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 971 - 980 of 1339 Records
John W. Merriam to Friend Samantha
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- Creator: Merriam, John W., d. 1863.
- Date Created: 1862-09-04
- Description: Writing from Algiers, La. topics include the false report of Justus's death and an attack by 1500 Rebels on a train leaving Desallemands and heading for Algiers that left 30 to 40 soldiers wounded or killed.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
William Bruidnell and Francis Finnegan to William Wirt Henry
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- Creator: Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan.
- Date Created: 1862-08-09
- Description: Topics include a request for pay amounting to $116 and an update on the leaders of the Vermont Regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
[Lamuay] to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: [Lamuay].
- Date Created: 1861-05-25
- Description: Topics include errors in Colonel Phelps' rolls and a special order allowing Colonel Phelps to decide where the 1st Regiment Vermont Volunteer Militia will camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
[Harry N.] Worthen to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Worthen, Harry N.
- Date Created: 1861-06-02
- Description: Writes from Camp Butler, Newport News, Virginia. Topics include a report of the hospital and a list of names of the sick men and names of the steward and attendants. Mentions Fort Monroe, the unsanitary conditions of the hospital, how the sick men have been neglected by the steward and attendants.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, W. C.
- Date Created: 1861-11-25
- Description: Topics include Lt. Adjt. W. C. Holbrook of the 4th Vermont Regiment requesting from Captain Mundee an order to report to Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps at Old Point, Virginia as Aid de Camp.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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- Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
- Date Created: 1862-07-27
- Description: Topics include the President calling for 300,000 additional troops, the wish that the National Government will develop a decisive policy to "proclaim war to the knife," and a description of Frederick Holbrook's son Major Will. Holbrook continues to express his admiration for Phelps and offer him greater forces to command.
- 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: 1861-05-05
- Description: Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
- 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: 1861-05-18
- Description: Topics include the safety of the fort; definition of "columbiad" (delivers 10-inch cannonball); living arrangements (Willard Hotel); officers' food versus soldiers' food; daily drill and men's complaints; several lines about health concerns, children's health, not getting mail, and correct mailing address. Names: Pickett, John Prichard, Andross, Stearns, Charlie Peters, Mr. Batchelder, Woodstock Company.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Miscellaneous
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- Creator: Phelps, John Wolcott.
- Description: Permission for "the Negro Dawson Speedley" to leave camp. Signed by Col. Phelps.
- 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: 1861-07-04
- Description: Topics include further description of the 4th of July.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence