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 91 - 100 of 120 Records

Miniature of Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith

Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith

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Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1863-05-17
Description: Topics include the leafing out of fruit trees, another skirmish with Mosby‚Äôs raiders, and his skepticism about news of the war.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother

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Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896.
Date Created: 1861-07-28
Description: Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Correspondence of Benjamin F. Parmenter

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

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: 1863-07-21
Description: Letter discusses the movement of his Regiment and the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment. As well he comments on the draft in Vermont and his hope that his wife‚Äôs brother, Charles L. Beebe will not pass his physical examination, and how odd it was that none of the ‚Äúboys from the shop‚Äù were drafted. Henry refers to the $300 fee one could pay to either not be drafted or to get a substitute, a loophole in the draft law that favored the wealthy.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

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Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
Date Created: 1861-07-21
Description: Topics include a description of a riot Wheelock G. Veazey was in charge of dissipating because of the absence of Colonel Hyde.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

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Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
Date Created: 1861-08-14
Description: Topics include the cold weather in camp and one of the corporals cutting off his thumb.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

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Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
Date Created: 1861-08-18
Description: Topics include plans to capture a company in Virginia, the danger the Capitol is in according to General Smith, and the preventative steps being taken to protect it.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey

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Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
Date Created: [1861]-11-23
Description: Topics include the disappointment about the week passing without an attack and on a personal note Wheelock G. Veazey‚Äôs feelings of jealousy concerning his wife.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard

Wheelock G. Veazey to Albin Beard

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Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
Date Created: [1861-10-06]
Description: Topics include the cleanliness of the camp and the arrival of Wheelock G. Veazey‚Äôs horse.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Family

Ransom W. Towle to Family

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: [1862]-01-20
Description: Towle writes from his Virginia camp to his parents and sister on the mud while out on picket duty, fearfulness of some of the soldiers, list of items to send from home including a reference to his much needed new boots, sickness and deaths in the Regiment, and news of the Rochester boys.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle

Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-02-27
Description: A brief letter to his parents from Camp Griffin in Virginia of marching orders with three days rations and the hope to encounter the Rebels. He makes a brief reference to Brigade surgeon Dr. Phelps. Towle expresses his dismay that the troops in the west are fighting and gaining glory while the army of the Potomac lays idle.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War