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 361 - 370 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1864-04-16
Description: Very brief letter stating having been paid a day prior and inclusion of $20 with this letter with more to follow in the days to come.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1864-04-25
Description: Rutherford is wax poetic in his writing of Spring weather in Virginia, discusses Hannah's previous letter disclosing her political opinions, offers up his him political views, states the resignation of Col. Jewett (Albert B. Jewett?) due to poor health, and the changes that come with new leadership.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-07-13
Description: Writing in a wheat field near Williams Port, MD topics include a description of where the regiment is in Maryland, rain, mud, heavy cannon drawn by horses and the difficulty of transporting weaponry, the men being ready for battle
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-08-20
Description: Rutherford writes of his low opinion of Southerns, of their ignorance, their misguided values of who can own the most slaves and land, their intermarrying, of his applying discipline to those he feels deserve it in order to preserve order in his hospital, praise for his horse, Lady Lightfoot, who is still with him and his acquisition of another horse and mule.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-01-02
Description: Writing from camp at White's Ford (over the Potomac River) two letters dated Jan 2 and Jan 6 include topics of a description of the night of the expected fight, of having enough food to eat that he is gaining weight, of the camp's glee club singing, of being homesick and wanting a leave but may be on the eve of "some great event", a description of the camp ground, promotions within the camp including himself as Acting Surgeon and the possibility of a brigade hospital being created with himself most likely being put in charge of it.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-09-27
Description: Topics include receiving postage stamp requested, criticism of a doctor named Patch for his incompetence, the expectation of a big battle but not having it yet, a social visit with Captain Bartlett, his concern for the large number of sick men in the other regiments stationed next to his while his regiment is healthier and of writing a report regarding this concern to the Surgeon in Chief of the Army.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers

Bradford Sparrow to Father, Mother and Brothers

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Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1863-14-09
Description: A brief letter about the expectation of leaving for Alexandria the next day and a $25 bounty being paid which he will send some home as soon as he feels it is safe to send it.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Image

Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-11-03
Description: Topics include references to folks at home and their improved health, of not minding having his letters read to others, brief reference to a battle at Briston Station (Manassas plains), Dr. Childe's sister has a book for Rutherford's daughter Helen, a brief description of a battle and how the wounded men were treated including Rutherford's decisions to not amputate limbs and the recovered heath of those soldiers who were spared the surgery.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1865-02-19
Description: Topic include spending time with General Grant, speculating about the war, interaction between the Union and Rebel pickets, story about a particular rebel deserter that brings hope to Rutherford about the nearing conclusion of the war, reference to Dr. Thayer & his complimentary opinion of Rutherford, telling to a long absence (absent with out leave?) of a doctor that may lead to an opening for advancement for Rutherford.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-06-12
Description: Topics include the first battle the regiment with the Confederates, Rutherford's praise for the men attending to their duty, hospital boys volunteer to carry water to the troops in the ranks, the prospect that the regiment with remain stationed here, a trip to Washington to collect supplies and visit the hospitals there.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War