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)
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [33]
- Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913 [6]
- Holbrook, Frederick [6]
- Barton, Lyman [1]
- Williams, Francis C. [1]
Recipient(s)
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [8]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [7]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [6]
- , [4]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [4]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876 [3]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee, 1801-1869 [2]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [2]
- Barton,Melissa [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Louisiana [12]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [10]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [8]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [8]
- Military camps -- Vermont [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [4]
- Fort Jackson (La.) [3]
- Fort Saint Philip (La.) [2]
- Military campsLouisiana [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [2]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865African Americans [1]
Format(s)
- text [47]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [47]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [47]
- United StatesArmy Military life [18]
- Food [14]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [10]
- Armed Forces Officers [8]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [5]
- Military pay [4]
- Religion [4]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [4]
- African Americans [3]
- Pillage [3]
- Skirmishing [3]
- Slaves [3]
- African American soldiers [2]
- Battle casualties [2]
- Contraband of war [2]
- Drill and minor tactics [2]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [2]
- Prisoners of war [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- Sutlers [2]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 [1]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant)1818-1893 [1]
- Executions and executioners [1]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [1]
- Horses [1]
- Marching [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Photographers [1]
- Picketing [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
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Topic: ("United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865)")
Title: Francis C. Williams to Frederick Holbrook
Creator: Williams, Francis C.
Date: 1862-04-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the regiment being situated at Camp on Ship Island, the establishment of (religious?) services on Tuesdays, and the intellectual capacity of the men of the Vermont regiments.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Mrs. Holbrook requesting General Phelps to forward her letters to her son and Frederick Holbrook inquiring after the sick men and the number of surgeons. Holbrook expresses frustration that the Vt. Regiments (7th & 8th) are still not under Phelps's command, per an agreement with Gen. Butler. Holbrook also mentions Phelps's "Dark Brigade," black troops that Phelps recruited in Louisiana without permission from the War Dept. (Phelps resigned in Aug., 1862.)
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-10
Resource type: correspondence
Upbeat letter delivered to Gen. Phelps by the writer's son, William C. Holbrook, who apparently turned down an offer to join Phelps's staff. The writer, Gov. Holbrook, lavishes praise on Vermont officers and soldiers (including his son), and sends warm wishes for success to Phelps, sharing his conviction that "the Union Cause must triumph." Holbrook concludes with some reflections on the difficulty of being a wartime governor.
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: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-07-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the President calling for 300,000 additional troops, the wish that the National Government will develop a decisive policy to "proclaim war to the knife," and a description of Frederick Holbrook's son Major Will. Holbrook continues to express his admiration for Phelps and offer him greater forces to command.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-06
Resource type: correspondence
In his letter to General Phelps, Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont (1861-1863), expresses his admiration for several Union officers from Vermont and his pride in the 8th Vt. Regiment. He informs the general that two infantry regiments and two artillery companies are ready to serve. (This is about one month before the Union attack on New Orleans, launched in part from Ship Island, just off the coast of Mississippi.) Holbrook explains that they would have been sent a month earlier "had Government been ready with funds." He looks forward to seeing Phelps again after the war.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-11-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' commanding Butler's New England Division and inviting Frederick Holbrook's son William to be his Aid-de-Camp. Mention of 7th Vermont Regiment (the old 1st reorganized) also being attached to Butler, of Lt. Roberts being given Colonelcy of the 7th, of Major Kimball of the New Jersey 9th for Lt. Col. of the 8th Regiment, reference to Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Title: John Lester Barstow to ?
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-18
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the comfortable lodgings of the regiment in New Orleans, the cost of food items, and the state of New Orleans when the Vermont Regiment arrived.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Father
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-12-28
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the fleeing of Rebels to Texas, the destruction and loss of property near New Orleans, and Barstow’s belief that the war must not end until the Union is restored.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-11-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the idleness of the Regiment since its arrival on the banks of the Bayon and the help the Negroes are receiving from the government.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-12-14
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include General Banks superseding General Butler, the capture of one of the rebel officers, and the dishonorable discharge of Lieutenant Day.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an overview of the daily schedule in camp, firing on Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philips by General Butler, General Phelps, and about 10,000 men that lasted for three days, and orders for the rest of the regiment to head for New Orleans.
Title: John Lester Barstow to Laura
Creator: Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913
Date: 1862-05-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include being aboard the ship “Jamis Hovey” on the Mississippi River on the way to New Orleans, the difficulty of the journey from Ship Island to New Orleans, and the initial observations upon the arrival in New Orleans.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Family
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-08-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a train crash, confiscating rebel property including horses, cattle, sheep and mules. Writes of having plenty of food on their travel back to camp including dining on lamb. Provided a meal at an old planters house. Mentions Negroes (slaves) and 1500 Blacks at camp, sending troops to Gen. Phelps, the expectation of getting paid, rebels killed in an encounter with the enemy.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-28
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters one dated March 28th and one April 6th.Topics include a description of the journey to Ship Island, Mississippi, being seasick, about the food and hard bread, poor quality water and little of it, writes of his faith in God and his sighting of the island.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-04
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his father from Brattleboro topics include the duties of an orderly for a Colonel, the improved health of Justus Gale, and the expected journey to New York.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Father
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-12-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the health of Justus Gale, the mistaken attack (friendly fire) by the Indiana regiment, the process of making sugar done by the slaves, and the daily drilling in camp.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Sister
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-11-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the movement of the regiment to Brashear City, of city purchases by Justus Gale of barrels of apples which he resold by the piece, of buying tobacco, postage stamps, writing supplies, local terms for cash money, of commanding officers of 3rd Louisiana colored regiment and the dry weather.
Title: Justus E. Gale to Sister and Mother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-11-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a summary of the health of Justus Gale’s family, makes references to his faith, the movement of the regiment to Brashear City, a scene in camp as soldiers go about various activities, and the warm weather.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-04-05
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters, dated April 5th and 6th he writes from aboard the Ship Wallace heading for Ship Island. Mentions the "sugar place" back home in Elmore, Vt. Topics also include making a little bit of money buying and selling tobacco, the displeasure at having to remain on the ship, and the capture of two rebel steamers up the Mississippi River.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-02-07
Resource type: correspondence
Writing from Brattleboro, Vermont, topics include news of bombardment of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River (February 6, 1862) by Commodore Andrew Hull Foote (officer of the U.S. Navy) and General Ulysses S. Grant, a skirmish that resulted in finding a barrel of rum, food sometimes good but not the hash made in camp and the vaccination of the company for pox.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-02-27
Resource type: correspondence
Writing to his brother from Brattleboro topics include Justus Gale’s journey and arrival back at Camp Holbrook after having gone home to Elmore, Vermont for a visit, the expectation of receiving pay, and the possibility of leaving for Ship Island, Mississippi soon.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-03-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the improvement of Justus Gale’s health, over $60 of military pay sent home, trading for a watch and the anticipated journey to New York and then on to Ship Island, Mississippi.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-04-24
Resource type: correspondence
Two letters dated April 24th and 25th. Topics include the capture of Fort Jackson(?) ; fort south of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, [battle April 18-28], the food at camp good except greasy pork meat, and the schedule for the day including battalion drills and dress parade.
Title: Justus F. Gale to Brother
Creator: Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863
Date: 1862-05-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the process of choosing new officers and police in New Orleans, Gen. Butler's orders to the N.O. police being refused, illness among some of the soldiers, fruit berries available, other provisions few and expensive, summary of all the letters that have been received by Justus Gale, and how welcome the Vermont regiment is in New Orleans.
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