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 1091 - 1100 of 1338 Records

Miniature of Henry A. Smith to Family

Henry A. Smith to Family

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Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-09-11
Description: From camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels, praise of McClellan, reference to Bull Run, John Pope and some of the other men who have been wounded.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Henry A. Smith to Family

Henry A. Smith to Family

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Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-11-06
Description: Two letters dated Nov 6 and Nov 11.Topics include a skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, Henry Smith out riding the rebels thus avoiding almost being captured, a number of Union soldiers captured, lots of honey and fowl to eat and the burning of Haymarket.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

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 Henry A. Smith to Frances E. Smith

Henry A. Smith to Frances E. Smith

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Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1864-02-28
Description: Short note written to tell his sister that he has been moved to the hospital in Richmond and that he is sick with dysentery. Henry died the next day.
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 Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford

Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford

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Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
Date Created: 1861-09-15
Description: Spafford writes from Camp Holbrook in Brattleboro, Vt 4th Vt Vol. M. Atherton Guards to his sister in Upper Falls, Vt. Topics include marching orders for Washington, D.C. on September 16, 1861, of his stolen "valice" (dressing case), of having received military supplies of blankets and forthcoming uniforms and arms.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

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: 1861-09-20
Description: Writes of possible departure soon, of being told men to be mustered into service soon, of confrontation between the Colonel and men to be enlisted, of Guard House being full of men "who had run the Guard".
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

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: 1861-11-04
Description: Topics include Battalion and Regiment drills, having had a photograph taken of him, arrangements for Joseph Spafford's mother and sister to send him items and food from home, has received gloves from home, getting writing materials from the sutler, illness among the men, death from disease, personal family matter, wants lyrics sent to the song "Rock me to sleep".
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers

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: 1864-05-09
Description: Henry writes of heavy engagement of the Vermont 10th in battle and how the regiment has done itself proud. May be referring to Battle of Spotsylvania Court House or the Battle of the Wilderness. Few killed with few wounded from the regiment. One general was killed and another wounded by sharpshooters. Reference to General Grant.
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: 1864-06-20
Description: Henry writes that he has returned to command the 10th Regiment and that many officers are unhappy with the way Lieutenant Colonel Chandler manages the regiment. He also writes that the regiment is being held in reserve at the moment near Petersburgh where the Union troops hold half the city and the Rebels the other half and that it came under fire the previous day, with seven soldiers wounded. Reference to Lt. Col. Chandler & his command & to the loss of Frost & Stetso
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War