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)
- , [17]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [3]
- 1862-01-25, [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Military campsMaryland [4]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- Military camps -- Virginia [2]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [1]
- SlaveryUnited StatesHistory [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Participation, Juvenile [1]
Format(s)
- text [24]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [24]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy Military life [10]
- Battle casualties [8]
- Horses [7]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [6]
- Armed Forces Officers [5]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [2]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [2]
- Postal service [2]
- African Americans [1]
- Children and war [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Diseases [1]
- Families of military personnel [1]
- Guerrilla warfare [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Military discipline [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [1]
- Promotions, Military [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25) [1]
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Author: ("Smith, Henry A., d. 1864")
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-11
Resource type: correspondence
From camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels, praise of McClellan, reference to Bull Run, John Pope and some of the other men who have been wounded.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith losing his horse, camp punishment of John H. Willard for disobeying an order, and the numerous men who were wounded and killed.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-12-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey to Washington and rations.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-04-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an encounter with the rebels that resulted in three rebel deaths and two rebel prisoners, getting pay.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-05-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include General Banks' Division falling back to Strasburgh, the frequent skirmishes with Ashbys Cavalry, an account of a man in Company I who shot a rebel, Smith's hand wounded by a fellow soldier playing carelessly with a sabre, men eating well, mention of Oliver Cushman of Hartland who was promoted to second Lieutenant, reference to military pay.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-07-28
Resource type: correspondence
From Culpeper Court House (Virginia) topics include a list of regiments in the area including the 1st Vt, the hope that Captain Rundlett submits his resignation, the resignation of Colonel Kellogg, the acquiring of double barrel shotguns taken from the citizens, brief reference to Gen. McClellan and Gen. John Pope and the prediction that the war will not last much longer.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-08-14
Resource type: correspondence
Six miles south of Culpeper (Virginia) two letters included dated Aug 15 and Aug 15. Topics include an exchange of fire near the Orange Court House, the numerous rebel deaths, injuries, and prisoners, and another terrible battle at Culpeper with references to Jackson, Banks and John Pope.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-12-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Washington to Anapolis, Maryland and an account of a runaway slave.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-01-10
Resource type: correspondence
From Annapolis, Maryland topics include the welcoming in New York City, pay soon and to be in Treasury notes, description and conditions at the camp in Annapolis, 21 horses of the regiment's that died in transport or in the mud since leaving Burlington and a list of items wanted and what type of box they are to be put in.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith receiving his payment, a request for some items from home, and the bad weather in Annapolis.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-03-30
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Annapolis to Harpers Ferry, Henry Smith's good health, liking the hand made shirt he received from home very much, keeps his brandy with him, burning of the post office by the Confederates, requests more postage stamps.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-05-27
Resource type: correspondence
From Williams Post, Maryland Smith writes 2 letters one dated May 27 and one May 28. (First Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862). Topics include a terrible battle in and near Winchester in which he escaped injury, of many men from the regiment being lost but many returning to camp the next day, rebels suffering great losses, mentions General Shields, General Fremont and General Banks, cautions given to his siblings at home regarding being in and near the water.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the defeat and retreat of the regiment to Williamsport (Battle of Harrisonburg?? June 6), telling of southern woman firing upon union soldiers, of the shooting death of a drummer boy by a southern woman, description of a rebel regiment's clothing recognized as the Louisiana Tigers, transporting the sick and wounded by wagon to hospitals, a summary of the men who were lost or wounded.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Williamsport to Snickers Ferry on the Shenandoah River, mentions by name men missing from the Company, mentions horses in battle, of his horse having had very little to eat, the rumor that General Pope is going to take control of the army, Gen. Fremont resigning, Gen. Banks to be Assistant Sec. of War, and the Quarter Master Old Jones & Lieutenant Grover's waiter being taken prisoners.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-07-05
Resource type: correspondence
From Snickers Ferry on the Shenandoah River topics include news from Richmond, rumor that Stonewall Jackson was killed, having enough to eat including local peaches & cherries found in Virginia, horses well fed, men on picket duty, newspaper report that General McClellan taken prisoner along with 40,000 of his men, and Henry Smith's homesickness.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-10-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the soldiers have to pay for them.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-10-11
Resource type: correspondence
From camp near Alexandria, Va topics include the bad weather, the continuous firing of shots from the Washington Navy Yard, enjoys watching the new recruits, the prediction that Lant Blake will not live, still requesting boots and apples.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-11-06
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters dated Nov 6 and Nov 11.Topics include a skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, Henry Smith out riding the rebels thus avoiding almost being captured, a number of Union soldiers captured, lots of honey and fowl to eat and the burning of Haymarket.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-11-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the arrival of the package from home that had includes apples and chicken but those were eaten by Jarvis Wentworth, pictures of relatives received, admiration of his new boots, Henry Smith's friend Fenney hoping to become his brother-in-law, and the death of a boy names Henry Holt of Hartland, gives advice on how to best care for a horse.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-02
Resource type: correspondence
From Alexandria, Virginia topics include transporting the sick, injured and "used up horses", the expectation of new horses, the extensive fortifications between Alexandria and Centerville, the horrors of war, the restriction of letter writing until 10 days following a battle, reference to men having fought in a battle but does not say which one (Pope's Campaign??) and Henry Smith's wish to return home.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Friends
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-11-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the snow in Burlington and the difficulties caused by the weather.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-14
Resource type: correspondence
A very brief letter from near Alexandria, Va. Topics include Henry Smith getting paid, the resignation of Colonel Tompki, General Blake returning home, a fellow soldier awaits court-martial.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-11-20
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Chantilla, Virginia topics include the anticipation of receiving a package from home. Box directed to the camp at Alexandria for a few items were sent on to his current location.Mentions his good health and that he often feels better out scouting than when he stays in camp. States fellow Vermonter taken prisoner. Inquires about folks and activities at home.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-12-05
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters one dated Dec 5th and one 6th. Topics include the snowy weather, Henry Smith's good health, and the difficult times the men who were drafted will face.
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