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)
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [8]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [4]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [4]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [3]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [2]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [2]
- , [1]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [1]
- Heaton, Solomon G. [1]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [1]
Recipient(s)
- Spafford, Mary Jane [6]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [4]
- Farnham, Mary [3]
- Towle, Rufus [2]
- Towle, Sebra [2]
- Williams,Lois L. [2]
- , [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874; Bancroft [1]
- Masta, Emeline B. [1]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [1]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [1]
- Spafford, Marianne [1]
- Veazey, Julia A., [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [7]
- Military campsVirginia [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- Military camps -- Vermont [1]
- Military campsMaryland [1]
- Richmond (Va.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [1]
Format(s)
- text [29]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [29]
Topic(s)
- Postal service [29]
- United StatesArmy Military life [9]
- Families of military personnel [6]
- Morale [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [6]
- Military hospitals [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [3]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [2]
- Marching [2]
- Military discipline [2]
- Military leaves and furloughs [2]
- Prisoners of war [2]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [2]
- War Economic aspects [2]
- Battle casualties [1]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Capitulations, Military [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [1]
- Pillage [1]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [1]
- Promotions, Military [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 14th (1862-1863) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [1]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [1]
- War Psychological aspects [1]
- War casualties [1]
- Women in war [1]
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Topic: ("Postal service")
Topic: ("Postal service")
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to Parents
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-02-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include reminiscences of church meetings in Vt., stimulated by his attendance of them at camp; how much he enjoys the supplies (footwear, clothing, food, brandy) from home; some medical treatment that was improved with brandy; his appreciation of family and home; a few words about postal delivery; and a map of the South he plans to give to his father. -- Because of winter, the war has slackened off a bit. Lincoln is still trying to force McClellan to act.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-11-30
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include George W. Quimby giving advice to his sister on whether or not to sell her house and the location of the regiment. Also, some grumblings about "that imbecile cabinet in Washington" and the post-McClellan command.
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 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 Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-01-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include marching orders, the cold weather, and the way the regiment sets up their guns so they are always ready. The order to march probably refers to Lincoln's General War Order No. 1, an attempt to prod his generals to act. By "Chatilerz" Wilder may have meant "chattelers," or those assigned the duty of moving war materiel.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-04-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a request for Wilder's mother to send him stamps, Wilder's predictions that he may never return home, and a description of the battle at Yorktown. Poignant thoughts about friends and loved ones near and far away.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-06-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain E. S. Stowell heading for Vermont to become a Major in the 9th Regiment, the death of Wilder's Aunt, and Wilder receiving his pay the next day. June 25 marks the beginning of the failed campaign against Richmond known as The Seven Days.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Marianne Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1862-03-29
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his mother from the Mansion House Hospital topics include being left behind by the Regiment due to his illness, impossibility of getting a furlough, number of men from the 4th Vermont in the hospital, Ellsworth’s house, and possibility of being sent to another hospital.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1861-11-17
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an expected package from home, lack of military pay, death of three men in the company from the fever, of a father retrieving his son's body..
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1862-04-02
Resource type: correspondence
Spafford continues to write from the Mansion House Hospital on topics that include worrying about his mother’s health, difficulty of getting a furlough, commenting on his preference to be a 2nd lieutenant and not a captain, detailed description of a day in the hospital, rules posted in the hospital, a dialogue he had with a drunken soldier from a California regiment, and description of a visit by a Vermonter from Windsor.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1861-10-8
Resource type: correspondence
Writes of good postal service on letter delivery, of Sargent Charley Reed, of Captain Altherton, of wanting a photograph of Homer, general good health of the men, a heavy rain storm that flooded his tent, of going out on Battalion drill.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1861-11-10
Resource type: correspondence
Writes of how a box can be sent, desire for larger size boots, stockings, apples, Meerschaumn pipe
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1862-03-06
Resource type: correspondence
Spafford writes of difficulty of getting postage stamps in the correct amount needed to mail letters home and that the prepared rations ordered for possible march on Feb 27th were consumed in camp.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1862-04-09
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his sister from the Mansion House Hospital topics include bad weather in Alexandria, Virginia, delayed arrival of letters from home, sewing on chevrons on his coat to help pass the time in his hospital room, and battle news of rebels defeated at Corinth and surrender of island no. 10.
Title: Joseph Spafford to Mary Jane Spafford
Creator: Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866
Date: 1862-12-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the 13th, 14th, and 15th regiments moving near Bull Run battlefield, Stoughton arriving in camp, his comfortable living quarters, plenty to eat and inquiries about home.
Title: Letter to Rufus and Sebra Towle
Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864
Date: 1861-11-25
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Griffen, Va. Topics include the health of the regiment (measles, Typhoid fever), requests for food, tea, clothing and the cold weather.
Title: Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
Date: 1862-05-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the hard marching to a camp owned by the rebel Colonel Lee and requests for items to be sent from home.
Title: Nathan A. Williams to Lois L. Williams
Creator: Williams, Nathan A., 1837-1903
Date: 1862-08-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the expectation of a battle and reinforcements. The anticipated battle was probably the 2nd Manassas or Bull Run campaign (Aug. 26-30, another win for the Confederates).
Title: Ransom W. Towle to Rufus and Sebra Towle
Creator: Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864
Date: 1862-04-03
Resource type: correspondence
Towle writes of orders received to march on Richmond, Virginia and of his many camp duties. He writes of soldiers letters being detained and of their camp being fired upon by the Rebels. No harm done.
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).
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham02_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include camp life, food (lack of some items, abundance of others), daily routine, occasional discomforts. Farnham mentions rumors that the Regiment won't be sent to the South but more likely to New York, even though most of the men are looking forward to battle. Some discussion about postal service, i.e. how long a letter will take for sender and recipient. Col. Phelps is lauded as a good disciplinarian.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham10_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include description of Fort Monroe, including "the big gun" and other armaments; overnight guard duty; being outside the fortress walls; staying in local hotel; good weather, food; low anxiety. Names: John Stearns, John Prichard, David Johnson; Laura, Ezekiel. Ships: Alabama.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham11_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the safety of the fort; definition of "columbiad" (delivers 10-inch cannonball); living arrangements (Willard Hotel); officers' food versus soldiers' food; daily drill and men's complaints; several lines about health concerns, children's health, not getting mail, and correct mailing address. Names: Pickett, John Prichard, Andross, Stearns, Charlie Peters, Mr. Batchelder, Woodstock Company.
Title: Solomon G. Heaton to ?
Creator: Heaton, Solomon G.
Date: 1862-12-10
Resource type: correspondence
Heaton writes that he is sending money home ($20), and that he needs $1 in postage stamps sent to him (the rest can go toward Lucy's board at school during the winter). His camp site, Belle Plains, Va., lies just east of Fredericksburg, the site of a major battle (Dec. 11-15, 1862) that began a day after Heaton wrote this note; hence, the need to be ready with sixty rounds of "catridges."
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-05
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Siegel topics include the mail from home being delivered after being misdirected, comments on family, digging in the ground creating storage spaces for items such as butter and milk, having fresh berries to eat, clearing up rumors revolving around the regiment, sun stroke suffered by one soldier due to the heat, cost of food.
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