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 1311 - 1320 of 1338 Records

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: 1863-03-31
Description: A brief letter stating that a hand carved laurel wood pipe with Masonic symbols on it given to Veazey from a wounded soldier, mentions his puppy Jeff is growing big, words of love to Julia and wondering what they will name their baby.
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 and Friends

Ransom W. Towle to Family and Friends

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-02-02
Description: Towle writes of missing his newspaper and his wish to remain informed on both foreign and army news and of some of the men's morale writing home about the hardships of war and a desire to see it end. He writes of Col. Stoughton resignation, of officers' wives attending the camp's religious service and how the service differs from the traditional church worship.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

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Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
Date Created: 1861-10-12
Description: Topics include advancing on the Rebels to Prospect Hill, a battle at Hatteras Inlet where the Rebels lost many men, and two Rebels at Camp Advance that were taken prisoners. Reference to Gen. Scott, to Bull Run, to plenty of chestnuts available to eat. Also mentions the opinion that many believe the war will be short (six months)
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]

Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-06-18
Description: Towle writes from the field near Richmond, Va on heavy firing between Union gun boats on James River and Fort Darlin, an exchange of fire with the enemy, the seemingly deterioration of Gen. McClellan's appearance and the arrest of Colonel Stoughton for not turning out with his regiment to in line of battle.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

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Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
Date Created: 1862-05-07
Description: Topics include a description of the Union Victory since that at Yorktown, which may include the Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Warren Williams

Lyman S. Williams to Warren Williams

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Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
Date Created: 1861-10-07
Description: Topics include the election of officers.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Papers of Lyman S. Williams

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks

Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks

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Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus.
Date Created: 1861-06-04
Description: First letter is from Governor Erastus Fairbanks writing from St Johnsbury, Vt. Topic includes scandalous reports of officers in the 1st Regiment regarding the neglect of sick soldiers by the surgeon and assistant surgeon in military hospital. Second letter to the Gov. from Danl. Roberts writes of the sources of the reports and that the matter requires investigation.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps

E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps

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Creator: Morse, E. A.
Date Created: 1861-08-22
Description: Topics include rations for the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia for May 23rd to August 8th, processing routine, the offering of the position of Quartermaster in the 4th Vermont Regiment, writer's decline of the position.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps

Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps

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Creator: Holbrook, Frederick.
Date Created: 1861-08-27
Description: Topics include John Wolcott Phelps being promoted to Brigadier General by President Lincoln and the Senate, as well as a state election (held first Tuesday in September) for which Frederick Holbrook is running for governor. Holbrook mentions again his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Leavitt Hunt to John Wolcott Phelps

Leavitt Hunt to John Wolcott Phelps

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Creator: Hunt, Leavitt.
Date Created: 1861-10-05
Description: Topics include Mr. Cutts of Brattleboro and Leavitt Hunt asking Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to write a recommendation for a friend who was hoping to receive a Colonelcy position so as to raise a regiment in Vermont. Writer mentions the Army in the Potomac with 80,000 men on the other side of the river. Written from the Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War