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)
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [33]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [28]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [19]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [18]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [17]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [13]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [11]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [10]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [10]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [9]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [6]
- Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913 [4]
- Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896 [4]
- Quimby, George W. [4]
- Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920 [4]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [4]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [3]
- Heaton, Solomon G. [3]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Stone, John M., 1835-1915 [2]
- Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903 [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan [1]
- Farnham, Mary E. [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Johnson, E. T. [1]
- Leffnis, N. S. [1]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [1]
- Murphy, Edward [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
- Terry, Henry L., 1820-1885 [1]
- Thurston, Quincy F., d. 1862 [1]
- Williams, Francis C. [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [23]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [19]
- Barney, Maria [13]
- Rutherford, Hannah [11]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [10]
- , [7]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [7]
- Towle, Sebra [7]
- Veazey, Julia A. [6]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [5]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [4]
- Henry, William Wirt, [4]
- Towle, Rufus [4]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [3]
- Henry, William Wirt [3]
- Veazey, Julia A., [3]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [2]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [2]
- Henry, John [2]
- Holbrook, Frederick [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [2]
- Williams, Lois L. [2]
- [Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876] [2]
- 1862-01-25, [1]
- Bancroft, Smiley [1]
- Bancroft,Mary, 1809-1878 [1]
- Barton, Melissa [1]
- Campbell, John W. [1]
- Gale,Abigail Albee, 1801-1869 [1]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876 [1]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876; Gale [1]
- Harding, C. H. [1]
- Henry, John, [1]
- Henry, Mary Jane [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Rutherford, Jacob [1]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [1]
- Spafford, Marianne, [1]
- Stone, John F. [1]
- White, Homer, [1]
- Williams, Caroline [1]
- Williams, Warren [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [55]
- Military camps -- Virginia [42]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [26]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [25]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [21]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [17]
- Military camps -- Vermont [14]
- Military camps -- Maryland [10]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [4]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [3]
- Military campsMaryland [3]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [3]
- Fort Jackson (La.) [2]
- Fort Saint Philip (La.) [2]
- Military campsVermont [2]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [2]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [1]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [1]
- Military campsLouisiana [1]
- Roanoke Island (N.C.)HistoryCapture, 1862 [1]
- SecessionSouthern States [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Destruction and pillage [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Participation, Juvenile [1]
Format(s)
- text [216]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [216]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy Military life [216]
- Diseases [35]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [29]
- Armed Forces Officers [28]
- Families of military personnel [26]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [11]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [11]
- Food [10]
- War casualties [10]
- Postal service [9]
- Marching [8]
- Prisoners of war [8]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [8]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [8]
- Homesickness [7]
- Military discipline [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [6]
- Horses [5]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [5]
- Military chaplains [5]
- Military leaves and furloughs [5]
- Recruiting and enlistment [5]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [5]
- Sutlers [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [5]
- Women in war [5]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [4]
- Slaves [4]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [4]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [4]
- African Americans [3]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [3]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [3]
- Fugitive slaves [3]
- Medicine, Military [3]
- Military funerals [3]
- Pillage [3]
- Religion [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863) [3]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [2]
- Children and war [2]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [2]
- Hardtack [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- Love-letters [2]
- Military hospitals [2]
- Military pay [2]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [2]
- Promotions, Military [2]
- Skirmishing [2]
- Slavery [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865)Company F [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [2]
- African American soldiers [1]
- Amputation [1]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Capitulations, Military [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862 [1]
- Grief [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Monitor (Ironclad) [1]
- Musicians [1]
- Photographers [1]
- Photographs [1]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [1]
- Richmond (Va.) [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [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 Psychological aspects [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("United StatesArmy Military life")
Title: Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother
Creator: Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896
Date: 1861-07-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiment moving to Virginia.
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 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 Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837
Date: 1861-08-26
Resource type: correspondence
August 26, 1861 from Great Falls Maryland. Writes of furloughs and discharges not being granted without good cause, illness among the men including measles, duty guarding the river, good fishing, having acquired a horse, quarters in an old hotel with creature comforts.
Title: Charles Dillingham to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837
Date: 1861-08-28
Resource type: correspondence
Writes of authority to enlist 40 men, Lt. Hoyt to go to Vermont to recruit instead of Charles Dillingham, need for good men, will try to discharge from the record those men who have died, were ordered to be in light marching order. May be to attack rebel camp across the river at Falls Church, some illness among the men.
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to Family
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1861-10-06
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include anticipation of a battle in Virginia and requests for some items from home.
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to Family
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1861-11-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the number of men who have either died or are sick in the regiment, the success at Port Royal, and the arrest of the Confederate Ministers to Europe, Mason and Slidell.
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 F. Bancroft to Parents
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1861-12-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include items received from home and events surrounding a bottle of brandy that was stolen.
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to Smiley Bancroft
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1861-12-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include picket guard, description of camp life, and a prediction of the future of the war.
![Thumbnail: Charles F. Bancroft to [Family]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwvhsBancroftCharles01_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Charles F. Bancroft to [Family]
Creator: Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862
Date: 1861-10-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include setting up a choir at camp and organizing the sale of Vermont butter.
![Thumbnail: E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham64_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Johnson, E. T.
Date: 1862-10-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include several companies camping on the riverbank in Maryland, Jackson’s army assembling in Leasburg, and preparing to march most likely to Edwards Ferry.
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: Edward P. Stone to Family
Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920
Date: [1861-10-?]
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a service the regiment attended.
Title: Edward P. Stone to Family
Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920
Date: 1861-11-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the death of William Fallon of Royalton from the measles.
Title: Edward P. Stone to Family
Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920
Date: 1861-12-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the improving health of the men in the regiment and officers being ordered home to recruit for the brigade.
Title: Edward P. Stone to John F. Stone
Creator: Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920
Date: 1861-12-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include preparing for the funerals of the men who died from sickness.
Title: Francis C. Williams to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Williams, Francis C.
Date: 1862-04-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiment being situated at Camp on Ship Island, the establishment of (religious?) services on Tuesdays, and the intellectual capacity of the men of the Vermont regiments.
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 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 Sister
Creator: Quimby, George W.
Date: 1861-10-26
Resource type: correspondence
Writes from Camp Griffin, Va, Smith's Division of camp life in general, of good food, of having been in several military advances since he last wrote, marching from Chain Bridge towards Lewinsville, "Sesesh" soldiers brought in with one having been said to have preached teh funeral service of Jackson and worth a lot of money, Picket Guard, Brigade Guard and sister's husband's health.
Title: George W. Quimby to Sister
Creator: Quimby, George W.
Date: 1861-10-31
Resource type: correspondence
Writes from Camp Griffin, Va. Smith's Division of consoling his sister Emeline on the death of her husband and how she should start taking care of the estate cautioning her about who she may trust and those town folks she should not be influenced by.
Title: George W. Quimby to Sister
Creator: Quimby, George W.
Date: 1861-11-30
Resource type: correspondence
Writes to sister Emeline B. Masta from Camp Griffin, Va of a description of a Grand Review by Gen. McClellan and staff with Pres. Abraham Lincoln in attendance, marching to Bailey's Cross Roads, expedition to Fairfax Court House for grain, receipt of quilt and pillow, death of two men from disease, reference to Thanksgiving Day
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