Henry Harrison Wilder enlisted from Weybridge, VT on August 23, 1861 as corporal in Co. F, 5th Vermont Regiment. He was killed in action at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. Wilder wrote home about conditions at Camp Holbrook in St. Albans, Vermont... Show moreHenry Harrison Wilder enlisted from Weybridge, VT on August 23, 1861 as corporal in Co. F, 5th Vermont Regiment. He was killed in action at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. Wilder wrote home about conditions at Camp Holbrook in St. Albans, Vermont, and Camp Griffin in Virginia, where the Vermonters were hit hard by disease. Wilder described the progress of the Peninsula Campaign in the spring of 1862, including the battles of Lee's Mill and Williamsburg. Also included is a letter from Sergeant Merrill Samson of Weybridge, Wilder's best friend in the army, giving an account of his death, and several letters of condolence to Wilder's family. Show less
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... Show moreTopics 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. Show less
Topics include the regiment remaining at Camp Griffin and Wilder asking his mother's opinion on him and Merrion entering the regular scouts for five years.
