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 771 - 780 of 1339 Records

Miniature of Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother

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Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison.
Date Created: 1862-01-26
Description: Topics include marching orders, the cold weather, and the way the regiment sets up their guns so they are always ready. The order to march probably refers to Lincoln's General War Order No. 1, an attempt to prod his generals to act. By "Chatilerz" Wilder may have meant "chattelers," or those assigned the duty of moving war materiel.
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: 1862-04-09
Description: Topics include the rebels being strongly fortified at Lee's Mill, the preparations for a hard battle (the month-long siege of Yorktown), and Merrill's sickness. Detailed description of some dead and wounded 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: 1861-12-11
Description: Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Va of the regiment's scouting expedition, of Capt. Stowell's company, of obtaining two hogs from a pen, of the fact that the captain is not very liked and that Lt. Hamilton is well liked by the company. Cautions his mother against being bothered about hear say.
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: 1861-12-17
Description: Henry requests food items of sausages, a chicken pie, and cheese, writes that Merrill wants his mother to stuff 5 chickens, bake them and freeze them and send them in a box, of he and Merrill going to be tent mates.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of John M. Stone to Family

John M. Stone to Family

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Creator: Stone, John M., 1835-1915.
Date Created: 1861-12-[09]
Description: Topics include the health of the regiment and numerous deaths.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of John M. Stone to Family

John M. Stone to Family

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Creator: Stone, John M., 1835-1915.
Date Created: 1862-08-28
Description: Two letters dated Aug 28 & Aug 30 ; grateful for letters from home writing, pride in Vermont for providing soldiers, loading wagons onto the boats in Hampton (Va.?), pleased with the work done by black men, sending money home and news from home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Edward P. Stone Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Horatio P. Bruce to Smiley Bancroft

Horatio P. Bruce to Smiley Bancroft

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Creator: Bruce, Horatio P.
Date Created: 1862-06-26
Description: Topics include the death of Charles Bancroft from typhoid fever, the sickness of other men in the company, and that the fall of Richmond will bring the war to an end. Like many other writers, he refers to McClellan's reluctance to deploy his massive army.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Charles F. Bancroft 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: 1863-10-04
Description: Writes of family back home, that there is no military activity at present and of being asked if he might like to meet a young lady, Miss M. M. G. (i.e. Mary Gorton who later becomes his wife)
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Lyman S. Williams Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]

Ransom W. Towle to [Family and Friends]

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Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864.
Date Created: 1862-06-10
Description: Writing seven miles from Richmond topics include packing up camp and marching at 10pm, a terrible rain storm that soaked the men, of sick soldiers including Towle.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Ransom W. Towle Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]

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Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903.
Date Created: 1861-06-11
Description: Topics include the expected fight at Little Bethel and the battle at Great Bethel, where fewer than fifty men were killed on the Union side. Mentions German Regiment (Col. Bendix) and Duryea's Zouaves. Description of "friendly fire" incident. Excursion proved to be the most exhausting so far.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, Roswell Farnham Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War