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 321 - 330 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

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Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
Date Created: 1864-06-25
Description: Topics include Lyman‚Äôs promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, inquiries about his Canadian cousins, trying to keep cool, with a bucket of ice water to drink, needing money sent to him to pay for his new equipment as 2nd Lieutenant, a discussion about the officers in his new company, a report about the loss of prisoners by the 4th and 11th Regiments, destruction of railroad tracks and bridges.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

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Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
Date Created: 1864-10-03
Description: Topics include taking part in a raid against guerrilla fighters, capturing a large quantity of cider brandy which was drunk by both officers and men and by their guide, so that they had to turn back, and a cavalry fight on October 2 (Battle of Saltville, Va.), near their camp. He also writes of being detached to the 5th Vermont Infantry Regiment temporarily and being in command of two companies, and asks when the Town of Essex will pay the bounty to soldiers who reenlisted.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams

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Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
Date Created: 1865-03-21
Description: Writes being Brigade Officer of the Day, shaving off all his beard except a mustache, news of Sergeant John C. Swan who was exchanged and who reports that the rumors about Confederate treatment of prisoner is true, and that recruits are coming in from Vermont to fill the companies.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps

E. V. N. Hitchcock to John Wolcott Phelps

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Creator: Hitchcock, E. V. N.
Date Created: 1863-03-14
Description: Hitchcock learns that Phelps is nominated to be a Major General. Concludes letter with another carefully worded appeal to Phelps for a better position, preferably under Phelps's command. (Hitchcock underlines the word "inactivity.") Details in between include mail that has arrived, including a Brattleboro newspaper (title unknown); a new "conscript act" (Conscription Act: passed by the Union in late February and signed by Lincoln in March, 1863); preparations for summer and the anticipation of a large shipment of ice; officers busy with a Court Martial; and the continued good health of the regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]

Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1861-05-10
Description: Farnham relates the impression the 1st Regiment made on citizens of Troy, NY and finally New Yorkers, both in public and in the press. Apparently, it was "the biggest and toughest looking regiment" seen in New York. Concludes letter with a few domestic concerns. Mentions daughter Laura's letter "in the Times" (probably Burlington Times).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of George W. Quimby to Sister

George W. Quimby to Sister

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Creator: Quimby, George W.
Date Created: 1861-10-26
Description: Writes from Camp Griffin, Va, Smith's Division of camp life in general, of good food, of having been in several military advances since he last wrote, marching from Chain Bridge towards Lewinsville, "Sesesh" soldiers brought in with one having been said to have preached teh funeral service of Jackson and worth a lot of money, Picket Guard, Brigade Guard and sister's husband's health.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, George W. Quimby Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Bruidnell to William Wirt Henry

William Bruidnell to William Wirt Henry

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Creator: Bruidnell, William, b. 1842.
Date Created: 1862-05-25
Description: Topics include the good health of everyone except Tilton Sleeper, the hope of taking Richmond from the rebels, and the good weather near Cool Harbor, Virginia.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry

Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry

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Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837.
Date Created: 1861-08-16
Description: Writes of wishing to be sent food such as dried beef, cheese, pickles, maple sugar, crackers. Mentions Bush Hill, camping in rainy weather with everything they had being wet, brigade review by General Smith, discontent among the officers. In need of recruits.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1861-07-21
Description: July 21, 1861. Topics include Roswell urging his wife Mary to get a nurse to take care of her, of Laura's ear problem may be getting better, of his pleasure to hear of his nomination.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1861-08-02
Description: August 2, 1861. Topics include Roswell telling his wife of the delay for the departure home, another description of Fort Monroe and Hygeia Hotel on Old Point Comfort similar to one written in the July 31 letter, of the incident of shooting of a drunken soldier, of the drunken condition of the 1st N Y regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War