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)
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [8]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [8]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [7]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [7]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [6]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [3]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [2]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [2]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [2]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [2]
- Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903 [1]
- Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930 [1]
- Bruce, Horatio P., [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Morey [1]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [1]
- Carter, Frances E. [1]
- Fairbanks, Erastus [1]
- Farnham, Mary E. [1]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [1]
- Fullam, Volney S. [1]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- May, Albert A. [1]
- Merriam, John W., d. 1863 [1]
- Samson, Merrill F. [1]
- Turner, Orlando S., b. 1839 [1]
Recipient(s)
- , [8]
- Veazey, Julia A., [6]
- Barney, Maria [5]
- Henry, William Wirt, [4]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [2]
- Masta, Emeline B. [2]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [2]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [2]
- Veazey, Julia A. [2]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [1]
- Butler, B. F. [1]
- Farnham, Mary [1]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [1]
- Hayward, A. [1]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Turner, Louisa A. [1]
- Williams,Warren [1]
- Williams,Warren, Williams Caroline [1]
- [Barton,Melissa] [1]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [11]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [9]
- Military camps -- Virginia [8]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [5]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [3]
- Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862 [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- AbolitionistsUnited StatesHistory19th century [1]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [1]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [1]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [1]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [1]
- Military campsMaryland [1]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Flags [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Participation, Juvenile [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Prisoners and prisons [1]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [1]
Format(s)
- text [64]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [64]
Topic(s)
- Battle casualties [64]
- Armed Forces Officers [17]
- United StatesArmy Military life [12]
- Prisoners of war [11]
- Marching [9]
- Diseases [5]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [5]
- Families of military personnel [4]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [4]
- Drill and minor tactics [3]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [3]
- Horses [3]
- Military hospitals [3]
- Patriotism [3]
- Picketing [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [3]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [2]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [2]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [2]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [2]
- Grief [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [2]
- Military discipline [2]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [2]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [2]
- War Psychological aspects [2]
- Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 [1]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [1]
- Children and war [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Food [1]
- Freedmen [1]
- Guerrilla warfare [1]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [1]
- Hardtack [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Love-letters [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military pay [1]
- Newspapers [1]
- Photographers [1]
- Photographs [1]
- Postal service [1]
- Promotions, Military [1]
- Savage's Station, Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- Trench warfare [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- War casualties [1]
- Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25) [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("Battle casualties")
Title: Albert A. May to Friend
Creator: May, Albert A.
Date: 1861-10-08
Resource type: correspondence
Writes from Marcy Camp Advanced in Northeastern Virginia of injuries and death sustained in a "Skermisher" due to confusion among the men and friendly fire, mentions 4th and 5th regiments also camped in the area.
Title: Charles C. Canning to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Canning, Charles C., b. 1828
Date: 1862-07-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the movement of the regiment to Harrison's Landing, the extensive loss in the 5th Vermont Regiment (Battle of Savage's Station, June 29, 1862), the arrest of Captain Eaton, and a request for a few goods from home.
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1862-09-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment and the lack of newspaper coverage of the Regiment's positive attributes. The battles in Maryland would include Antietam Creek, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Fairbanks also mentions a rumor of Phelps's resignation, which had indeed occurred in August, 1862. Some thoughts about slavery, government, and the Constitution.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-05-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the arrival of the 7th and 8th Vermont Regiments at Ship Island, off the coast of Miss., and arrangements with the War Department for wounded troops to be sent home. Holbrook mentions the Battle of Yorktown (April 5-May 4, 1862), esp. the "affair" on April 16 that left ca. 100 Vermont soldiers wounded. Holbrook is in charge of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-05-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the hardships George W. Quimby is enduring, a brief account of fighting on the 6th of May (Battle of Williamsburg, Va.). Quimby describes "the horrid scenes of war": dead and dying soldiers in the aftermath of battle. Mentions generals Smith, Hancock, Sumner, Hooker, and Magruder.
Title: George W. Quimby to Emeline B. Masta
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-07-12
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an account of a battle starting on the 27th of June (Battle of Gaines' Mill/First Cold Harbor/Chickahominy). Quimby mentions some explosions that surprisingly caused less harm than expected. Difficulties include long marches, usually at night; surprise attacks; and water deprivation.
Title: George W. Quimby to Mother
Creator: Quimby, George W., 1835-1862
Date: 1862-09-21
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the improvement of George W. Quimby’s health and a description of the heaps of dead, unburied Rebels on the battlefields. These were casualties of the Battle of Antietam Creek (Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1862), considered one of the bloodiest days of the war.
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: 1862-04-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an encounter with the rebels that resulted in three rebel deaths and two rebel prisoners, getting pay.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-08-14
Resource type: correspondence
Six miles south of Culpeper (Virginia) two letters included dated Aug 15 and Aug 15. Topics include an exchange of fire near the Orange Court House, the numerous rebel deaths, injuries, and prisoners, and another terrible battle at Culpeper with references to Jackson, Banks and John Pope.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-05-27
Resource type: correspondence
From Williams Post, Maryland Smith writes 2 letters one dated May 27 and one May 28. (First Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862). Topics include a terrible battle in and near Winchester in which he escaped injury, of many men from the regiment being lost but many returning to camp the next day, rebels suffering great losses, mentions General Shields, General Fremont and General Banks, cautions given to his siblings at home regarding being in and near the water.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the defeat and retreat of the regiment to Williamsport (Battle of Harrisonburg?? June 6), telling of southern woman firing upon union soldiers, of the shooting death of a drummer boy by a southern woman, description of a rebel regiment's clothing recognized as the Louisiana Tigers, transporting the sick and wounded by wagon to hospitals, a summary of the men who were lost or wounded.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Williamsport to Snickers Ferry on the Shenandoah River, mentions by name men missing from the Company, mentions horses in battle, of his horse having had very little to eat, the rumor that General Pope is going to take control of the army, Gen. Fremont resigning, Gen. Banks to be Assistant Sec. of War, and the Quarter Master Old Jones & Lieutenant Grover's waiter being taken prisoners.
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: 1862-11-28
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 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: 1861-10-12
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include advancing on the Rebels to Prospect Hill, a battle at Hatteras Inlet where the Rebels lost many men, and two Rebels at Camp Advance that were taken prisoners. Reference to Gen. Scott, to Bull Run, to plenty of chestnuts available to eat. Also mentions the opinion that many believe the war will be short (six months)
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-02-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wilder getting his army picture taken, his plan to send it to his mother, and a victory at Roanoke Island, No. Carolina (Feb. 8), in which over 2,000 prisoners were taken.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-04-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the rebels being strongly fortified at Lee's Mill, the preparations for a hard battle (the month-long siege of Yorktown), and Merrill's sickness. Detailed description of some dead and wounded soldiers.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-04-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a request for Wilder's mother to send him stamps, Wilder's predictions that he may never return home, and a description of the battle at Yorktown. Poignant thoughts about friends and loved ones near and far away.
Title: Henry Harrison Wilder to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1862-04-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include two officers from the New York regiment joining the rebel army and a description of a rebel attack. Wilder is writing at the time of the Siege of Yorktown, Va.
![Thumbnail: Hiram H. Barton to [Melissa Barton]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwvhsBartonHiram02_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Hiram H. Barton to [Melissa Barton]
Creator: Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903
Date: 1862-09-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Harrisons Landing to Fort Monroe, a fight at Bulls Run (aka 2nd Manassas), and the deaths of Thomas Covil and Lyman Morhouse.
Title: Horatio P. Bruce to Smiley Bancroft
Creator: Bruce, Horatio P.,
Date: 1862-06-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the death of Charles Bancroft from typhoid fever, the sickness of other men in the company, and that the fall of Richmond will bring the war to an end. Like many other writers, he refers to McClellan's reluctance to deploy his massive army.
Title: Ira A. Marshall to William Wirt Henry
Creator: Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893
Date: 1862-05-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include recent battles in Yorktown and Williamsburg, which had significant casualties; the destruction of the C.S.S. Merrimack off the coast of Norfolk, Va., now under Union occupation. McClellan will likely send Vt. troops home once Richmond is taken. Ill soldier Tilton Sleeper mentioned again.
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.
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