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 1221 - 1230 of 1338 Records

Miniature of John Lester Barstow to Laura

John Lester Barstow to Laura

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Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913.
Date Created: 1864-02-04
Description: Topics include the warming of days but continued nightly chills and fever, and the suspense in camp over replacement soldiers, talk of regimen reenlisting.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, John Lester Barstow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

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Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1864-04-06
Description: Writes of suffering from diarrhea, wanting to subscribe to the local newspaper call the Repository, commenting on the sugar orchard at home and mentions Gen. Grant.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

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Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1864-04-25
Description: Still at Brandy Station, Virginia and writes of feeling well, of expecting Gen. Meade to move is head quarters to Culpeper soon, been rifle target practice, Lt. Gen. Grant reviewed the troops, photograph sent home via mail, has heard news of Red River expedition and massacre at Fort Pillow (April 12) where a large number of Black and White troops were killed, mentions lots of opportunities for men to get commissions in the Black regiments.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

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Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1864-06-05
Description: A sore has developed on his left heel, is to go to the hospital and see the surgeon, Union army if strengthening its hold in the face of the Rebels strong hold in the area, mentions that newspapers generally get the news wrong and cautions folks at home in believing everything printed, mentions Grant and his chances of taking Richmond.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1863-12-12
Description: From Brandy Station, Virginia Rutherford writes of his swollen left hand due to infection resulting in his whole body having tremors and shooting pains, taking a dose of morphine, the rainy weather, winter quarters being built, of Chaplain offering to help erect Rutherford's cabin, his dedication to duty for the wounded and the approaching of Christmas.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1864-02-17
Description: Writes of being on a 4 day picket duty, of his health improving, of bitterly cold days but comfortable in his living quarters, and the high price of cotton.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1864-02-19
Description: Topics include the illness of their child Joseph, management of ill health, caring for many patients alone, cold weather, and attention to his daughter's Helen‚Äôs studies.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford 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: 1863-03-09
Description: Barney writes of how soldiers incarcerated in the guard house organize life while there, mimicking the rules of a regiment, including a ‚ÄúColonel‚Äù (the Bully) who gets his position by fighting other soldiers, of extortion committed, of brutal beatings with one soldier not expected to live. He also describes how a soldier from his company (the 9th) deposed the "Colonel" and himself rose to the rank of ‚ÄúMajor General‚Äù before escaping from camp, of Barney going to church worship, of Gen. Hooker granting furloughs and writes of family members.
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: 1863-04-06
Description: Two letters enclosed. Still on the steamer Long Island at Norfolk, Virginia waiting for the rest of the Regiment before moving on, the Regiment traveling a lot seeing the country, contraband items distributed among the officers and men, seeing men harvesting oysters in the river. He also mentions sightseeing in Norfolk, Virginia, buying pants there, and oysters both raw and fried.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]

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Creator: Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902.
Date Created: 1865-03-15
Description: Writes of a gap in letters due to Rutherford treating a small pox patient, preparations for a march due to the nice weather, the destruction of the Lynchburg Rail Road and canal by Sheridan thus cutting off supplies to Gen. Lee, reference to Sheridan‚Äôs raid, and Schofield's victory over Bragg, his opinion of the effectiveness of Black Rebel soldiers on picket duty, more Rebel deserters arriving in camp, mentions writing articles for publication including one for the Sunday School at home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War