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 [20]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [18]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [12]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [10]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [10]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [9]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [8]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [6]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [2]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [2]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [2]
- [1]
- Barton, Lyman [1]
- Carter, Frances E. [1]
- Davis, George F., 1815-1901 [1]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [1]
- Leffnis, N. S. [1]
- Mason, E. P. [1]
- Murray, B. [1]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [1]
- Samson, Merrill F. [1]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [1]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [16]
- Veazey, Julia A., [12]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [10]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [9]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [8]
- Rutherford, Hannah [8]
- Veazey, Julia A. [8]
- , [3]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [3]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [2]
- Bancroft,Clarissa E., 1843-1864 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874; Bancroft [1]
- Barton,Melissa [1]
- Blunt, Asa P. [1]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876 [1]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876; Gale [1]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [1]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [1]
- Hayward, A. [1]
- Hayward, Amanda [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Masta, Emeline B. [1]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [1]
- Towle, Sebra [1]
- White, Homer [1]
- Williams,Lois L. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [19]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [11]
- Military campsVirginia [10]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [7]
- Military camps -- Maryland [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [4]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [3]
- Military camps -- Vermont [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women [3]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Women [2]
- Abolitionists -- United States -- History -- 19th century [1]
- Chicago (Ill.) [1]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [1]
- Military campsLouisiana [1]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Poetry [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Social aspects [1]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [1]
- Winchester (Va.) [1]
Format(s)
- text [112]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [112]
Topic(s)
- Families of military personnel [112]
- United StatesArmy Military life [26]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [19]
- Love-letters [17]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [17]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [7]
- Food [6]
- Postal service [6]
- Religion [6]
- Grief [5]
- Morale [5]
- Picketing [5]
- Promotions, Military [5]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [5]
- War casualties [5]
- Battle casualties [4]
- Carver General Hospital (Washington, D.C.) [4]
- Homesickness [4]
- Military leaves and furloughs [4]
- Drill and minor tactics [3]
- Military discharge [3]
- Military hospitals [3]
- Sutlers [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [3]
- Women in war [3]
- African Americans [2]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [2]
- Desertion, Military [2]
- Guerrilla warfare [2]
- Horses [2]
- Photographers [2]
- Racism [2]
- Slaves [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [2]
- African American soldiers [1]
- Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 [1]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [1]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Hardtack [1]
- Marching [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discipline [1]
- Military pay [1]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [1]
- Photographs [1]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Richmond (Va.) [1]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- Skirmishing [1]
- Slavery [1]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
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Topic: ("Families of military personnel")
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-11-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include orders for Veazey and Proctor to be ready to move to Harpers Ferry (W. Va.), the desire to go to Texas with General Banks, and the excitement of Veazey’s wife’s pregnancy.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-11-22
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Vermont, Virginia topics include the possibility of the rebels attacking the camp and thus may not go to Harpers Ferry, predictions on the sex of the baby, and the death of General Stoughton’s loved one.
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: 1862-12-28
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: 1862-01-03
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: 1862-08-24
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.
Title: William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904
Date: 1862-07-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include returning to Baton Rouge and the comforts that came with this move, expresses his decided opinion on the ramifications of releasing “unlettered Negroes” (i.e. slaves), feels the blacks are well enough cared for in general, speaks against blacks as a possible fighting force, the treatment of the slaves who enter Union lines by the Union soldiers, feels politicians need to experience first hand the habits of black slaves of the south and not hold such lofty ideals, the attempted “cut off” of the Mississippi River by the Union, and the death of W. C. Holbrook’s grandfather.
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 John Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-09-11
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Camp Chase, Va. topics include the death of Henry's sister Katie and the journey to Camp from Brattleboro, aboard the train to New Haven, on the steamer Continental to New York, on to Philadelphia and then to Baltimore and finally Washington, D.C. and on to his camp just beyond Fairfax, Va.under the command of Brig. Gen. Briggs of MA
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: 1862-08-15
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: [B. Murray?] to Aunt](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmwilder34_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [B. Murray?] to Aunt
Creator: Murray, B.
Date: 1862-08-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the army photographs of Wilder being sent to his family.
![Thumbnail: [Frances] E. Carter to Grammama](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmwilder32_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Frances] E. Carter to Grammama
Creator: Carter, Frances E.
Date: 1862-07-31
Resource type: correspondence
Wilder's niece writes a letter of condolence to her grandmother for his death.
![Thumbnail: [Frankie?] to Mother](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmwilder31_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Frankie?] to Mother
Date: ?-?-?
Resource type: correspondence
A poem, "Death of H. H. Wilder," written by Frankie, presumably Wilder's nephew.
![Thumbnail: [Roswell Farnham] to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham96_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Roswell Farnham] to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-28
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from within his new house in Camp Vermont, near Alexandria Va., of three regiments moving to Fairfax Station, a description of the men’s quarters and mentions Mary's dental issues.
![Thumbnail: [Roswell Farnham] to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham97_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Roswell Farnham] to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-11-30
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from Camp Vermont, Alexandria, Va. 12th Vt. Regiment Volunteers Militia and writes of his wife Mary's visit camp, of meeting with Mr. Morrill and Senator Foote, of his house being finished with 2 bedrooms and a fireplace.
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