Vermonters in the Civil War
Collection Overview
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 at the start of the Civil War, and will grow with additional materials throughout the years of the sesquicentennial commemoration, from 2011 through 2015. 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) will eventually be included; each adds a certain experience and point of view to the whole.
1861
In 1861, Vermont produced a three-month volunteer infantry regiment (the First Vermont Infantry) that served in Virginia from May through July. Five additional volunteer infantry regiments, mustered for three-year terms and numbered consecutively, were put in the field in the summer and fall, camping first in Washington and at Camp Griffin through the fall and winter. The First Vermont Cavalry regiment was also mustered and sent south in the fall of 1861.
Subject content for the 1861 letters and diaries covers a great deal of ground. The many logistical issues involved in launching the war effort come to light in the letters of General John W. Phelps, while officers such as Lieutenant Roswell Farnham often made thoughtful observations on the events and personalities in the camps and in the field. The enlisted men occasionally described important events in detail, but more often wrote about everyday life and concerns. Eyewitness accounts of engagements at Big Bethel (June 9-10), Bull Run (July 21), and Lewinsville (September 11) reveal the motivations and expectations of the men in arms, while descriptions of living conditions, drilling, sickness, and political intrigue provide insight on the soldiers’ experiences.
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.
Time Period Covered: 1861
Sub-collections
Charles F. Bancroft Correspondence
Horace Barlow Diary
Valentine G. Barney Correspondence
John Lester Barstow Correspondence
Barton Family Correspondence
John W. Campbell Correspondence
Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Justus F. Gale Correspondence
Solomon G. Heaton Correspondence
William Wirt Henry Correspondence
William C. Holbrook Correspondence
Albert A. May Correspondence
Benjamin F. Parmenter Correspondence
Joseph L. Perkins Correspondence
John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
George W. Quimby Correspondence
Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Joseph Spafford Correspondence
Edward and John Stone Correspondence
Ransom W. Towle Correspondence
Orlando S. Turner Correspondence
Wheelock Graves Veazey Correspondence
Daniel S. White Correspondence
Henry Harrison Wilder Correspondence
Lyman Williams Correspondence
Published: April 11, 2011, University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Center for Digital Initiatives
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to the UVM Libraries' Center for Digital Initiatives at cdi@uvm.edu. For more information, see http://cdi.uvm.edu/about/rights. More information.
Browse Options
Creator(s)
Recipient(s)
- , [9]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [9]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [9]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876 [5]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [4]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [3]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee, 1801-1869 [2]
- [Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876] [2]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876; Gale [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Louisiana [11]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [10]
- Military camps -- Vermont [9]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [7]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [4]
- Fort Jackson (La.) [2]
- Military campsLouisiana [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [2]
- Fort Saint Philip (La.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Poetry [1]
Format(s)
- text [48]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [48]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [33]
- United StatesArmy Military life [18]
- Food [17]
- Families of military personnel [12]
- Diseases [8]
- Pillage [4]
- Armed Forces Officers [3]
- Marching [3]
- Prisoners of war [3]
- Skirmishing [3]
- Slaves [3]
- African American soldiers [2]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [2]
- Contraband of war [2]
- Drill and minor tactics [2]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [2]
- Photographers [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Battle casualties [1]
- Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant)1818-1893 [1]
- Children and war [1]
- Executions and executioners [1]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [1]
- Fugitive slaves [1]
- Guerrilla warfare [1]
- Horses [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Morale [1]
- Racism [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- Sutlers [1]
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Browsing by:
Author: ("Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863")
Title: Justus E. Gale to Family
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-08-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a train crash, confiscating rebel property including horses, cattle, sheep and mules. Writes of having plenty of food on their travel back to camp including dining on lamb. Provided a meal at an old planters house. Mentions Negroes (slaves) and 1500 Blacks at camp, sending troops to Gen. Phelps, the expectation of getting paid, rebels killed in an encounter with the enemy.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-28
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters one dated March 28th and one April 6th.Topics include a description of the journey to Ship Island, Mississippi, being seasick, about the food and hard bread, poor quality water and little of it, writes of his faith in God and his sighting of the island.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-04
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father from Brattleboro topics include the duties of an orderly for a Colonel, the improved health of Justus Gale, and the expected journey to New York.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-12-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the health of Justus Gale, the mistaken attack (friendly fire) by the Indiana regiment, the process of making sugar done by the slaves, and the daily drilling in camp.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Sister
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-11-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the movement of the regiment to Brashear City, of city purchases by Justus Gale of barrels of apples which he resold by the piece, of buying tobacco, postage stamps, writing supplies, local terms for cash money, of commanding officers of 3rd Louisiana colored regiment and the dry weather.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Sister and Mother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-11-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a summary of the health of Justus Gale’s family, makes references to his faith, the movement of the regiment to Brashear City, a scene in camp as soldiers go about various activities, and the warm weather.
![Thumbnail: Justus E. Gale to [Family]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwvhsGaleJustus35_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Justus E. Gale to [Family]
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-08-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a poem titled “The Heavenly Home” and clearing up the rumor that Justus Gale is dead.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-04-05
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters, dated April 5th and 6th he writes from aboard the Ship Wallace heading for Ship Island. Mentions the "sugar place" back home in Elmore, Vt. Topics also include making a little bit of money buying and selling tobacco, the displeasure at having to remain on the ship, and the capture of two rebel steamers up the Mississippi River.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-01-24
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters in one dated Jan 24th and Jan 26th. Topics include the expectation that the war will end in a couple of months, waiting for military pay, anxious to hear from home, Sergeant U. A. Woodbury drilling the company, the stormy weather at camp, the bad food being served except for good bread from a local bakery, the good health of Gale and of him sending a picture in this letter.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-02-07
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Brattleboro, Vermont, topics include news of bombardment of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River (February 6, 1862) by Commodore Andrew Hull Foote (officer of the U.S. Navy) and General Ulysses S. Grant, a skirmish that resulted in finding a barrel of rum, food sometimes good but not the hash made in camp and the vaccination of the company for pox.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-02-27
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his brother from Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s journey and arrival back at Camp Holbrook after having gone home to Elmore, Vermont for a visit, the expectation of receiving pay, and the possibility of leaving for Ship Island, Mississippi soon.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the improvement of Justus Gale’s health, over $60 of military pay sent home, trading for a watch and the anticipated journey to New York and then on to Ship Island, Mississippi.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-04-24
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters dated April 24th and 25th. Topics include the capture of Fort Jackson(?) ; fort south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, [battle April 18-28], the food at camp good except greasy pork meat, and the schedule for the day including battalion drills and dress parade.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-05-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the process of choosing new officers and police in New Orleans, Gen. Butler's orders to the N.O. police being refused, illness among some of the soldiers, fruit berries available, other provisions few and expensive, summary of all the letters that have been received by Justus Gale, and how welcome the Vermont regiment is in New Orleans.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-07-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the 4th of July celebrations, guard duty of a bridge, diarrhea, accidental gun firing injuring a fellow soldier's hand, plenty of water but it is muddy river water, fresh local fruit and corn, and a brief account of Ship Island including mentioning how "black" the men were (either referring to being unclean or to mood).
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-08-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the sickness and deaths in the regiment including that of Lucias M Benson of Worcester from diphtheria whom Gale was caring for in the hospital, inquiries about home and family members, the lack of news from Richmond, and the hot weather in Algiers.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Family
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1861-12-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Hyde Park, Stowe, Montpelier, the company's Sunday Church experience, reference to various names of friends and family, anticipated destination Ship Island near the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Family
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1861-12-27
Resource type: correspondence
Writes from Brattleboro of the journey from Montpelier to Brattleboro, unit called Co. A, of other troops coming in, anticipates the regiment to be full in a few days, comfortable quarters, good food, Gov. Holbrook visited.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Family
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-07-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the sickness and deaths in the regiment due to Typhoid Fever and poor water, a report that Vicksburg was burned, and the call for the 11th and 12th regiments from Vermont.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-06-06
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the good living conditions in New Orleans, the Indiana regiment taking meat from the rebels, been on cooking duty, good meals, fresh beef, waiting for military pay and the possibility of leaving soon.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-06-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the living conditions and food in New Orleans, continues with cooking duty, the good weather, soldiers bringing back to camp chickens, eggs, an account of the poor treatment of slaves, two slave boys being rescued from ill treatment from their masters, and the observance of Sabbath in camp, wishing to know more news of the war than he can get in the South.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the good health of Justus Gale, a description of the land in Algiers including deep mud, swamp and tall grasses, and the sickness in the regiment.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-07-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the medicating himself after seeing the doctor twice to rid his diarrhea, taking of Richmond and rebel prisoners, the weather in Algiers, high price of provisions, inquires about family and the plan to go visit friends 4 miles away.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include his reference to his religious faith, the death of Justus Gale’s brother Charlie and of the death of Jester caused by the fever, the poor health of the rest of his family, the good health of himself and of sending on a photograph sent to him and of getting a photograph taken of him to send.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-11-07
Resource type: correspondence
Gale writes of his regiment and the rebels, of other troops encountering the enemy who left much camp supplies, cannon, etc. behind, receiving the Green Mountain Freeman, trying to appease both parents concerning the farm and deeding it back to his father, his concerns about his father having another woman in his life and how that affects him, and the expectation that the regiment will return to Algiers.
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