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: 1862-11-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the good health of Wheelock Veazey, his wish that his wife would conduct herself in a more befitting manner toward certain gentlemen friends, a brief reference to other wives' less than desired behavior, a mention of the baby coming, and his regiment is out on picket.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-12-04
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Vermont, Virginia topics include needing to report to the Secretary of War in regards to a discharge and arrangements for Wheelock Veazey’s wife to visit him.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-12-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include plans for Veazey’s wife to visit him at Camp Vermont, the love he has for his wife, his concern for her safety traveling, recommending she travel with Mr. and Mrs. Adams, a brief reference to divine providence blessing his family.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-12-14
Resource type: correspondence
From Head Quarters 16th Vt Volunteers, at a camp between Centreville and Bull Run, Virginia topics include the march to Fairfax Court House, the 24 sick men that were left behind at Camp Vermont, and the current living situation.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-12-21
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Julia Veazey returning home after a visit with Veazey in Washington, the death of Herman Veazey, and a fruit cake the mother of Private Kingston of Proctorsville, Vt sent.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-12-28
Resource type: correspondence
From camp near Fairfax Court House topics include the regiment having to battle the measles, a little battle that broke out near Fairfax Court House, brief reference to Julia being concerned she is so big due to her pregnancy and a brief description of Christmas in camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-06-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock Veazey’s position as Judge Advocate of a General Court Martial, the inspiration of General McClellan, and a love letter to his wife.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-07-05
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Harrison's Landing, Virginia topics include an attack by Andrew Jackson and the subsequent fighting, Veazey's taking command of the 77th New York Regiment, and the great losses of both armies, brief references to Gen. John Pope and Secretary of War Edwin M.Stanton.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-05
Resource type: correspondence
Wheelock Veazey writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia about missing his wife and sending her his love.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-11-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the disappointment about the week passing without an attack and on a personal note Wheelock G. Veazey’s feelings of jealousy concerning his wife.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-11-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a package that arrived from home, a new General who served in Florida through the Mexican War, and Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a brief description of the Thanksgiving celebrations and a description of a trip to Washington.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-12-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey telling his wife Julia A. Veazey how much he loves and misses her.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-12-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey’s dismay that some people from home believe the pay soldiers receive should be decreased.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey taking the role of Field Officer of the Day, an exchange of fire, and the appointment as Court Marshall.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-[23]
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain Atherton recruiting for the 4th Vermont Regiment and General Phelps making a “fool” out of himself.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-12-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the moving of tents into the woods around Christmas and the prediction that England will not become involved in the war.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1861-12-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey’s fever and headache.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: [1861]-12-?
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock G. Veazey inquiring after his wife’s devotion to him.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-03
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Camp Griffin topics include Veazey's ill health, that of his wife's and news from home.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include military matters (court martial, foraging, picket duty) and disgust with the Congress, administration, government and fears the nation's downfall.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-12
Resource type: correspondence
A brief letter writes of picket duty, the weather, and maybe taking a leave of absence.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-08-24
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Hygeia Hospital at Fort Munroe topics include the ill health of Veazey (bilious condition) and that of his father-in-law.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-21
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey expresses his deep passion and love for his wife, Julia, writes about his picket duty last night in deep mud, possible movement of the Regiment, and officers’ wives.
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