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 911 - 920 of 1339 Records
Henry A. Smith to Family
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-10-04
- Description: Topics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the soldiers have to pay for them.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Family
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-10-11
- Description: From camp near Alexandria, Va topics include the bad weather, the continuous firing of shots from the Washington Navy Yard, enjoys watching the new recruits, the prediction that Lant Blake will not live, still requesting boots and apples.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Mother
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-11-20
- Description: Writing from Chantilla, Virginia topics include the anticipation of receiving a package from home. Box directed to the camp at Alexandria for a few items were sent on to his current location.Mentions his good health and that he often feels better out scouting than when he stays in camp. States fellow Vermonter taken prisoner. Inquires about folks and activities at home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1863-02-06
- Description: A short letter thanking his mother for the box she sent. Although generally satisfied with the food, he wishes the requested socks had arrived as well. He adds a brief correction: "We do not belong to Burnsides Army but belong to the defences of Washington." Weather in February has been bad, and March will probably be just as bad.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: [1861-09-16]
- Description: Spafford writes from Brattleboro of the possibility of his sister and Lizzie visiting him before departure, of his time consuming duties as Orderly, of Captain A's wife already having come for a visit.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1861-09-20
- Description: Spafford writes of possible leave from Brattleboro on September 21, 1861, of giving George all his things except his overcoat that he will keep with him, of his desire to see his sister.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1861-12-15
- Description: Topics include winter quarters in a pine woods, officers to have log cabins, he using the Captain's tent with plenty of bed clothes, inquiries about home, seeks opinion of the war from home, sending hard crackers home, poor writing ink.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-01-15
- Description: Written to his sister from his camp in Virginia, topics include description of a large foraging expedition, getting mumps, and rumors about Captain Henry B. Atherton.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-03-30
- Description: Still writing from the Mansion House Hospital, topics include listening to the rattling of the soldiers' swords as they pass on the sidewalk outside the hospital, commenting on the number of regiments going down the river, and news of home.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-04-20
- Description: Writing from the Mansion House Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia a very brief note to his sister of leaving for Washington and not for her to write to him again at this address.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence