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.

List

Gallery

Information

Showing 581 - 590 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow

Bradford Sparrow to Alner D. Sparrow

Image

Creator: Sparrow, Bradford.
Date Created: 1864-01-31
Description: Brief letter writes of returning from a three day picket, of the food and utensils in the recently received box from home, his good health, of witnessing an execution and of stories about the Rebels infiltrating the lines.
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: 1863-06-30
Description: Barney writes of gaining strength and blames the southern climate for his slow recovery ; plans to buy a horse soon, writes of the change in command of the Army of the Potomac from General Hooker to General Meade, of the capture of William Henry Fitzhugh Lee (son of Robert E. Lee & Confederate officer), of Harrisburg, Penn. taken by the Rebels.
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: 1863-07-31
Description: Two letters enclosed. Gives detailed account of his duties as officer of the day, details on camp life including cleaning the sinks (latrines), of some of the sight-seeing he has done and hopes to do in the area of Yorktown, of sickness in the camp, of rain and lightening that killed one horse & injured several others. As well, he complains of Vermont towns that pay $300 rather than send anyone who has been drafted, compares them to the rebels. Requests photographs of the children Fred and Carrie.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of E. Putnance to Alner D. Sparrow

E. Putnance to Alner D. Sparrow

Image

Creator: Putnance, E.
Date Created: 1865-01-11
Description: Letter from clerk in the Adjutant General's office to Bradford's father, Alner, regarding his inquiry about Bradford. Letter states nothing is known at the office about Bradford except that he was taken prisoner and that Alner's request for information has been forwarded to F. F. Holbrook, Vermont Military Commissioner.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Bradford Sparrow Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Charles F. Bancroft to Parents

Charles F. Bancroft to Parents

Image

Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862.
Date Created: 1861-12-20
Description: Topics include items received from home and events surrounding a bottle of brandy that was stolen.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Civil War Correspondence of Charles F. Bancroft

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: 1863-01-29
Description: Topics include a deplorable condition of the Rebel prisoners on their arrival from the Murfreesboro battle after spending 27 days in transport, Rebels lack of descent clothing or food to eat, Barney's attendance at a Temperance meeting, and still writing about the lost money but has hope of being able to be repaid as the Chaplain had a similar loss and was repaid.
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: 1863-02-18
Description: Topics include being on guard duty, of the many court martial cases to be tried, his passion for collecting photographs of all the officers in the Regiment for his album, the resignation of officers, sending Meigs to pursue a deserter with no luck in arresting him, of hearing about a military draft in Vermont & the need for men to serve
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: 1863-03-26
Description: Topics include discussing her trip to Danby, promotions in the Regiment, deserters returning to his Company, his brother Elisha being robbed in Washington, D.C., and a description of his rooms.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Valentine G. Barney Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-04-12
Description: Discusses the possibility of moving towards the front, and encourages his wife to seek comfort in her religious beliefs. Lack of pay from the Army, as well as the need for money for the family as well as himself is mentioned. The feelings that the troops have towards the inhabitants of the town where they are staying, and the feelings of the town towards the troops, are also discussed. Mentions Mr. Trundle (correct spelling?)not expected to live. (The Trundel family befriended the Union officers despite being southern sympathizers. Mr. Trundel was given medical care by Dr. Joseph Chase Rutherford).
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-06-14
Description: Writes of rumors & the possibility of raids by the Rebels, a wedding between a corporal in the 10th Vermont and a Maryland woman, General Milroy‚Äôs retreat from Winchester by Ewell, the massing of Confederate troops across the river ; Mosby mentioned to have 500 men with him, challenges the accuracy of newspaper reporting compared to his account of military action.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War