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)
- Holbrook, Frederick [9]
- Fairbanks, Erastus [3]
- Holbrook, W. C. [3]
- Morrill, Justin S. [2]
- Andross, Dudley K. [1]
- Baxter, Horace Henry [1]
- Boynton, William H. [1]
- Browne, A. G. [1]
- Bush, Joseph [1]
- Butler, Benjamin F. [1]
- Cannon, Le Grand B. [1]
- Clark, Lawrence D. [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [1]
- Halsey, Thomas H. [1]
- Hayward, Eben S. [1]
- Hunt, Leavitt [1]
- Jackman, A. [1]
- Legar, Joseph [1]
- Morse, E. A. [1]
- Peck, David B. [1]
- Pelton, William W. [1]
- Perkins, Hiram E. [1]
- Ripley, Wm. Y. W. [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Tuttle, Oscar S. [1]
- Tyler, Jonathan Curtis [1]
- Worthen, Harry N. [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Phelps, John Wolcott [33]
Place(s)
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [6]
- Military camps -- Virginia [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [4]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [1]
Format(s)
- text [33]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [33]
Topic(s)
- Armed Forces Officers [20]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [6]
- Recruiting and enlistment [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [5]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [4]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [2]
- Battle casualties [2]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [2]
- Patriotism [2]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [2]
- Draft United States [1]
- Prisoners of war [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [1]
-
- | 1 - 25 of 33 |
-
- Thumbnails | List | Timeline
Browsing by:
Recipient: ("Phelps, John Wolcott")
Title: A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Jackman, A.
Date: 1861-05-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
![Thumbnail: A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps18_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Browne, A. G.
Date: 1861-10-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the battle of the 21st near Leesburg and flags of truce.
Title: Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Butler, Benjamin F.
Date: 1861-07-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the summoning of Roys Nicholas Colbert and Charles Stepheny to Command General Benjamin F. Butler.
Title: E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morse, E. A.
Date: 1861-08-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include rations for the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia for May 23rd to August 8th, processing routine, the offering of the position of Quartermaster in the 4th Vermont Regiment, writer's decline of the position.
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1861-07-29
Resource type: correspondence
Letter from Vt. House Rep. Erastus Fairbanks writing about the storage of military equipment that has not otherwise been disposed of at Fort Monroe, Va., mentions loss of supplies by the 2nd Regiment at Manassas.
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1862-09-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment and the lack of newspaper coverage of the Regiment's positive attributes. The battles in Maryland would include Antietam Creek, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Fairbanks also mentions a rumor of Phelps's resignation, which had indeed occurred in August, 1862. Some thoughts about slavery, government, and the Constitution.
![Thumbnail: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to
Erastus Fairbanks](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps07_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1861-06-04
Resource type: correspondence
First letter is from Governor Erastus Fairbanks writing from St Johnsbury, Vt. Topic includes scandalous reports of officers in the 1st Regiment regarding the neglect of sick soldiers by the surgeon and assistant surgeon in military hospital. Second letter to the Gov. from Danl. Roberts writes of the sources of the reports and that the matter requires investigation.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Mrs. Holbrook requesting General Phelps to forward her letters to her son and Frederick Holbrook inquiring after the sick men and the number of surgeons. Holbrook expresses frustration that the Vt. Regiments (7th & 8th) are still not under Phelps's command, per an agreement with Gen. Butler. Holbrook also mentions Phelps's "Dark Brigade," black troops that Phelps recruited in Louisiana without permission from the War Dept. (Phelps resigned in Aug., 1862.)
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-08-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include John Wolcott Phelps being promoted to Brigadier General by President Lincoln and the Senate, as well as a state election (held first Tuesday in September) for which Frederick Holbrook is running for governor. Holbrook mentions again his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-11-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include organizing Companies or Batteries of Light Artillery for General B. F. Butler's "New England Division". Holbrook again writes of his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps. Also writes of making Lt. Roberts of Rutland a Colonel of the 7th Regiment, of his disappointment of General Baxter not being elected Adjutant General. Col. Washburn got the post.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-10
Resource type: correspondence
Upbeat letter delivered to Gen. Phelps by the writer's son, William C. Holbrook, who apparently turned down an offer to join Phelps's staff. The writer, Gov. Holbrook, lavishes praise on Vermont officers and soldiers (including his son), and sends warm wishes for success to Phelps, sharing his conviction that "the Union Cause must triumph." Holbrook concludes with some reflections on the difficulty of being a wartime governor.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-05-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the arrival of the 7th and 8th Vermont Regiments at Ship Island, off the coast of Miss., and arrangements with the War Department for wounded troops to be sent home. Holbrook mentions the Battle of Yorktown (April 5-May 4, 1862), esp. the "affair" on April 16 that left ca. 100 Vermont soldiers wounded. Holbrook is in charge of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-07-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the President calling for 300,000 additional troops, the wish that the National Government will develop a decisive policy to "proclaim war to the knife," and a description of Frederick Holbrook's son Major Will. Holbrook continues to express his admiration for Phelps and offer him greater forces to command.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Frederick Holbrook requesting that his son William be under General John Wolcott Phelps' command in the position of Aid, Secretary or of some type of assistant.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-06
Resource type: correspondence
In his letter to General Phelps, Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont (1861-1863), expresses his admiration for several Union officers from Vermont and his pride in the 8th Vt. Regiment. He informs the general that two infantry regiments and two artillery companies are ready to serve. (This is about one month before the Union attack on New Orleans, launched in part from Ship Island, just off the coast of Mississippi.) Holbrook explains that they would have been sent a month earlier "had Government been ready with funds." He looks forward to seeing Phelps again after the war.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-11-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' commanding Butler's New England Division and inviting Frederick Holbrook's son William to be his Aid-de-Camp. Mention of 7th Vermont Regiment (the old 1st reorganized) also being attached to Butler, of Lt. Roberts being given Colonelcy of the 7th, of Major Kimball of the New Jersey 9th for Lt. Col. of the 8th Regiment, reference to Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Title: Horace Henry Baxter to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Baxter, Horace Henry
Date: 1861-05-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include potentially offering Colonel Phelps command of a three year regiment and inquiring how many horses are needed for his Regiment.
Title: Jonathan Curtis Tyler to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Tyler, Jonathan Curtis
Date: 1861-06-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Jonathan Curtis Tyler, a soon to be Yale graduate, appealing to Col. John Wolcott Phelps for a chance to serve his country in one of the four Vermont regiments that were currently recruiting.
Title: Joseph Legar to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Legar, Joseph
Date: 1861-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include trying to save Isaac Jones' property.
Title: Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morrill, Justin S.
Date: 1861-07-20
Resource type: correspondence
Vermont Representative Justin S. Morrill writes about anticipated visit of Mr. Tewksbury of Boston, Mass. to military camp in Newport News, Virginia.
Title: Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morrill, Justin S.
Date: 1861-07-31
Resource type: correspondence
House Representative Justin S. Morrill writes from Washington about Col. John Wolcott Phelps (at Fort Monroe, Va.) receiving an appointment.
Title: Leavitt Hunt to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Hunt, Leavitt
Date: 1861-10-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Mr. Cutts of Brattleboro and Leavitt Hunt asking Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to write a recommendation for a friend who was hoping to receive a Colonelcy position so as to raise a regiment in Vermont. Writer mentions the Army in the Potomac with 80,000 men on the other side of the river. Written from the Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Title: Letter to John Wolcott Phelps
Date: 1862-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
Holbrook waxes eloquent in his call for a "'Great Awakening' at Washington" and a greater awareness of how "our present severe training" will make the nation stronger; but the federal government needs to take the war seriously in order to have victory. Accordingly, Holbrook supports Lincoln's call for 300,000 additional troops, but suggests that a million men in arms would bring success. Intuits correctly that Phelps's "Dark Brigade" (black troops) would not be allowed to bear arms.
Title: Salmon Dutton to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Dutton, Salmon
Date: 1861-09-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Salmon Dutton requesting the position of Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' "Aides de Camp". Dutton outlines at length his military experience and with whom he has served. Mentions General William F. Smith, Col. Barker, Captain Tuttle, Major General McClellan, General King.
Title: Thomas H. Halsey to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Halsey, Thomas H.
Date: 1861-09-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include John Wolcott Phelps' pay as Colonel for the 1st Vermont Volunteers and as Brigadier General once he accepts the position.
-
- | 1 - 25 of 33 |
-
- Thumbnails | List | Timeline