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 281 - 290 of 1339 Records

Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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    • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
    • Date Created: 1861-09-06
    • Description: Topics include advancements made by the Regiment although they have not seen any action yet.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


    Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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      • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
      • Date Created: [1861]-11-22
      • Description: Topics include the Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac at Ball's Cross Roads, "Old Abe" to see 75,000 troops, scouting excursion, marching, picket guard, mentions Thanksgiving in Vermont.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers


      Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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        • Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
        • Date Created: 1862-05-14
        • Description: Topics include waiting for his military discharge papers, his plans for returning to Vermont, and his plan to travel with Sergeant Peabody of the 2nd Vermont.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence


        Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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          • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
          • Date Created: [1861]-07-19
          • Description: Topics include orders to march to Baltimore under General Banks on Tuesday.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


          Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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            • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
            • Date Created: 1863-07-09
            • Description: Recounts a long march to Gettysburg and of laying in wait for the enemy, engaged in a skirmish with the Rebels, one brigade left to deal with them and the rest of the men returned to camp where time was spent socializing. Writes some of the Vermont men sent home and states that he is sending letters home via Alf. Olmstead for safekeeping.
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence


            Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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              • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
              • Date Created: 1863-08-06
              • Description: Writes his health is good, the weather is hot, the men have a good camp ground and good water close by. States he has received letters from home and tells of the different types of food crops grown in Virginia ; gives his opinion of some men folk at home, of men drafted but who run away and refuse to fight, and sends this letter with no postage stamp as his request for some has not yet been fulfilled.
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence


              Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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                • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
                • Date Created: 1863-09-07
                • Description: Williams has left NYC via steamboat, Rip Van Winkle and thought to be on way to Albany, NY ; had a chance to visit with friends ; draft continued with no trouble but threats were made to burn the city if the draft was brought to NYC.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence


                Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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                  • Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
                  • Date Created: 1863-11-10
                  • Description: Writes that the regiment has been on the move and has seen some fighting with the Rebels resulting in the capture of many Confederates, their officers and many weapons ; also reports Union losses at Rappahannock.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence


                  Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                    • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                    • Date Created: 1862-03-20
                    • Description: Topics include movement of the Army to Clouds Mills in a rainstorm, impossibility of getting to the enemy via land, presence of fortifications at Manassas, observations about McClellan, and reminiscences of good times spent with his wife.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence


                    Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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                      • Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
                      • Date Created: 1862-04-06
                      • Description: Writing in the field topics include moving from Yorktown to James River, the rebels withdrawing from Youngs Mills, and a description of General Smith.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence