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 71 - 80 of 1339 Records

Miniature of [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother

[Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother

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Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
Date Created: 1861-09-22
Description: Henry writes from Camp Holbrooke in St. Albans of the 5th Vt Vol Regiment to his mother about rainy weather, acting as Corporal of the Guard, and receiving pay for his services and talks about how his pay should be handled.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder 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: 1863-08-22
Description: Writing from New York City, Williams recounts trip via train and steamboat from Warrenton, Va to the city. Purpose of the trip is thought to be to enforce the draft. Accident involving the steamboat and a schooner en route resulted in two men killed and one lost overboard. Military pay received spent partly on weapons to give to the officers out of respect.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Lyman S. Williams to Family

Lyman S. Williams to Family

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Creator: Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905.
Date Created: 1863-12-04
Description: Writes of receiving a box from home with food and much needed clothing. He hears of fighting in Tennessee and Kentucky.
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: 1863-12-06
Description: Letter to sister Lois about his great appreciation of receiving letters from home and their importance to him ; relates the men's hard march, camping in the the field, hardships endured including having little food to eat, of no complaints from the men regardless ; a bit of home gossip.
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: 1864-02-14
Description: Writes of returning to the regiment after a visit home, the warm welcome of his fellow soldiers and the visits he received, how lonesome he feels for his family, and how grateful he is to the kindness shown by his family to Mary Gorton, now Mary Williams. He also writes of a case of measles in the regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle

Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-03-29
Description: Writing from Newport News (Virginia?) topics include the journey from Alexandria to his new camp, mentions the destruction of Hampton, Va. by the Confederates, the "concentration of troops" for the possible purpose of advancing into Va. and the inefficiency of the Quarter Master resulting in the soldiers going hungry for a week. He makes reference to passing gun boats, gives a brief description and impression of the "renowned" Monitor (Ironclad) and Fort Monroe.
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: 1862-05-08
Description: Towle's regiment pursues the Rebels after finding their hasty departure from their camps. The men marched to the enemy's strong holds at Williamsburg, Virginia including Fort Magruder and a battle was fought. Killed and wounded reported. Soldiers had to endure heavy rain and muddy conditions. Some men did reconnaissance.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to Parents and Friends

Ransom W. Towle to Parents and Friends

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-05-23
Description: Topics include Towle‚Äôs not receiving wages, the high prices of food, poverty in camp, the destruction of the countryside by the Rebels, how the Union soldiers are forbidden to even touch any property, the movement of the regiment in Virginia, and the attitude of the slaves towards the Yankees.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle 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: 1861-12-28
Description: Appreciation for letters from home, glad to know money sent arrived safely, the improving health of the men in the regiment and officers being ordered home to recruit for the brigade.
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: 1862-07-30
Description: Inquires about ladies in the family, requesting letters from them, states there is good water contrary to what the newspapers report, vegetables to eat, building brick ovens, prayer meetings being held in brick church, death of son of Judge Swift of Middlebury.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War