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)
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [27]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [17]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [12]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [11]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [10]
- Holbrook, Frederick [8]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [6]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [5]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [5]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [5]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [4]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [3]
- Holbrook, W. C. [3]
- Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896 [3]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [2]
- Fullam, Volney S. [2]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [2]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [2]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [1]
- Baxter, Horace Henry [1]
- Beard, Albin [1]
- Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930 [1]
- Browne, A. G. [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan [1]
- Cannon, Le Grand B. [1]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [1]
- Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910 [1]
- Halsey, Thomas H. [1]
- Hunt, Leavitt [1]
- Jackman, A. [1]
- Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916 [1]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [1]
- Morrill, Justin S. [1]
- Murphy, Edward [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
- Turner, Orlando S., b. 1839 [1]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Phelps, John Wolcott [20]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [19]
- Veazey, Julia A., [14]
- Veazey, Julia A. [12]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [11]
- Holbrook, Frederick [11]
- Henry, William Wirt, [7]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [5]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [5]
- , [4]
- Farnham, Mary [4]
- Masta, Emeline B. [3]
- Rutherford, Hannah [3]
- Bancroft,Mary, 1809-1878 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [1]
- Beard, Albin [1]
- Butler, B. F. [1]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [1]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [1]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [1]
- Harding, C. H. [1]
- Henry, William Wirt [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Holbrook, F. F. [1]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [1]
- Towle, Sebra [1]
- Turner, Louisa A. [1]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [1]
- Williams,Warren, Williams Caroline [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [23]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [18]
- Military camps -- Virginia [13]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [13]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [7]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [7]
- Chicago (Ill.) [6]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [5]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [4]
- Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862 [3]
- Military camps -- Vermont [3]
- Military campsVermont [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [3]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [3]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [2]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- Military camps -- Mississippi [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [2]
- Fort Pike (La.) [1]
- Military camps -- Maryland [1]
- Military campsLouisiana [1]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [1]
- SecessionSouthern States [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865African Americans [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Flags [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Prisoners and prisons [1]
- Winchester (Va.) [1]
Format(s)
- text [148]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [148]
Topic(s)
- Armed Forces Officers [148]
- United StatesArmy Military life [28]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [27]
- Morale [20]
- Battle casualties [17]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [10]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [9]
- Drill and minor tactics [8]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [8]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [7]
- Food [7]
- Picketing [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865) [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [7]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [6]
- Love-letters [6]
- Marching [6]
- Military pay [6]
- Military discipline [5]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [5]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [4]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [4]
- Horses [4]
- Photographs [4]
- Postal service [4]
- Recruiting and enlistment [4]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [4]
- African Americans [3]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [3]
- Homesickness [3]
- Intrenchments [3]
- Military hospitals [3]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [3]
- Skirmishing [3]
- Sutlers [3]
- African American soldiers [2]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [2]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Newspapers [2]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [2]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [2]
- Savage's Station, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [2]
- Women in war [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [1]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Bounties, Military [1]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Capitulations, Military [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Freedmen [1]
- Fugitive slaves [1]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Pillage [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- Steamboats [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [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 casualties [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("Armed Forces Officers")
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1861-10-28
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father in Montpelier, Vt topics include Holbrook's desire to be appointed aide to General Phelps staff rather than Gen. Brooks', mentions names of several officers, his suggestion to appoint only West Point men to the position of Colonel, his opinion about Frank making a good Major, praise for McClellan and celebrating Thanksgiving on the wrong day.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-04-06
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father (Gov. Holbrook) topics include arriving at Ship Harbor Island by Ship Brenner, a description of the islands that included coconut trees, meeting with Gen. Butler and Gen. Phelps, and the location of David Dixon Porter’s fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-05-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the Union gaining control of New Orleans, General Shepley becoming Military Commandant of the city, and the news that the Vermont Brigade has been gaining control on the Potomac. Evaluations of Generals Butler and Shepley. Also mentions the "contrabands" or slaves coming within Union lines. (Butler would later start recruiting African Americans to be Union soldiers.)
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-07-01
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father, Gov. Holbrook, from the steamer, Morning Sight near Vicksburg topics include asking if he can have a battery to command, mentions Fort Pike, the desire to join the artillery service, the hope to be given captaincy, and the slow bombardments by the rebels but there was an attack by 3000 Confederates thinking to board the Union mortar boats only to be beaten back when fired upon.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-07-07
Resource type: correspondence
Written on illustrated letter head stationery from near Vicksburg William writes to his father, Gov. Holbrook and topics include Colonel Roberts coming to New Orleans, the rebels erecting their batteries in Grand Gulf and firing upon the Union boats coming up the river, and the possibility that the regiment will be ordered to Baton Rouge.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a description of the battle at Baton Rouge on August 5th, expresses his thoughts that the Rebels received misinformation about the strength of the Union forces thus suffering great losses, blowing up of a Rebel boat that was part of a CSA plan to attack Union gunboats, mentions "ram On Ransom", the death of Colonel George T. Roberts and General Williams.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-08-17
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include William's recommendation for and praise of Ad. Brown being promoted to Major, mentions Brown's performance in the inconclusive battle at Savage's Station (June 29, 1862 in Va.), a bitter feeling against Colonel Faillam by the men of the regiment, and the belief a West Pointer should head the regiment.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
To Gov. Holbrook with topics including the resignation of 1st Lieutenant Howard of Company G; the recommendations for the position, effects of illness at Vicksburg creating vacancies; the difficulty of finding replacements because of the “infamous Order”, still seeks info about the establishment of a court of inquiry; his expression of anger and disgust at how the Dept. is being run and writes of the proposition that he (William) tender his resignation.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-07-23
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father, Gov. Holbrook, topics include the need for medical aid because of the numerous men who are sick due to lack of sanitation, unhealthy environment (mentions miasma, vapor from swamp believed to cause disease) and lack of medicine because of some blunder, speaks of doctors doing what they can with what little they have to do with and praise for Dr. Blanchard; the rebel batteries firing upon a boat, and Adj. Parker going home on sick leave.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-08-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the resignation of Colonel Fullam, the promotion of Holbrook to Colonel, and the recommendation that Captain Peck be promoted to Lt. Col.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Mother
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1861-10-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the movement of the regiment from Camp Advance to Camp Griffin, an alarm caused by the Dutchmen mistaking a calf for the rebels, Union officers receive praise from Holbrook (McClellan) as does the unit he is in from officers Col Stoughton and Gen Smith and a description of the living situation at camp that include good food, sleeping on the ground and sending money back home.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Mother
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-08-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the number of men that were killed and wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge August 5th, lost of his "boy Jack" [does he refer to a Black man in his service or to a child?], the loss of Col. Roberts, the unpopularity of the current officer Col. Faillam, the men's request that Holbrook replace Faillam, Holbrook’s desire to go into a regiment located in Virginia, Gen. Phelps and his opinions on the slave question, Gen. Butler's compliments to the regiment for its brave conduct in the Baton Rouge battle, sending home of the Secessionist's flag retrieved from Fort Pike, desire for newspapers from Vt.
Title: William Wirt Henry to John Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-09-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the continued sickness of Katie, being mustered into the United States Service, and the commission as Major of the 10th Regiment.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-01-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include William Henry's arrival at Camp Griffin, Virginia ; the men petitioning for Lt. Henry to be their captain ; mentions not yet receiving Elixir yet but has high hopes of sell a lot of it.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-08-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the poor health of William Henry's sister Katie and the appointment of Acting Major.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-08-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include being put in charge of the 10th Regiment for a few days, William Henry's wish to go home to see his family, the duties of being a Major, feeling very proud of his military promotion, Dress Parade well attended by some 400 to 500 people including Mr. Cummings who was Speaker of the House.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-01-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain Dillingham returning to Brattleboro, the recommendation of Lieutenant Johnson for Captain, deep mud all over camp restricting movement, expecting the Elixir soon and hopes to sell it, the number of deaths in the regiment, and a description of Ed Wells.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-08-15
Resource type: correspondence
A very brief letter from Camp Washburn topics include inquiries after the well being of his baby boy and the anticipated promotion to Major.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-08-18
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Camp Bradley (later Camp Holbrook) in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include anxious to see his baby boy, continued anticipation of appointment to Major and as acting Adjutant for 11th Regt.until Mr. Curtis of Burlington arrives.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-09-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include reflecting on Katie's death and William Henry being in command of five companies and five miles of the Potomac River.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the good health of the regiment, him having a good bay horse as he needs to ride 15 miles to visit all the pickets and the need for friends and family in a time of loss.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-09-28
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from his camp in the field topics include a brief account of William Henry's day that includes living quarters with Company B, morning hygiene, breakfast, riding his horse to visit a company and give a lecture picket duty, visiting another officer to discuss matters, a good dinner and ride back to his headquarters. Also inquiries about his family.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-08-13
Resource type: correspondence
A brief letter writing from camp in Brattleboro, Vt. topics include the birth of Henry's baby boy and a possible promotion to Major.
![Thumbnail: [C. W.] Seaton to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps19_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [C. W.] Seaton to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Seaton, C. W.
Date: 1861-11-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the nomination of Governor Holbrook for the Lieut-Colonelcy of the 1st Regiment Berdan's Sharp Shooters and John Wolcott Phelps' opinion of nominating Captain Ripley of Rutland for the position instead.
![Thumbnail: [Frederick Holbrook] to [F. F. Holbrook]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps33_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Frederick Holbrook] to [F. F. Holbrook]
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-10-7
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a summary of Frederick Holbrook's requests for General Phelps to go to Washington to discuss the 7th Vermont Regiment. Reference to Senator Foote is probably Solomon Foot, senator from Vermont (1851-1866).
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