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 1061 - 1070 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Justus F. Gale to Sister

Justus F. Gale to Sister

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Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
Date Created: 1863-03-15
Description: Topics working at the hospital, the lack of letters from family and friends, and his wish for Jeff Davis‚Äô scalp as a Thanksgiving present. He also writes that he is ‚Äúperplexed‚Äù by how the war is being managed.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Justus F. Gale to Sister

Justus F. Gale to Sister

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Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
Date Created: 1863-04-05
Description: Gale writes that he has left the hospital and returned to the 8th Vermont, which is preparing for a move against Port Hudson. He then reminisces about the changes in his family since he enlisted one year before, particulary about the death of his brother, Charlie. As well, he writes of missing his nephew, Herbert, and of a small Louisianian boy who visits the 8th Vermont camp regularly.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Justus F. Gale to Father

Justus F. Gale to Father

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Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
Date Created: 1863-05-13
Description: Gale writes to his father a description of the land through which he is marching, as the Brigade travels up and down the Red River in pursuit of Confederate forces. He also gives a short description of the Battle of Fort Bisland, and then goes on to describe the fresh food available to the soldiers. He encloses with the letter a plate he used to eat lunch on that day, made of the bark of a Sweetgum tree, as most of his equipment had to be left at the camp at Brashear City.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Justus F. Gale to Sister

Justus F. Gale to Sister

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Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
Date Created: 1863-[05-15]
Description: Gale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O‚ÄôMara, on May 14th, and finishes his letter with a complaint against all those to whom he has written who have not yet replied, and gossip about Ira F. Grout of Elmore, Vermont.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence

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: 1862-01-26
Description: Topics include the hardships of camp life, the sickness of Henry Daniels, wishing to be on his way home, selling the Elixir and liniment for twenty five dollars in two days.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

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: 1862-02-14
Description: Topics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up", reference to the fall of Roanoke Island, North Carolina (February 7& 8, 1862) under the leadership of Ambrose Burnside, has sent money home,
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

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: 1862-02-16
Description: Still at Camp Griffin, Va. topics include a love letter to William Henry's wife, the expected discharge of Ned Wells, of himself heading for home even if Wells is not discharged.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to John Henry

William Wirt Henry to John Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-09-01
Description: Topics include the continued sickness of Katie, being mustered into the United States Service, and the commission as Major of the 10th Regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton

Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton

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Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
Date Created: 1863-09-10
Description: Lyman Barton writes of the movements of his Brigade and mentions that the Regiment has received 166 conscripts and that all but one are substitutes. He also mentions that he is unwell.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton

Lyman Barton to Melissa Barton

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Creator: Barton, Lyman, 1839-1936.
Date Created: 1863-12-01
Description: Lyman Barton writes of his return to his regiment after spending time at home on sick leave. He also writes of two men being shot for desertion from his regiment, one from his own company. Both men were drafted and he tells the story of the wife of one man coming to camp after his execution, of her being told the news of his death by the company cook, of Portsmouth newspaper reports on Gen Grant and Gen Meade's capture of Rebel prisoners, of comfortable tent to live in with stove.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Barton Family Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War