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 951 - 960 of 1339 Records
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1863-01-18
- Description: Considers the possibility of bringing home a Southern woman after the war, asks how family thinks about that, indifferent about having family send a box of goods as he is living well, if he needs money he may borrow from another man, the improvement in George’s health, the need for a new drum major, and teases his sister Sophia about having a Southern woman as a sister-in-law.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford 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: 1863-02-21
- Description: Topics include how often to write, of not getting a letter Mary Jane says she wrote, the snowy and rainy weather, Williams and the Captains poor health, a trip to Washington, Joseph’s clothing, the resignation of the 2nd Lieutenant of Company F, and Joseph’s good health.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford 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: [1861-09-16]
- Description: Spafford writes from Brattleboro of the possibility of his sister and Lizzie visiting him before departure, of his time consuming duties as Orderly, of Captain A's wife already having come for a visit.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
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- Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
- Date Created: 1861-09-20
- Description: Spafford writes of possible leave from Brattleboro on September 21, 1861, of giving George all his things except his overcoat that he will keep with him, of his desire to see his sister.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford papers
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]-10-24
- Description: Writing from Brattleboro topics include George deciding to joint the regiment, Joseph Spafford receiving his payment, and the mustering of the regiment.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford 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
George F. Davis to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Davis, George F., 1815-1901.
- Date Created: 1862-05-07
- Description: Topics include the death of Charles Bancroft while on the "Propeller Richard Willing" and an account of his possessions. The quartermaster's tone is remarkably sympathetic even while addressing official business.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
George F. Davis to Smiley Bancroft
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- Creator: Davis, George F., 1815-1901.
- Date Created: 1862-05-18
- Description: Topics include plans to return Charles Bancroft's possessions to his father. One senses that the quartermaster is defending the military's hospital care in response to a complaint from Bancroft's father.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War
John W. Merriam to Friend Samantha
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- Creator: Merriam, John W., d. 1863.
- Date Created: 1862-09-04
- Description: Writing from Algiers, La. topics include the false report of Justus's death and an attack by 1500 Rebels on a train leaving Desallemands and heading for Algiers that left 30 to 40 soldiers wounded or killed.
- Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War