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 91 - 100 of 141 Records

Miniature of Justus F. Gale to Father

Justus F. Gale to Father

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Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
Date Created: 1862-08-08
Description: Topics include the good health of Justus Gale, a description of the land in Algiers including deep mud, swamp and tall grasses, and the sickness in the regiment.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

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Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-09-13
Description: Barney writes of the monotony of camp life in the fort and his wish for more action. Reflects on how the Rebels must see the hopelessness of their cause, mentions wishing to go to Charlestown, Va to help win the city and of the weather is getting cooler, but the many men still sick. Is glad Maria is enjoying the outdoor excursions of fishing and riding.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

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Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-10-11
Description: Barney writes that the Regiment will soon be moving to North Carolina because of the sickness at Fort Yorktown. He spends the rest of the letter assuring his wife that he does not drink liquor.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Henry A. Smith to Family

Henry A. Smith to Family

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Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-10-04
Description: Topics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the soldiers have to pay for them.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford

Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford

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Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866.
Date Created: 1862-01-15
Description: Written to his sister from his camp in Virginia, topics include description of a large foraging expedition, getting mumps, and rumors about Captain Henry B. Atherton.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford

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‚Äôs clothing, the resignation of the 2nd Lieutenant of Company F, and Joseph‚Äôs good health.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Spafford 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: 1861-10-22
Description: Henry writes of having his military pay make interest, of a fight that had taken place and General Johnston was taken prisoner, of his health being better, of a soldier's discharge due to fever sore on his leg, of a woman named Marion and of a lot of letter writing being done by the soldiers.
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: 1861-11-08
Description: Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia of the difficulty of camp life, of Fenton being very ill and taken to Georgetown to the General Hospital.
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: 1861-11-11
Description: Henry writes a solemn letter about the death from consumption of his tent mate, Adams Potter of Cornwall, of his plans to write to friends and family.
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: 1862-01-29
Description: Topics include the sick in Essex and at camp, the knee deep mud, and Lyman Williams' plan to send money home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War