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 [76]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Leffnis, N. S. [2]
- Mason, E. P. [2]
- Farnham, Mary E. [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Prichard, George; Baldwin, C. C. P.; and Johnson [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [56]
- Harding, C. H. [6]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [4]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Mason, E. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [38]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [27]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [18]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [10]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [7]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [5]
- Military camps -- Vermont [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [2]
Format(s)
- text [88]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [88]
Topic(s)
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [88]
- United StatesArmy Military life [29]
- Families of military personnel [19]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [15]
- Morale [10]
- Armed Forces Officers [4]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [4]
- Postal service [3]
- Prisoners of war [3]
- Battle casualties [2]
- Diseases [2]
- Freedmen [2]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [2]
- Fugitive slaves [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [2]
- Patriotism [2]
- Pillage [2]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Women in war [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Love-letters [1]
- Military discipline [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Picketing [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 2nd (1862-1863) [1]
- VermontAdjutant and Inspector General's Office [1]
- War Psychological aspects [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("Farnham, Roswell1827-1903")
Title: Asa P. Blunt to E. Mason
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the questioning of G. Mason’s loyalty to the United States government by Col. Blunt, denial of protection Mason has requested, the suggestion that Mason take the oath of allegiance to the U.S. or suffer the consequences of possible destruction of property.
Title: Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1862-10-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass allowing Roswell Farnham to and from Washington D.C.
Title: Battle of Big Bethal, Va June 10th, 1861
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a map that shows various maneuvers of Farnham's company; inaccuracies in the newspaper account of the Battle of Big Bethel; and various ailments, aches & pains endured during the march.
![Thumbnail: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham84_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
Creator: Mason, E. P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include E. P. Mason asking Roswell Farnham for his help in protecting his sick family.
![Thumbnail: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham86_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
Creator: Mason, E. P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include G. Mason stationed in Spring Bank Virginia requesting of Col. Blunt that guards be stationed around his house and wood pile for protection.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-12-02
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham receives a brief letter from Governor Frederick Holbrook of Vermont writing from Montpelier of Farnham's concerns about soldier vacancies in the Vermont regiments and the method to fill them. Mentions Col. Proctor.
Title: George Prichard, C. C. P. Baldwin, and R. C. Johnson to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Prichard, George; Baldwin, C. C. P.; and Johnson
Date: 1862-10-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the presentation of a horse to Roswell Farnham because of his patriotism.
Title: Mary E. Farnham to Henry
Creator: Farnham, Mary E.
Date: 1862-12-24
Resource type: correspondence
Mary Farnham writes from near Fairfax Court House in Virginia to her brother, Henry, of soldiers being taken prisoners, of the wounded, of casualties, of checking rabbit traps for food. She mentions the weather, of her tour of camp, of sickness among the troops, of her excellent dinner at camp with Mrs. Blunt, Mrs. Stearns and others, and writes of family back home.
Title: N. S. Leffnis
Creator: Leffnis, N. S.
Date: 1862-12-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass instructing guards to allow Mrs. Blunt and Mrs. Mary Farnham to cross Long Bridge and enter camp of the 12th Vermont Volunteers by order of General Casey .
Title: N. S. Leffnis to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Leffnis, N. S.
Date: 1862-11-21
Resource type: correspondence
Orders to guards to allow Roswell Farnham to travel to and from Washington and Alexandria via Long Bridge by order of General Casey ; N.S. Jeffries, Assist. Adjt. General.
Title: Report
Date: 1862-12-15
Resource type: correspondence
Pass for Roswell Farnham to return from Washington to the 12th Vermont Volunteers camp by order of Col. A. P. Blunt and approved by Brig Genl E. H. Stoughton and Geo W. Hooker.
Title: Report
Date: 1862-12-12
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass allowing Col. Roswell Farnham of the 12th Vermont Volunteers to travel to Washington D.C. as approved by Col. Asa P. Blunt and Brig. Genl S. H. Stoughton.
Title: Report of property found in the several companies of the 1st Vermont Regiment…
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-24
Resource type: correspondence
List compiled by Farnham of items found or stolen from citizens by soldiers during a campaign.
Title: Roswell Farnham to ?
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-09-22
Resource type: correspondence
A special order for the Twelfth Regiments to report to Brattleboro.
Title: Roswell Farnham to C. H. Harding
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-07
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham's regiment in Rutland gets the news that they are to leave for Fort Monroe, Va., via rail car and then boat. News of the deployment raises morale; the men are ready for a good fight (recurring theme in Farnham's letters).
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-12-14
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes to his sister, Laura, about the regiment moving to a new camp near Fairfax Courthouse (Fairfax, Virginia), the arrival of Mary Farnham and Mrs. Blunt, the movement of General Sigel and his 20 to 40,000 troops, and reference to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Dec 11-15).
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-12-31
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from Camp Vermont near Fairfax Court House, Va. to his sister, Laura, of rebel threatening, of military action with the rebels, of Col. Stoughton's entry into the rebel camp, of wife Mary's reaction to gunfire, of Jackson and his 12,000 men on the march maybe to Harper's Ferry.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Laura's earache and the proximity of Newport News to the enemy.
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. .
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-10-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the expectation of being mustered, having a review and inspection, and receiving their pay.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-10-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the accommodations in camp, Roswell Farnham’s health, and Roswell Farnham teaching the commissioned officers of the right wing.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-10-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Roswell Farnham being concerned about his sister Laura’s health.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiments location relative to Alexandria, Virginia and Mount Vernon, a description of G. Mason ( a Southern secessionist), troops commandeering and occupation of Mason's property, the ruins of other mansions in the area, and the continued improvement of Laura’s health (Farnham's sister).
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-20
Resource type: correspondence
Roswell Farnham warning is sister, Laura, about over eating, about his trip from Alexandria, Va. to Washington, D.C. and what he saw there, and the anticipation of his wife, Mary's starting her journey to camp.
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