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.

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4 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865). 3 Fort Monroe (Va.). 3 Newport (N.C.). 3 Postal service. 3 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864). 2 Armed Forces -- Officers. 2 Draft -- United States. 2 Food. 2 New Bern (N.C.). 2 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects. 2 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866). 2 War casualties. 1 Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862. 1 Brandy Station (Va.). 1 Butler(Benjamin Franklin) Mr 1818-1893. 1 Confederate States of America Army. 1 Contraband of war. 1 Courts-martial and courts of inquiry -- United States. 1 EarlyJubal Anderson 1816-1894. 1 Fort Pike (La.). 1 Harpers Ferry (W. Va.). 1 Hopewell (Va.) -- City Point. 1 Merrimack (Frigate). 1 Military chaplains. 1 Military deserters. 1 Military discharge. 1 Military leaves and furloughs. 1 Military pay. 1 Monitor (Ironclad). 1 Morehead City (N.C.). 1 MosbyJohn Singleton 1833-1916. 1 Photographs. 1 Prisoners of war. 1 Promotions, Military. 1 Reporters and reporting. 1 Ripley, James W. (James Wolfe) 1794-1870. 1 Skirmishing. 1 Soldiers -- Alcohol use. 1 Suffolk (Va.). 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Conscientious objectors. 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music. 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women. 1 United States Army -- Surgeons. 1 United States Army of the Potomac. 1 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865). 1 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865). 1 Vicksburg (Miss.). 1 Washington (D.C.). 1 Yorktown (Va.).

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Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers
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    • Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
    • Date Created: 1864-02-18
    • Description: Writes of substitute soldiers deserting after being paid, of Mosby assisting the deserters, mentions the Confederate pirate sloop ship the Alabama (documented as being sunk in June 1864) and of photographs (ambrotype), of mail being robbed.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence
    Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
    William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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      • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
      • Date Created: 1864-12-04
      • Description: On board steamboat, Matilda, writes that he has had to move with the Sixth Corps but does not know destination, did not get his papers in quickly enough and the Sixth Corps surgeon wanted to examine his personally, but he hopes to have his discharge soon.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
      Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
      Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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        • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
        • Date Created: 1863-08-22
        • Description: Writing from New York City, Williams recounts trip via train and steamboat from Warrenton, Va to the city. Purpose of the trip is thought to be to enforce the draft. Accident involving the steamboat and a schooner en route resulted in two men killed and one lost overboard. Military pay received spent partly on weapons to give to the officers out of respect.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
        Miniature of William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
        William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
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          • Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
          • Date Created: 1862-07-01
          • Description: Writing to his father, Gov. Holbrook, from the steamer, Morning Sight near Vicksburg topics include asking if he can have a battery to command, mentions Fort Pike, the desire to join the artillery service, the hope to be given captaincy, and the slow bombardments by the rebels but there was an attack by 3000 Confederates thinking to board the Union mortar boats only to be beaten back when fired upon.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
          Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
          Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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            • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
            • Date Created: 1863-09-07
            • Description: Williams has left NYC via steamboat, Rip Van Winkle and thought to be on way to Albany, NY ; had a chance to visit with friends ; draft continued with no trouble but threats were made to burn the city if the draft was brought to NYC.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence
            Miniature of William C. Holbrook to Frank
            William C. Holbrook to Frank
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              • Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
              • Date Created: 1862-11-21
              • Description: To his brother Frank, William writes of the findings of the Court of Inquiry that was held by General Butler regarding the conduct of the 7th Vt. Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Baton Rouge in August; his decided opinion of a soldier's unreliable word; his expectation of having comfortable living quarters in Pensacola as his regiment has moved there (to which he adds he well deserves as he has lived in "bush houses long enough"); mentions the steamer Cumbria and of his having a fever for the past several days.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
              Miniature of William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
              William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
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                • Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
                • Date Created: 1862-11-25
                • Description: From New Orleans to his father Gov. Holbrook, William writes of the arrival of Dr. Langdon and Dr. Foster with Chaplain Hopkins on the steamer McClellan; of news that they bring regarding the government adhering to its bargain; his praise of these men; the regiment residing at Pensacola, his recommendation of distinguishing between the assistant surgeons just in case the positions are ever vacant (thus leaving him in a delicate position at some point) and the expectation to receive orders to head North.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence
                Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
                Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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                  • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                  • Date Created: 1863-10-27
                  • Description: Topics include attempting to take a steamer, John Rice, with 8 companies to New Bern, North Carolina, encountering bad weather, and being forced to return to Fort Monroe. He also writes of the death of one young soldier from Company A, Austin Kennedy, and the death by drowning of another soldier, Vilas Smith of Marshfield.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
                  Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
                  Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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                    • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
                    • Date Created: 1863-10-30
                    • Description: A short letter to let his wife know he has arrived in Morehead City, N.C., they are waiting for railroad cars to take them to the Newport barracks. He is writing while waiting for his breakfast with a dozen other men, also writing letters.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
                    Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
                    William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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                      • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
                      • Date Created: 1864-07-09
                      • Description: Henry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper‚Äôs Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early‚Äôs advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away from Petersburg.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence