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 1 - 6 of 6 Records
Theodore Barton to Melissa Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Theodore, 1842-1926.
- Date Created: 1863-01-25
- Description: Theodore Lyman writes of seeing his brother Lyman, Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, who is camped only two miles away. He also writes of the attempt by General Burnside to cross the Rappahannock and how the Confederate soldiers jeered and set up a sign saying “Burnside stuck in the mud.”
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
Lyman Barton to Hiram Barton
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- Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
- Date Created: 1863-05-01
- Description: Lyman Barton writes a detailed description of the capture of the Confederate battery at Hill’s Point on May 19, 1863, when his company and six others from the 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment and eight companies of the 89th New York Infantry Regiment boarded the U.S.S. Stepping Stones and traveled up the Nansemond River to assault the rifle pits and fort.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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- Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
- Date Created: 1862-[09]-17
- Description: A brief letter telling of marching to the Maryland side of the Potomac River, guarding the river from Senaca Creek to Edwards Ferry, of a victory against the rebels, of having a horse to ride to enjoy the countryside and fresh vegetables to eat.
- 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: 1862-09-20
- Description: Topics include reflecting on Katie's death and William Henry being in command of five companies and five miles of the Potomac River along Seneca Creek.
- 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: 1862-10-05
- Description: Topics include being at camp at Seneca Locks, Md., sorrow over the death of his sister, how he likes being the major of the regiment, guarding a supply depot on the Potomac canal, and a religious service by the regimental chaplain.
- 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: 1863-09-21
- Description: Letter written in the field discusses marching, the movement of the Army of the Potomac to the Rapidan River in the hope that there will be some form of action soon, Henry in new camp near Culpeper, Virginia, on the Pike to Sulphur Springs, possible move to Gordonsville where it is believed Lee's army is, the sickness of several members of Company B, receiving military pay.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence