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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Genre: ("correspondence")
Topic: ("United StatesArmy Military life")
Title: George W. Quimby to Sister
Creator: Quimby, George W.
Date: 1861-12-13
Resource type: correspondence
Writes to his sister Emeline about setting up camp for the winter in the woods that is proving to be a comfortable place, of being in good health, the leaving of Sargent Barney Robinson due to lameness.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith losing his horse, camp punishment of John H. Willard for disobeying an order, and the numerous men who were wounded and killed.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-12-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey to Washington and rations.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-01-10
Resource type: correspondence
From Annapolis, Maryland topics include the welcoming in New York City, pay soon and to be in Treasury notes, description and conditions at the camp in Annapolis, 21 horses of the regiment's that died in transport or in the mud since leaving Burlington and a list of items wanted and what type of box they are to be put in.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith receiving his payment, a request for some items from home, and the bad weather in Annapolis.
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 Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-10-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include encamping near Alexandria, an update on the health of Lant Blake and Gene, his unable to mail a gun home for his younger siblings, the large loss of the rebels at Orange Court House, a request for boots and gloves from home and a comment that army issue are not worth what the soldiers have to pay for them.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-10-11
Resource type: correspondence
From camp near Alexandria, Va topics include the bad weather, the continuous firing of shots from the Washington Navy Yard, enjoys watching the new recruits, the prediction that Lant Blake will not live, still requesting boots and apples.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-11-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the arrival of the package from home that had includes apples and chicken but those were eaten by Jarvis Wentworth, pictures of relatives received, admiration of his new boots, Henry Smith's friend Fenney hoping to become his brother-in-law, and the death of a boy names Henry Holt of Hartland, gives advice on how to best care for a horse.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Friends
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-11-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the snow in Burlington and the difficulties caused by the weather.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Mother
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-12-05
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters one dated Dec 5th and one 6th. Topics include the snowy weather, Henry Smith's good health, and the difficult times the men who were drafted will face.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1861-10-22
Resource type: correspondence
Henry writes of having his military pay make interest, of a fight that had taken place and General Johnston was taken prisoner, of his health being better, of a soldier's discharge due to fever sore on his leg, of a woman named Marion and of a lot of letter writing being done by the soldiers.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1861-?-29
Resource type: correspondence
Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Va. of being in good health, of having gained ten pounds, of sleeping well, of having a comfortable bed and coverings, of the burial service of two men held by the Chaplain and of Fenton ill with the measles.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-01-17
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a request for Wilder's mother to send him papers, envelopes, butter, cheese, sausage, and any other essential items.
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: 1862-06-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include clarifying things that were written home about Merrill, what Wilder will do once he leaves the army alive, and a man named Damon Hunter returning home after having his leg amputated. One Civil War chronology notes on this date "little or no action on the main front in Virginia along the Chickahominy."
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1861-12-17
Resource type: correspondence
Henry requests food items of sausages, a chicken pie, and cheese, writes that Merrill wants his mother to stuff 5 chickens, bake them and freeze them and send them in a box, of he and Merrill going to be tent mates.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-02-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiment remaining at Camp Griffin and Wilder asking his mother's opinion on him and Merrion entering the regular scouts for five years.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-03-?
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the preparations to march and then the order was countermanded. Mentions "the box" of supplies from home.
Title: Henry L. Terry to John W. Campbell
Creator: Terry, Henry L., 1820-1885
Date: 1861-10-21
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include encamping at Lee's Mill, twelve miles from Washington, close to the Rebels.
Title: Hiram H. Barton to Melissa Barton
Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903
Date: 1861-12-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the number of men in the Regiment, the clothes they received for the first six months, and a description of the barracks.
Title: Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893
Date: 1862-06-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include camping at Harrison's Landing, Virginia on the James River, makes reference to regiments and companies losing men, the names of men wounded and their injuries in Company D, makes reference to a battle (maybe Battle of Seven Pines [Fair Oaks]??), several officers resigning, the high cost of food, and the slight sickness of Ira Marshall.
Title: John Lester Barstow to ?
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the comfortable lodgings of the regiment in New Orleans, the cost of food items, and the state of New Orleans when the Vermont Regiment arrived.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-12-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include General Banks superseding General Butler, the capture of one of the rebel officers, and the dishonorable discharge of Lieutenant Day.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an overview of the daily schedule in camp, firing on Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philips by General Butler, General Phelps, and about 10,000 men that lasted for three days, and orders for the rest of the regiment to head for New Orleans.
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