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 451 - 460 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Friends

Ransom W. Towle to Friends

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1861-03-22
Description: From his camp near Alexandria, Virginia Towle writes of the rainy weather, muddy conditions, sleeping conditions wet and tents inadequate for keeping the soldiers dry and of the number of troops camped out in the area. Towle makes a brief reference to his father‚Äôs misfortunes [ill health?].
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Sister and Friends

Ransom W. Towle to Sister and Friends

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-05-15
Description: From camp in Whitehouse Landing, Va. topics include the destruction of the Merrimac (the ironclad warship), a bear hunt, the occupation of Norfolk, Virginia troops under the command of President Lincoln, a description of skirmishes with the Rebels, and the warm weather in Virginia.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle 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: 1862-06-14
Description: Still in the field near Richmond, Va topics include the Battle of Richmond being fought since May 31, soldiers wounded and killed by Rebel fire, shell fire by the Rebels, balloon reconnaissance.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle 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: 1864-06-28
Description: Writing to his father topics include receiving the $50.00 he asked for from him, a list of the expenses incurred buying equipment needed as 2nd Lieutenant, his hope that his brother Nathan will recover his health now that he has left the Service, and the confidence of the Army in Ulysses S. Grant and their hope that hard fighting is done now.
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: 1864-12-25
Description: Writes of good news for the Union from various theaters of war including the fall of Savannah, Georgia with the capture of 15,000 rebel prisoners & taking of Fort Fisher, his hope to be home by next Christmas, receiving his commission as Captain of Company I and his pride in it, requests his sister send him more kid gloves for the other officers in the regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Edward P. Stone to Family

Edward P. Stone to Family

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Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
Date Created: [1862]-01-01
Description: New Year's greeting given to family, getting his tent settled, men under marching orders, no passes to be approved until Gen. Brooks returns.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Edward P. Stone to Family

Edward P. Stone to Family

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Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
Date Created: 1862-11-20
Description: Regiment several days marching before reaching camp near the Aquia Creek, names various commanders in charge of the corps, newspaper informed him of the death of General Israel Richardson (wounded in Battle of Antietam in Maryland, Sept. 17, 1862, died Nov. 3, 1862)
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone 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: 1862-01-30
Description: Topics include Wilder asking his mother to send the items he requested as soon as possible.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder 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: 1862-04-28
Description: Topics include two officers from the New York regiment joining the rebel army and a description of a rebel attack. Wilder is writing at the time of the Siege of Yorktown, Va.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft

Warren E. Bliss to Smiley Bancroft

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Creator: Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930.
Date Created: 1862-06-19
Description: Topics include moving to camp near the Chickahominy, anticipation of a battle at Richmond, the capture of Fort Darling, a description of the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the death of Charles Bancroft. Use of hot air balloons in reconnaissance is mentioned, as is the observation that many plantations are deserted by their owners and run by slaves, Gen. McClellan threatened to turn every "White House" (plantation) into a hospital.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War