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.
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Creator(s)
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [27]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [17]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [12]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [11]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [10]
- Holbrook, Frederick [8]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [6]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [5]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [5]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [5]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [4]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [3]
- Holbrook, W. C. [3]
- Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896 [3]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [2]
- Fullam, Volney S. [2]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [2]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [2]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [1]
- Baxter, Horace Henry [1]
- Beard, Albin [1]
- Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930 [1]
- Browne, A. G. [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan [1]
- Cannon, Le Grand B. [1]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [1]
- Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910 [1]
- Halsey, Thomas H. [1]
- Hunt, Leavitt [1]
- Jackman, A. [1]
- Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916 [1]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [1]
- Morrill, Justin S. [1]
- Murphy, Edward [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
- Turner, Orlando S., b. 1839 [1]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Phelps, John Wolcott [20]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [19]
- Veazey, Julia A., [14]
- Veazey, Julia A. [12]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [11]
- Holbrook, Frederick [11]
- Henry, William Wirt, [7]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [5]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [5]
- , [4]
- Farnham, Mary [4]
- Masta, Emeline B. [3]
- Rutherford, Hannah [3]
- Bancroft,Mary, 1809-1878 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [1]
- Beard, Albin [1]
- Butler, B. F. [1]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [1]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [1]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [1]
- Harding, C. H. [1]
- Henry, William Wirt [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Holbrook, F. F. [1]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [1]
- Towle, Sebra [1]
- Turner, Louisa A. [1]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [1]
- Williams,Warren, Williams Caroline [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [23]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [18]
- Military camps -- Virginia [13]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [13]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [7]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [7]
- Chicago (Ill.) [6]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [5]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [4]
- Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862 [3]
- Military camps -- Vermont [3]
- Military campsVermont [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [3]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [3]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [2]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- Military camps -- Mississippi [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [2]
- Fort Pike (La.) [1]
- Military camps -- Maryland [1]
- Military campsLouisiana [1]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [1]
- SecessionSouthern States [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865African Americans [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Flags [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Prisoners and prisons [1]
- Winchester (Va.) [1]
Format(s)
- text [148]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [148]
Topic(s)
- Armed Forces Officers [148]
- United StatesArmy Military life [28]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [27]
- Morale [20]
- Battle casualties [17]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [10]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [9]
- Drill and minor tactics [8]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [8]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [7]
- Food [7]
- Picketing [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865) [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [7]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [6]
- Love-letters [6]
- Marching [6]
- Military pay [6]
- Military discipline [5]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [5]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [4]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [4]
- Horses [4]
- Photographs [4]
- Postal service [4]
- Recruiting and enlistment [4]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [4]
- African Americans [3]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [3]
- Homesickness [3]
- Intrenchments [3]
- Military hospitals [3]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [3]
- Skirmishing [3]
- Sutlers [3]
- African American soldiers [2]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [2]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Newspapers [2]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [2]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [2]
- Savage's Station, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [2]
- Women in war [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [1]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Bounties, Military [1]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Capitulations, Military [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Freedmen [1]
- Fugitive slaves [1]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Pillage [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- Steamboats [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 14th (1862-1863) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
- War casualties [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("Armed Forces Officers")
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. Parmenter to Brother
Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896
Date: 1861-07-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Benjamin F. Parmenter's negative opinion of an attack ( the first battle of Bull Run--see letter 3).
Title: Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896
Date: 1861-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiment being located at Bush Hill Camp, rumors that they may join up with another brigade, more discussion of the 1st Battle of Bull Run, Parmenter's low opinions of the regiments officers,and his disappointment in the treatment of the soldiers.
Title: Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896
Date: 1861-10-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the policy of the war department to not allow anyone to go home regardless of their circumstances,enquiries about home, Parmenter's growing disillusion with the Army, and a discussion about "the Southern confederacy is a fixed fact."
Title: Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Canning, Charles C., b. 1828
Date: 1862-05-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the defeat of General Banks (Battle of Winchester, May 25) , the promotion of Lt. Col. Stannard, and the request to William Henry to raise a company so that Charles Canning may become a captain. Canning mentions orders from McClellan to prepare for "a bloody battle," but major fighting doesn't ensue until May 31st (Battle of Seven Pines, May 31), when Confederates take advantage of Union positions on the south side of the Chickahominy River.
Title: Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Canning, Charles C., b. 1828
Date: 1862-07-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the movement of the regiment to Harrison's Landing, the extensive loss in the 5th Vermont Regiment (Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862), the arrest of Captain Eaton, and a request for a few goods from home.
Title: Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910
Date: 1862-05-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the expectation of a "big old fight" near Richmond (Battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, ended June 1st, 1862), and the report of a fight led by "Porter and Stonman" (Fitz John Porter and George Stoneman, both Union officers) against 17,000 rebels (actual number: 4,500). This was the Battle of Hanover Court House, 18 miles north of Richmond, on May 27th, 1862. Mentions the appointment of Col. George J. Stannard to lead the Vt. 9th Regiment.
Title: Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837
Date: 1861-08-16
Resource type: correspondence
Writes of wishing to be sent food such as dried beef, cheese, pickles, maple sugar, crackers. Mentions Bush Hill, camping in rainy weather with everything they had being wet, brigade review by General Smith, discontent among the officers. In need of recruits.
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to Mary Bancroft
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-02-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Charles Bancroft's health, the food that is being cooked in camp, and the capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn. Bancroft wasn't involved in it, but the fall of Ft. Donelson reminds him that his tour of duty, if not the whole war, may be over by year's end. Bancroft sounds more confident as a soldier (enjoys picketing) and is certain he could serve another two years if asked.
Title: Charles H. Joyce to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916
Date: 1862-08-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include C.H. Joyce's hope of being put in charge of the 11th regiment and anticipation of the camp moving. This would be the evacuation of Harrison's Landing, where McClellan had kept his Army of the Potomac for several weeks. Joyce refers to "old W." (Wash. DC?) and "Gov. H.," Frederick Holbrook, influential governor of Vt., 1861-1863. Also: Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862, where Joyce performed well.
Title: Edward Murphy to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Murphy, Edward
Date: 1862-07-21
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from camp at Westover Landing, Virginia topics include trying to convince William Henry to come join Company D in the 2nd Regiment, mentions officers resigning and hopes to take Richmond by the end of the summer.
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: 1862-07-27
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: 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: George J. Stannard to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Stannard, George J., 1820-1886
Date: 1862-01-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include inquiring after William Henry's health, the sickness in the regiment, and a brief description of drills and picket duty and makes mention of not being promoted, states Capt Dillingham to be promoted.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-03-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the anticipation of marching to Alexandria in just over a week’s time, the resignation of Captain Tucker, and the promotion of George W. Quimby to captaincy. Mentions the slow moving Grand Army of the Potomac and the feeling that it may never see any fighting.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-02-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include descriptions of George W. Quimby’s superior officers, plus an incident that led to the arrest of a commanding officer, who was later exonerated.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-05-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the hardships George W. Quimby is enduring, a brief account of fighting on the 6th of May (Battle of Williamsburg, Va.). Quimby describes "the horrid scenes of war": dead and dying soldiers in the aftermath of battle. Mentions generals Smith, Hancock, Sumner, Hooker, and Magruder.
Title: George W. Quimby to Parents
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-11-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include rumors of an upcoming march and the suspension of General McClellan. (Major Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside would assume command of the Army of the Potomac.) Quimby still hoping to receive a warm coat from home.
Title: George W. Quimby to Tucker
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-04-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the location of the company and a brief account of the battle of Lee's Mill. Also a comment about one legislator "Morrels" (Justin Morrill?) stating that Gen. William Smith was drunk. A summary of promotions.
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