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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Showing 1 - 10 of 18 Records

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6 Military camps -- Virginia. 6 United States Army -- Military life. 5 Families of military personnel. 3 Armed Forces -- Officers. 3 Diseases. 3 Picketing. 3 Promotions, Military. 3 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns. 2 Prisoners of war. 2 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865). 2 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865). 2 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865). Company B. 2 War casualties. 1 Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862. 1 Battle casualties. 1 Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862. 1 Camp Douglas (Ill.). 1 Confederate States of America Army. 1 Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862. 1 FarnhamRoswell 1827-1903. 1 Food. 1 Freedmen. 1 McClellan George Brinton 1826-1885. 1 Military camps -- Maryland. 1 Military deserters. 1 Military hospitals. 1 Military pay. 1 Morale. 1 Operational rations (Military supplies). 1 Peninsular Campaign, 1862. 1 Photographers. 1 Photographs. 1 PopeJohn 1822-1892. 1 Postal service. 1 Religion. 1 Ship Island (Miss.). 1 Soldiers -- Alcohol use. 1 Soldiers -- Suicidal behavior. 1 Stannard, George Jerrison 1820-1886. 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties. 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Flags. 1 United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care. 1 United States Army -- Flags. 1 United States Army -- Surgeons. 1 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865). 1 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863). 1 United States Army. Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865). 1 Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.

18 text
Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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    • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
    • Date Created: 1863-06-02
    • Description: Topics include being field officer of the day, ride with Col. Blunt to Wolf Run Shoals, sutler tent torn down by the men & some supplies drank & eaten, a raid by the rebels on the railroad and the destruction of the train with rebels' artillery being taken by Union soldiers, and the hope that Colonel Andross and Stearns will come out to Union Mills.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
    Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
    Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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      • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
      • Date Created: 1862-03-06
      • Description: Spafford writes of difficulty of getting postage stamps in the correct amount needed to mail letters home and that the prepared rations ordered for possible march on Feb 27th were consumed in camp.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
      Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
      Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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        • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
        • Date Created: 1862-11-20
        • Description: Farnham writes from Camp Vermont about preparations for his wife, Mary's visit to camp, about how comfortable their dwelling will be, how he will meet up with her once she arrives, reference to a new sutler, and mentions other wives coming to visit.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham 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: 1862-02-23
          • Description: Topics include a travel route planned to return home via Annapolis, Brattleboro and maybe even Burlington, the capture of 18 Rebel prisoners near Fairfax, and the hope of one of the wounded prisoners, a Virginian, to retake the oath to become a citizen of the United States again, reference to a Flag of Truce to send a letter to the Confederate Army, his side business doing poorly as the men have expected orders to move and the Sutlers not buying for the same reason.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence
          Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
          Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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            • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
            • Date Created: 1861-10-30
            • Description: October 30, 1861. Topics include the postponement of a review of the Army of the Potomac, the numerous regiments at Camp Griffin, Virginia, a prediction of a move to Vienna after a naval strike, requests for stocking yarn, sealing wax and two sealing stamps, a daguerreotype photographer to travel with the regiment, mentions pay, the need to purchase shoes, going to the sutler for butter, general health of the men, praises the surgeon,
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
            Miniature of Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
            Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft
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              • Creator: Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930.
              • Date Created: 1862-06-19
              • Description: Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
              Miniature of Lyman Barton to Sister
              Lyman Barton to Sister
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                • Creator: Barton, Lyman.
                • Date Created: 1862-11-25
                • Description: Topics include an account of the Battle of Antetam [sic], the cold weather, the high prices of goods at camp, and reports on the health of other soldiers and family members.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence
                Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
                Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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                  • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
                  • Date Created: 1861-10-23
                  • Description: Writes of muddy conditions at Camp Griffin, Virginia, of seeing Gen. Davis from Cavendish, of learning George is to be married, of being still in good health, of having gone out scouting but seeing no Rebels, asks about Thanksgiving in Vermont, meals of wheat bread and coffee, getting butter from sutler to enhance his meal.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
                  Miniature of Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
                  Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
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                    • Creator: Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910.
                    • Date Created: 1862-05-28
                    • Description: Topics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was the Battle of Hanover Court House, 18 miles north of Richmond, on May 27th, 1862. Mentions the appointment of Col. George J. Stannard to lead the Vt. 9th Regiment.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry 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: 1863-01-15
                      • Description: A brief letter discusses the lack of letters received, money sent home via Sutler Geo Skiff, states various soldiers sick including Typhoid fever, some going home due to illness.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence