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 541 - 550 of 1339 Records

Miniature of William C. Holbrook to Mother

William C. Holbrook to Mother

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Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
Date Created: 1862-08-14
Description: Topics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that Holbrook replace Faillam, Holbrook‚Äôs desire to go into a regiment located in Virginia, Gen. Phelps and his opinions on the slave question, Gen. Butler's compliments to the regiment for its brave conduct in the Baton Rouge battle, sending home of the Secessionist's flag retrieved from Fort Pike, desire for newspapers from Vt.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Volney S. Fullam to Frederick Holbrook

Volney S. Fullam to Frederick Holbrook

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Creator: Fullam, Volney S.
Date Created: 1862-08-18
Description: Topics include recommendations for promotions to fill the vacant positions.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook

William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook

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Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904.
Date Created: 1862-08-20
Description: Topics include a list of recommendations for promotions made by Holbrook.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William C. Holbrook Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Note

Note

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Description: A handwritten note to call Mr. Kenney of the Globe (?). Possibly a reference to someone at a newspaper. No date.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Solomon G. Heaton to Mother

Solomon G. Heaton to Mother

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Creator: Heaton, Solomon G.
Date Created: 1862-03-17
Description: With Heaton's words, "the great Army of the Potomac has at last started," we get a sense of impatience, on the soldier's part, with Gen. George McClellan's well-known reluctance to send men into battle. The date of this letter coincides within the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign, which deployed over 121,000 Union soldiers. Perhaps Heaton's regiment, camped somewhere in Virginia, is about to meet up with this "offul Army down on the co[a]st it numbers 90 thousand men" as part of the Campaign. He notes some of the destruction left behind by retreating rebels, most notably the burned homes near Fairfax courthouse, supposedly where George and Martha Washington were married. (The home owned by Martha Custis, Washington's betrothed, was indeed burned in 1862 because of the war. This is believed to have been a likely site of the marriage in early January, 1759.) Other place names mentioned: Mannassas, Centerville.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to Laura

Roswell Farnham to Laura

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1863-02-10
Description: Two letters dated Feb 10 and Feb. 15. Topics include the costs of newspapers and magazines, the chain of custody of Laura‚Äôs braids of hair, comfortable living conditions at the moment, Mary‚Äôs visit in camp, mention of a map sent to Charlie, news of friends seen, a trip to Washington where they saw actress Maggie Mitchell (she was a Confederate sympathizer and friend of John Wilkes Booth), an incident with their dog, suggestions on refurbishing the house and money sent home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of ? to Father

? to Father

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Date Created: 1863-02-26
Description: Unsigned letter to his father with topics including Col Farnham's horses being sick but getting better ; the variable weather, how people can make do with few conveniences, Mr. Peach the cook, the food that is available in camp ; the dark looks the southerners give the soldiers, his negative opinion of the white southerners, mentioning writing to Henry, Laura and hoping to see Zeke.
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: 1862-11-30
Description: Farnham writes from Camp Vermont, Alexandria, Va. 12th Vt. Regiment Volunteers Militia and writes of his wife Mary's visit camp, of meeting with Mr. Morrill and Senator Foote, of his house being finished with 2 bedrooms and a fireplace.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Report

Report

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Date Created: 1862-12-15
Description: Pass for Roswell Farnham to return from Washington to the 12th Vermont Volunteers camp by order of Col. A. P. Blunt and approved by Brig Genl E. H. Stoughton and Geo W. Hooker.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Laura]

Roswell Farnham to [Laura]

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1863-03-09
Description: Topics include the death of Cyrus Farnham from typhoid fever.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War