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)
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [12]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [11]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [11]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [8]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [8]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [4]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [4]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [3]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [3]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [3]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [2]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [2]
- Quimby, George W. [2]
- Stone, John M., 1835-1915 [2]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [2]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [2]
- Bruce, Horatio P., [1]
- Fullam, Volney S. [1]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [1]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [1]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
Recipient(s)
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [13]
- Rutherford, Hannah [10]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [9]
- Farnham, Mary [4]
- , [3]
- Henry, William Wirt [3]
- Towle, Sebra [3]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [2]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [2]
- Holbrook, Frederick [2]
- Towle, Rufus [2]
- Veazey, Julia A., [2]
- Bancroft,Clarissa E., 1843-1864 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874; Bancroft [1]
- Barney, Maria [1]
- Butler, B. F. [1]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [1]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Henry, Mary Jane [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Masta, Emeline B. [1]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [1]
- White, Homer [1]
- Williams, Caroline [1]
- Williams,Lois L. [1]
- Williams,Warren [1]
- [Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876] [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [21]
- Military camps -- Virginia [15]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [10]
- Military camps -- Maryland [6]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [4]
- Chicago (Ill.) [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [3]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- Military camps -- Vermont [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [2]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [1]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Social aspects [1]
- Winchester (Va.) [1]
Format(s)
- text [85]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [85]
Topic(s)
- Diseases [85]
- United StatesArmy Military life [35]
- Armed Forces Officers [15]
- War casualties [15]
- Families of military personnel [11]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [7]
- Food [6]
- Medicine, Military [6]
- Military hospitals [6]
- Battle casualties [5]
- Military leaves and furloughs [5]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [5]
- Drill and minor tactics [4]
- Picketing [4]
- Postal service [4]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [3]
- African Americans [2]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [2]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [2]
- Military chaplains [2]
- Military pay [2]
- Pillage [2]
- Promotions, Military [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- Skirmishing [2]
- Slaves [2]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [2]
- Sutlers [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [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, 6th (1861-1864) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [2]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [2]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [2]
- African American soldiers [1]
- Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant)1818-1893 [1]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [1]
- Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862 [1]
- Fugitive slaves [1]
- Grief [1]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [1]
- Love-letters [1]
- Marching [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military discipline [1]
- Newspapers [1]
- Patriotism [1]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [1]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Religion [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [1]
- Women in war [1]
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Browsing by:
Topic: ("Diseases")
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham08_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-13
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham is writing from the SS Alabama after arriving safely off the coast of Virginia, at Fort Monroe. Some men are sea-sick, and another has measles. Company was greeted with three cheers by sailors passing by. Farnham called on again to be adjutant because of his demonstrated leadership skills. A few words about friends and acquaintances seen in New York, one being a secessionist.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham22_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the duties of Provost Marshall, including the reception of runaway slaves. Mentions alerts for battle and false alarms; and illness within the regiment.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham90_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-09
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from nearby Hunting Creek, Virginia at the headquarters of the 12th Vermont Volunteers about the cold weather in the South, eleven sick in the hospital, two of which had shot themselves. Reference made to Gen. McClellan being superseded by Gen. Burnside.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: [1861]-06-09
Resource type: correspondence
Barney writes of camp equipment inspection, Sunday services held by Chaplain Stone, of being one of the singers during the service singing "Sweet Home", of receiving letters from home, of there being 4000 men, two men with the measles, of the arrival of the New York 4th Regiment and Hawkins Zouaves, of camp duties.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the progress made on the fort, the cutting down of many trees within a mile of the fort, of orchards and shade trees also cut down nearby buildings to the great dismay of local residents, an outbreak of dysentery, and the hope to be able to send some military pay home soon.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the arrival of a package from home that included much needed boots, hospital care by Southern women to southern soldiers far better than to the Union men hospitalized, the men of Virginia who are afraid to support the Union cause openly for fear it will fail, drunkenness among the soldiers, reference to Lamondy (or La'Mondy) death, the deaths in the regiment since leaving Clouds Mills, receives newspapers.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the capturing of some Rebels at Newtown who stated Rebels do not go hungry as long a Union troops are around from which to steal food, issues with the postal mail service, the difficulty of getting rest in camp, and the sickness of the regiment.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: [1862]-10-30
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the improvement of Barney’s health, the care he is receiving, and a description of the bilious fever with which he was afflicted (i.e. jaundice).
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-11-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health from jaundice though his appetite is low and his skin itches, of foods he regularly eats, the sickness of Sergeant Whitmore with typhoid fever, and the deaths in the regiment including Chas Crook.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-11-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health, his taking of jaundice bitters as treatment, his paying Mrs. Snow $10 for his and his attendant's room and board in her home and of sending his attendant back to camp.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-11-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the continued improvement of Barney’s health from jaundice though his legs tire quickly, the need for money from home, thoughts of a furlough and the sickness and deaths in the regiment.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-12-07
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Douglas topics include good food for his dinner, the high standard of living while visiting Danby and Syracuse, living conditions at the camp, having coal stoves, rats and lice plentiful, the death of one of his men Alfred Burrows from diphtheria, paying Mrs. Snow owed, giving comment on theater ("love sick stuff"), having no word of a prisoner exchange and the hope to be able to send $500 home soon.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the death of two men from the Burlington company, news of the Battle at Culpepper, Capt BeBee of Burlington ill and sent home, and the death of Captain Brooks by the Rebels, confiscating doors from a building inside one of Johnson's abandoned forts to be used a a floor in Barney's tent and a drawing of Barney's encampment.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: 1862-08-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include moving to a camp near the east corner of the fort, a description of the fort including how many guns and what types of guns, and the appointment of Eaton as the major of the 10th regiment.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889
Date: [1862]-10-12
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include receiving $10 from his father, the food supplies at camp, the health of the regiment which includes many men with jaundice, morale of the men, mentions telling his wife army life would be better than he knew it would be in order for her to feel better about letting him be in the military, reporting 2 of his men as deserters to Head Quarters, the false reports written in the papers and mentions prisoner of war camp Camp Douglas.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908
Date: 1862-10-23
Resource type: correspondence
A letter to Maria Barney telling her of Valentine Barney's illness (Bilious Fever) written by 1st Sgt. Whitmore. He writes of the probability the regiment will not be paid soon thus Barney asking for $25 be sent, that Barney is receiving the best medical care by a widow (Mrs. Snow) in a private home and a Corporal has been assigned to stay with him.
Title: Valentine G. Barney to Maria Barney
Creator: Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908
Date: 1862-10-25
Resource type: correspondence
Brief letter from 1st Sgt. Whitmore to Barney's wife on the improvement of Barney’s health with Bilious fever (a name used that may refer to a number of illnesses that include jaundice) and the excellent care he is receiving from widow, Mrs. Snow in her private home.
Title: Volney S. Fullam to B. F. Butler
Creator: Fullam, Volney S.
Date: 1862-08-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include vacancies in the regiment caused by the death and sickness of some officers, the resignation and guilt of misconduct by Lt. G. W. Sheldon, and the intention to send a list of promotions.
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: 1862-08-24
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: 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: 1862-12-09
Resource type: correspondence
To his father topics include the sickness of the regiment (mentions miasma, vapors from swamp believed to cause disease), mentions scorbutic appearance of the sick (relating to scurvy), a description of Pensacola Harbor, and very high praise for the Chaplain for all he has done for the men.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1861-10-08
Resource type: correspondence
October 8, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia. Writes of kindness from Col Stannard, wet weather, grand review of artillery by Genl. McClellan, illness among the men including homesickness and Typhoid Fever, family business.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-02-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain Johnson taking command of Company D, the illness of a few men, the possibility of Ned Wells returning home, Henry's side business not doing as well now as the men are out of money to spend, mud prevents drills so men study tactics and go on picket only once every five days.
![Thumbnail: [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmwilder07_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Henry Harrison Wilder] to Mother
Creator: Wilder, Henry Harrison
Date: 1861-11-08
Resource type: correspondence
Henry writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia of the difficulty of camp life, of Fenton being very ill and taken to Georgetown to the General Hospital.
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