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 [29]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [2]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [1]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [1]
Recipient(s)
- Veazey, Julia A. [15]
- Veazey, Julia A., [14]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [1]
- Farnham, Mary [1]
- Henry, John, [1]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [12]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Women [2]
- Chicago (Ill.) [1]
- Military camps -- Vermont [1]
- Roanoke Island (N.C.)HistoryCapture, 1862 [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Social aspects [1]
Format(s)
- text [33]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [33]
Topic(s)
- Love-letters [33]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [26]
- Families of military personnel [17]
- Armed Forces Officers [6]
- Picketing [3]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [1]
- Contraband of war [1]
- Diseases [1]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [1]
- Food [1]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Morale [1]
- Promotions, Military [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [1]
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Topic: ("Love-letters")
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-23
Resource type: correspondence
An apologetic Wheelock Veazey explains how much he trusts his wife and asks her forgiveness for doubting her, hints at future children in their lives.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-03-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include love of his wife, memories of time spent with her and mention of a contraband bringing important information to camp.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a brief love letter, continuous firing from the rebels, men being pressed into service for the Confederate army (reference to the Irish), reference to the Merrimack, Rebel rifle pits, and the number of men who were killed or injured in the skirmishes.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-04-22
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes to Julia of how much he loves and misses her and addressing lies told about General Smith, McClellan's favorable opinion of Gen. Smith along with that of other officers.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-16
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Headquarters Smith's Division, Camp on Custis estate topics include Veazey missing his wife and a description of the camp that includes the presence of 50,000 men and lots of music.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-05-[2?]
Resource type: correspondence
From headquarters 5th Vt Vols, Smith's Division topics include the sickness of the field officers of the 5th Vermont Regiment and the temporary promotion of Wheelock Veazey to head the regiment until the others return to health.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-02
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes of his recent time spent with Julia, his wife, how the muddy conditions at camp would be enough to discourage men from enlisting, troubles with his "nig" servant that Veazey "sent him adrift", and his love for Julia.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-08-03
Resource type: correspondence
Wheelock Veazey writes to Julia visiting in Boston, writes of his hove for her and of missing her, the desire for a new regiment and suspecting nepotism by the Governor, the return of Captain Atherton who still suffers from his wound, and a fight with the rebels.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock Veazey loving and missing his wife, of reading the book Gypsy’s Prophecy, of sending a receipt for money home to Julia.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-07
Resource type: correspondence
Veazey writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia to Julia about his love and devotion to her, his anxiety about her behavior and whether Mrs.A. (i.e. Mrs. Atherton) is having an influence on her behavior.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-11-06
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the frequent moving of the troops, his recent move to Camp Vermont in Virginia, the good health of many of the men in the regiment, and love for Wheelock Veazey’s wife.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-11-08
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Vermont, Virginia topics include Wheelock Veazey loving and missing his wife, the orders to prepare huts for winter quarters, a snow storm and he laments about how the war is going.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-11-10
Resource type: correspondence
From Camp Vermont, topics include orders to prepare huts for winter quarters, Wheelock Veazey loving and missing his wife, of a visit to Col Stevens and Col. Bowers, and an indirect reference to his wife's pregnancy.
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: 1862-11-26
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: 1862-12-09
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: 1862-06-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Wheelock Veazey’s position as Judge Advocate of a General Court Martial, the inspiration of General McClellan, and a love letter to his wife.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-02-05
Resource type: correspondence
Wheelock Veazey writes from Camp Griffin, Virginia about missing his wife and sending her his love.
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: 1862-01-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include military matters (court martial, foraging, picket duty) and disgust with the Congress, administration, government and fears the nation's downfall.
Title: Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
Creator: Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898
Date: 1862-01-12
Resource type: correspondence
A brief letter writes of picket duty, the weather, and maybe taking a leave of absence.
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 Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-02-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include William Henry missing his wife, having gained weight and health is good, of being glad he did not become the Captain of Company D, reference to a bill to disband the Bands, mentions his side business of selling to the men being pretty slim as he has "got them most all cured up", reference to the fall of Roanoke Island, North Carolina (February 7& 8, 1862) under the leadership of Ambrose Burnside, has sent money home,
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-02-16
Resource type: correspondence
Still at Camp Griffin, Va. topics include a love letter to William Henry's wife, the expected discharge of Ned Wells, of himself heading for home even if Wells is not discharged.
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