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)
Recipient(s)
- Veazey, Julia A. [58]
- Veazey, Julia A., [36]
- Beard, Albin [2]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [44]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [40]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [30]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [4]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [4]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- SecessionSouthern States [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Women [2]
- AbolitionistsUnited StatesHistory19th century [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [1]
Format(s)
- text [96]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [96]
Topic(s)
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [88]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [39]
- Love-letters [29]
- Armed Forces Officers [27]
- Morale [25]
- Battle casualties [8]
- Military discipline [7]
- Marching [6]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [4]
- Patriotism [4]
- Women in war [4]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [3]
- African Americans [2]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [2]
- Diseases [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [2]
- Promotions, Military [2]
- Slavery [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [2]
- War Economic aspects [2]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Bounties, Military [1]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [1]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [1]
- Military chaplains [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Postal service [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Skirmishing [1]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863) [1]
- War Psychological aspects [1]
- War casualties [1]
- War victims [1]
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Author: ("Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898")
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-11-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the cold nights and the toll it takes and Wheelock G. Veazey’s responsibilities in camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-15
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes a brief note about waiting for his wife's letters, the muddy weather, and other officers’ wives joining their husbands at camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-16
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Camp Griffin, Va. topics include admiring and comments on wife’s photograph, officers quarreling and difficulties with General Brooks.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-08-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the promotion of Lt. Col. Hyde to Col., Wheelock G. Veazey to Lt. Col., and Seaver to Major.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-09-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Butler’s victory and an overview of all the promotions in the Regiment.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-09-06
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include advancements made by the Regiment although they have not seen any action yet.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-09-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a detachment that surrounded Lewinsville in hopes of capturing a force of cavalry, however only found a small company of picket guard; as well as an attack on the Regiment that left several men wounded. This is Lt. Col. Veazey's initial account what is now known as the Battle of Lewinsville.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-11
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes of his love for his wife Julia, refers to her being away from home on a visit, anxiety about her friends while away and wonders if Mrs. A. (i.e. Mrs. Atherton) is having an influence on her behavior.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-14
Resource type: correspondence
Writing on February 14 (Valentine's Day) topics include worry about his wife’s behavior, hinting at in an unwritten way of his suspicion of Julia's flirting with other men and news from camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-18
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes of his deep love and passion for Julia, reassures her he never distrusted her regarding her behavior, his minor health problems and expresses sympathy for a newly married comrade possibly wounded or very ill.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-23
Resource type: correspondence
An apologetic Wheelock Veazey explains how much he trusts his wife and asks her forgiveness for doubting her, hints at future children in their lives.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Veazey’s promotion to Provost Marshall, what his duties are, campaign strategy and reference to General Porter, Centreville and campaign in the south west.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-06
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include new duties as Provost Marshall, reference to several officers, his opinion of the fighting is for an idea as the Southern land, climate and people are not worth much, longs to be at home.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include love of his wife, memories of time spent with her and mention of a contraband bringing important information to camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include movements of the Regiment, his duties as Provost Marshall and his opinions of General Smith and General Fremont.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include movement of the Army to Clouds Mills in a rainstorm, impossibility of getting to the enemy via land, presence of fortifications at Manassas, observations about McClellan, and reminiscences of good times spent with his wife.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-06
Resource type: correspondence
Writing in the field topics include moving from Yorktown to James River, the rebels withdrawing from Youngs Mills, and a description of General Smith.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-09
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Camp Union Mills, Va. topics include a description of the fast day with sports being played, a prediction that the next campaign will end the war, and a description of the rebel army.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-17
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Winfield Scott topics include Motts battery engaging the rebels, an account of Wheelock Veazey’s regiment driving the rebels back, references to several officers and their men and the losses during the skirmishes.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a brief love letter, continuous firing from the rebels, men being pressed into service for the Confederate army (reference to the Irish), reference to the Merrimack, Rebel rifle pits, and the number of men who were killed or injured in the skirmishes.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-22
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes to Julia of how much he loves and misses her and addressing lies told about General Smith, McClellan's favorable opinion of Gen. Smith along with that of other officers.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-07
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from in the field topics include a detailed description of the fighting and victory near Williamsburg, Virginia, reference to Hookers Division, Fort Magruder, General Smith, General Hancock, the men that were injured or lost in the battle, public buildings being used as hospitals and Confederate General Ripley killed in action.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-14
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from the field 26 miles from Richmond, Virginia topics include a description of camp at Cumberland Landing on the Pamunkey River (tributary of the York River in eastern Virginia), the White House Farm estate, restrictions of the soldiers to respect and not touch anything belonging to the house or grounds, the expectation of a battle at the Chickahominy Swamp, reference to Gen. McClellan and his divisions, praise from confederates prisoners of the excellence of the Vermont 3rd and the hope for a victory near Richmond.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-16
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Headquarters Smith's Division, Camp on Custis estate topics include Veazey missing his wife and a description of the camp that includes the presence of 50,000 men and lots of music.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-[2?]
Resource type: correspondence
From headquarters 5th Vt Vols, Smith's Division topics include the sickness of the field officers of the 5th Vermont Regiment and the temporary promotion of Wheelock Veazey to head the regiment until the others return to health.
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