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)
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [9]
- Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913 [3]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [2]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [2]
- Butler, Benjamin F. [1]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [1]
- Legar, Joseph [1]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [7]
- Holbrook, Frederick [2]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [2]
- Veazey, Julia A. [2]
- Harding, C. H. [1]
Place(s)
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [8]
- Military camps -- Virginia [7]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- Abolitionists -- United States -- History -- 19th century [2]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [2]
Format(s)
- text [20]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [20]
Topic(s)
- African Americans [20]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [8]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [4]
- Armed Forces Officers [3]
- Morale [3]
- Marching [2]
- Slavery [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [2]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [2]
- Antislavery movements [1]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Freedmen [1]
- Intrenchments [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Picketing [1]
- Prisoners of war [1]
- Racism [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Slaves [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("African Americans")
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: 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: John Lester Barstow to ?
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the comfortable lodgings of the regiment in New Orleans, the cost of food items, and the state of New Orleans when the Vermont Regiment arrived.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Father
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-12-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the fleeing of Rebels to Texas, the destruction and loss of property near New Orleans, and Barstow’s belief that the war must not end until the Union is restored.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-11-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the idleness of the Regiment since its arrival on the banks of the Bayon and the help the Negroes are receiving from the government.
Title: John Wolcott Phelps to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Phelps, John Wolcott
Date: 1862-10-03
Resource type: correspondence
John W. Phelps writes to Gov. Holbrook with topics including the perceived mistake of the President Abraham Lincoln in regards to the bargain the President is making with the slave states and moral issues associated with the decision.
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: Miscellaneous
Creator: Phelps, John Wolcott
Resource type: correspondence
Permission for "the Negro Dawson Speedley" to leave camp. Signed by Col. Phelps.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include two Louisiana Zouaves who were brought in by Col. Hawkins, accounts of their desertion and capture, rumors of an advancing Confederate force, and the anticipation of an enemy attack that never occurs. .
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham12_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the rebels burning Hampton Bridge, the funeral of Benjamin Underwood, the food the Massachusetts Regiment is receiving from home, and false alarms of rebels. Hampton population, whites and blacks. Fortress Monroe now has close to 4,000 soldiers encamped; news that Vt. Regiment is about to be shipped out, destination unknown. Names mentioned: Gen. Butler, Col. Washburn, Maj. Worthen, Lt. Pickett, Col. Phelps, Capt. Clark, Andross, Judge Underwood, John Prichard, Mr. May, Mr. Batchelder, Ed. Wilcox, John Richards, Dr. Hartley, Daniel Johnson.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham17_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [C. H.] Harding
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-03
Resource type: correspondence
Camp Butler, Newport['s] News: Farnham assesses regiment and its destiny: "We are better situated." Action at Hampton resulted in many freed slaves. Provost marshall duties involving confiscated property and "loose" slaves. Press coverage is exaggerated; Farnham's pride in the Green Mtn. Boys; politics among regiment officers. Apology for any offensive remarks. Heavy rain for several days; more slaves arriving. Steamer Harriet Lane fires on rebel battery at Pig Point; also commandeers ship with livestock and other foodstuffs--cheers from the troops. Mentions "Hawkins Zouaves" and "the Germans." Names: Officers Butler, Phelps, Packard, Peckett; soldiers Stebbins, Geo. Flanders, McFarland.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham22_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the duties of Provost Marshall, including the reception of runaway slaves. Mentions alerts for battle and false alarms; and illness within the regiment.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham39_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include further description of the 4th of July.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham40_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an encounter between the Zouaves and Rebels, flap-jacks and doughnuts in camp, an African-American prisoner by the name of Joe Wilson, the probability of not engaging in a fight, and the bugs and mosquitoes at camp.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham51_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-26
Resource type: correspondence
July 26, 1861. Writes from Camp Butler in Newport News, Va. of contraband (seven children), of sending 12 Negroes (7 of them children) to the Fort, of a fight and march to Yorktown and the health of his wife Mary.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham30_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include his concern about anxiety at home after the Battle of Big Bethel; Farnham's desire to save his letters; domestic financial affairs; names of men in the hospital, and one death (Ph. Lougee); Maj. Worthen has a servant, a young black boy named Pompey Wind.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham90_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-09
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from nearby Hunting Creek, Virginia at the headquarters of the 12th Vermont Volunteers about the cold weather in the South, eleven sick in the hospital, two of which had shot themselves. Reference made to Gen. McClellan being superseded by Gen. Burnside.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-09-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a skirmish in which a Rebel officer was taken prisoner and Wheelock G. Veazey’s black servant that he hired to work for him.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-[23]
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain Atherton recruiting for the 4th Vermont Regiment and General Phelps making a “fool” out of himself.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-07-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include returning to Baton Rouge and the comforts that came with this move, expresses his decided opinion on the ramifications of releasing “unlettered Negroes” (i.e. slaves), feels the blacks are well enough cared for in general, speaks against blacks as a possible fighting force, the treatment of the slaves who enter Union lines by the Union soldiers, feels politicians need to experience first hand the habits of black slaves of the south and not hold such lofty ideals, the attempted “cut off” of the Mississippi River by the Union, and the death of W. C. Holbrook’s grandfather.
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