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 381 - 390 of 1339 Records

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: 1862-09-10
Description: Writing from Bolivar Heights, West Virginia topics include not hearing from the men left at "W" (Winchester? or Washington?) and the regiment encamping with the 60th Ohio Regiment and the 126th New York Regiment, not hearing or having any word of what military actions are taking place unless troops hear the firing of guns, reference to prisoners being paroled, of soldier committing suicide and Barney encouraging troops to partake in evening singing to keep up morale. Maryland Campaign Sept 3-15, 1862.
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: 1863-07-08
Description: Barney writes of returning to the regiment at West Point, Virginia and of some of his new duties as a field officer. He also writes of the difficulty of sleeping due to mosquitoes, of swimming in the Pamunkey River, his commission dated May 24th.
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

Image

Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-08-31
Description: Barney writes of falling ill after eating lobster, of getting paid off for three months which allow him to pay of debts including cost of his horse, and of buying books on military tactics. He also writes of how difficult it would be to get leave until next fall or the winter and of sending home some melon seeds for Maria to plant in the spring.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney 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: 1865-05-12
Description: Writes of receiving good medical care with plenty of good food, alcohol to drink, health is improving, may be transported to Annapolis, Maryland ; hopes to be home soon ; mentions Gen. Grant may discharge all the hospital boys. Letter head U.S. Christian Commission stationery.
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: 1865-06-06
Description: Writes of his current location in another hospital, this one in New York, hopes his military discharge will come soon, his need for money sent to him as he will not be paid until his discharge come through, requests the Vermont newspaper the Repository as he wants to know what is going on back home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Image

Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-01-08
Description: Topics include sitting on a court martial board for a Capt of the 65th Illinois for cowardice, reference to Union officer Maj. Gen William S. Rosecran's battle at Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Stones River Campaign, December 1862 against Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg) and the battle at Vicksburg (Dec 1862), having photographs taken, visiting acquaintances in Chicago, and a description of Camp Douglas, including a map.
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

Image

Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-05-13
Description: Topics include working on building forts, his surprise at the resignation of Colonel Stowell, that he was finally able to send his box back to Vermont, and mentions photographs for his album at home. He also refers to the wedding of Silas L. Griffith and Libby M. Staples on May 20th in Danby, Vermont.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

Bradford Sparrow to Parents and Brothers

Image

Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1864-04-16
Description: Writes of having sent money home, of improved health, of not having a chance to get a photograph made, of two deserters from his company in the guard house, and gives advice as to whom to write in case he is unable to do so, Chaplain Roberts, 4th Vt Regt., Washington, D.C.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney

Image

Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-11-12
Description: In camp in North Carolina, topics include receiving letters from home that had been delayed due to the move from Yorktown, Virginia ; Maria upset because other soldiers getting to go home but not Barney, the dullness of camp life, going on buggy rides, his filly Madam and the wildlife that visits the camp, which the soldiers aren‚Äôt allowed to shoot and hearing Gen. Meade's advance and capture of about 2000 prisoners.
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

Image

Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
Date Created: 1863-11-30
Description: Barney writes of wishing his wife happy birthday, commenting on how much older he looks now, of his happiness at receiving the box containing larger shirts, of his appreciation at receiving a ‚Äúlove letter‚Äù tucked in one of the pockets and writes of the rumor of the fall of Charlestown.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War