gifts given to Henry by Company H, news of Waterbury men in the Regiment, and his hopes in getting leave to return to Vermont.
          • 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: 1863-04-05
            • Description: Letter discusses snow in camp and delays in moving, diarrhea cures, the Surgeon‚Äôs remedy, and those who have been sick. His desire for a box of goods is also mentioned, as well as what to put in it (including food), especially newspapers and magazines for the men in the Hospital. He also discusses his desire that the family stay healthy this year, as opposed to the last.
            • 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: 1863-04-23
              • Description: Letter discusses the challenges that his wife is having at home, and his advice regarding how she should deal with it. He also mentions the movement of some of the troops, as well as where he has positioned 10th Vt. companies. The death of a secesh (southern sympathizer) friend, Hezekiah W. Trundle (i.e. Trundel?), the funeral attended by Henry, Rutherford and a Capt. Frost at the invitation of the family, as well as his desire to receive the box of food.
              • 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: 1863-05-17
                • Description: Letter discusses a false story in the newspapers about a rebel attack, and he reminds his wife to not worry needlessly. As well, he describes a trip to the theater in Washington with his cousin, Martha Henry Young. Watching for Lee's army, feels that more Union troops are needed in the area. Reference to Capt. Dillingham, Col. Jewett and to photographs other officers of the regiment being sent home. He also mentions money and gifts that he sent home.
                • 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: 1863-06-02
                  • Description: Letter discusses the returned health of their son, possible plans for his family to come and stay with him in camp, and his uncertainty over what he might do when the war is over.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


                  William Wirt Henry to James Edwin Henry
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                    • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
                    • Date Created: 1863-09-11
                    • Description: Quiet now, no action, just picket and drill. Also this letter to his brother, James Edwin Henry, discusses an advertisement for a patent medicine sold by his business in Vermont that is causing problems for their surgeon Dr. Willard A. Childe, and asking that the advertisement be removed. He also writes of a soldier named Justin (possibly Justin Carter), the difficulty he has had in keeping him from being cashiered and of praise from General Meade.
                    • 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: 1864-02-15
                      • Description: Henry writes that he has received his wife‚Äôs letter, explaining why she couldn‚Äôt get on the train, and he commiserates with her about her having the measles. He then goes on to suggest ways in which she might still make the visit to Virginia. He also writes of visiting with Doctor Charles C. Parker, minister of the Waterbury Congregational Church, and of how popular the Doctor is with the officers.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence