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 401 - 410 of 1339 Records

Justus F. Gale to Sister
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    • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
    • Date Created: 1863-07-19
    • Description: Gale writes that he developed a lameness while at Port Hudson and was sent to convalescent camp. While in camp, Gale and a partner took advantage of a business opportunity to bring rations to contrabands. He mentions going to Baton Rouge to draw the rations and says he now has a pony to ride to make this and other things easier. He also writes that he has not been paid for a long time, and that he has heard General Lee has been captured but that this is not confirmed.
    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


    Justus F. Gale to [Family]
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      • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
      • Date Created: 1862-02-19
      • Description: Writing from Brattleboro topics include drilling, a few companies being sworn into the United States service, Justus Gale‚Äôs health improving from a brief cold, mentions "rag" hash soup, boiled beef & potatoes, news of family members and the snow at camp.
      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


      Justus F. Gale to Sister
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        • Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863.
        • Date Created: 1862-05-22
        • Description: Topics include trying to figure out where letters may have gone missing, letters taking several weeks to arrive, not receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, the lack of details about the taking of New Orleans, and Justus Gale being on guard last night.
        • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Justus F. Gale Correspondence


        William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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          • Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
          • Date Created: 1862-02-23
          • Description: Topics include a travel route planned to return home via Annapolis, Brattleboro and maybe even Burlington, the capture of 18 Rebel prisoners near Fairfax, and the hope of one of the wounded prisoners, a Virginian, to retake the oath to become a citizen of the United States again, reference to a Flag of Truce to send a letter to the Confederate Army, his side business doing poorly as the men have expected orders to move and the Sutlers not buying for the same reason.
          • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence


          Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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            • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
            • Date Created: 1864-02-09
            • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


            Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
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              • Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889.
              • Date Created: 1864-02-12
              • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence


              Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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                • Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
                • Date Created: 1863-01-09
                • Description: Topics include rebel raids on the pickets, how comfortable their camp is, what he wants in a box his family will be sending him, including a baked chicken and maple sugar. He also mentions his views about the war and whether France will come in on the Confederate side. Mentions CSA Gen. Jeb Stuart and his cavalry raids.
                • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence


                Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
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                  • Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
                  • Date Created: 1863-02-25
                  • Description: Topics include the weather, the capture of some Confederate officers by a scouting party, his advice to his mother about the farm, and the lack of specie in the area due to the war. Still needs a pair of socks.
                  • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence


                  Henry A. Smith to Family
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                    • Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864.
                    • Date Created: 1863-10-23
                    • Description: Topics include his hope to be released soon and his wish for news about the farm and the fall harvest.
                    • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence


                    Henry W. Spafford to Clarissa A. Smith
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                      • Creator: Spafford, Henry W., 1840-1911.
                      • Date Created: 1864-05-16
                      • Description: Letter written by Spafford to Mrs. Clarissa A. Smith, the mother of Henry A. Smith regarding the death of her son, Hnery A. Smith in the hospital in Richmond, giving details of the conditions there, both about the physicians and how prisoners were buried. Spafford gives Mrs. Smith contact information in order to be in touch with the Ward Master Sergt Jacob Saftig Co. G 4th K.Y. Cav. in the hopes of him being able to give Mrs. Smith more information about Smith's final hours.
                      • Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry A. Smith Correspondence