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.

Showing 161 - 170 of 1338 Records

Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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    • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
    • Date Created: 1861-07-10
    • Description: Topics include encounter between Hawkins Regiment and a company of Rebels, Roswell's desire to "go out whenthe company goes," despite his wife's complaining. Also the weather, camp life, Roswell's eagerness to return home, and an article in the Telegraph titled "Pipes, Tobacco, and Whiskey" are discussed.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


    Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding
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      • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
      • Date Created: 1861-07-21
      • Description: July 21, 1861. Writes to his friend C. H. Harding of conjecture among the men about the order to move out but with no details given, mentions Gen. Butler, Frank Blair, Cochran of New York and 3,500 men reviewed, of some minor illness among the men, of Farnham's re-nomination of State-Attorney.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


      Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
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        • Creator: Morrill, Justin S.
        • Date Created: 1861-07-31
        • Description: House Representative Justin S. Morrill writes from Washington about Col. John Wolcott Phelps (at Fort Monroe, Va.) receiving an appointment.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence


        Unidentified telegraph
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          • Date Created: 1861-04-26
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence


          Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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            • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
            • Date Created: 1863-05-01
            • Description: Topics include the ill health of Mary Farnham and Nelson (mustard paste applied to his back), rumors and conflicting reports about the Rebels, about Hooker & about Lee, snakes in camp, the importance of keeping an open mind about possibly moving to the city after the war, comments on happiness versus wealth, the death of S. S. Leonard of Company H, paymaster has arrived with military pay and orders to move and guard the railroad.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


            Roswell Farnham to Laura
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              • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
              • Date Created: 1863-05-01
              • Description: Brief note to Laura letting her know about the regiment moving to Warrenton Station or Warrenton Junction, Virginia and about Mary in Charleston (South Carolina?).
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


              Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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                • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                • Date Created: 1863-05-05
                • Description: A brief letter stating again his unit's move to Warrenton Junction, the continued sickness of Nelson, Contrabands coming in and telling of victories by Gen. Joseph Hooker (nicknamed Fighting Joe) and the hearing of cannonade during the Second Battle of Fredericksburg (also known as the Second Battle of Marye's Heights May 3, 1863, part of the Chancellorsville Campaign).
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                Roswell Farnham to Laura
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                  • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                  • Date Created: 1863-05-06
                  • Description: Letter to Laura about the rainy weather in camp, the rest of the brigade being located 21 miles away, mentions again that he hears Joseph Hooker is victorious and writes of Confederate Commander John Singleton Mosby‚Äôs irregular cavalry and the Confederate Black Horse Cavalry being near the regiment.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence


                  John Lester Barstow to Laura
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                    • Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913.
                    • Date Created: 1863-10-25
                    • Description: Two letters dated Oct 25 and Oct 27 with topics including marching, waiting, more marching, more waiting, lack of food due to road conditions, unable to forage for food, hot days, cold nights, the importance of picket duty, the unpopularity of General William B. Franklin, and the army returning to New Iberia, fear that mail may be lost due to capture of wagons by Rebels and fear to send any money by mail.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence


                    Roswell Farnham to Frederick Holbrook
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                      • Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
                      • Date Created: 1863-03-10
                      • Description: To the Governor of Vermont, Frederick Holbrook regarding names recommended for promotions, reporting Colonel Blunt at Fairfax Station, and the capture of General Stoughton.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence