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.
Showing 81 - 90 of 120 Records
Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
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- Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1862-02-23
- Description: Topics include a Brigade Parade and a farewell address of Washington, he relates some of the soldiers opinions and predictions that the war will end in three weeks. Mention of 109 six mule teams passing through his camp; exact purpose unknown.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-05-05
- Description: Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
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- Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
- Date Created: 1861-05-18
- Description: Topics include the safety of the fort; definition of "columbiad" (delivers 10-inch cannonball); living arrangements (Willard Hotel); officers' food versus soldiers' food; daily drill and men's complaints; several lines about health concerns, children's health, not getting mail, and correct mailing address. Names: Pickett, John Prichard, Andross, Stearns, Charlie Peters, Mr. Batchelder, Woodstock Company.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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- Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
- Date Created: 1864-04-19
- Description: Topics include additional sending more pay home to Hannah, an imminent march, enduring low spirits, sending a photograph of Lt. Tabor, instructions on where to send letters, of the sudden death of a fellow soldier's horse, and other stories of soldiers in the war.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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- Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898.
- Date Created: [1861]-08-21
- Description: Topics include the safe return of the company from an expedition.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1862-10-26
- Description: Writing en route, topics include a description of the journey to Washington on the “Elm City” train, his deep desire for letters from home and an undercurrent of his willingness to accept how things are.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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- Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
- Date Created: 1863-02-06
- Description: A short letter thanking his mother for the box she sent. Although generally satisfied with the food, he wishes the requested socks had arrived as well. He adds a brief correction: "We do not belong to Burnsides Army but belong to the defences of Washington." Weather in February has been bad, and March will probably be just as bad.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Edward P. Stone to Family
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- Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920.
- Date Created: 1863-03-19
- Description: Topics include visiting ministers, Colonel Tuttle resigning, Col. Barney in command, petition written up endorsing the Administration, Stone feeling better about his usefulness.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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- Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
- Date Created: 1863-02-15
- Description: Topics include his desire to return home to play with his children, his worry about hearing that the family home was nearly lost in a fire, and how visiting with acquaintances helps him keep from being homesick.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Justus F. Gale to Sister
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- Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
- Date Created: 1863-03-15
- Description: Topics working at the hospital, the lack of letters from family and friends, and his wish for Jeff Davis’ scalp as a Thanksgiving present. He also writes that he is “perplexed” by how the war is being managed.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War