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 [96]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [85]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [67]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [59]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [48]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [33]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [32]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [29]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [26]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [24]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [21]
- Quimby, George W., 1835-1862 [12]
- Holbrook, Frederick [11]
- Williams, Lyman S., 1839-1905 [11]
- Bancroft, Charles F., 1835-1862 [10]
- Barstow, John Lester, 1832-1913 [6]
- Heaton, Solomon G. [6]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [5]
- Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896 [5]
- Quimby, George W. [5]
- Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920 [4]
- Fairbanks, Erastus [3]
- Holbrook, W. C. [3]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [3]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [3]
- Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903 [2]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [2]
- Davis, George F., 1815-1901 [2]
- Fullam, Volney S. [2]
- Leffnis, N. S. [2]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [2]
- Mason, E. P. [2]
- Morrill, Justin S. [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Stone, John M., 1835-1915 [2]
- Turner, Orlando S., b. 1839 [2]
- White, Daniel S., 1837-1912 [2]
- [1]
- , [1]
- Andross, Dudley K. [1]
- Bancroft, Charles F., d. 1862 [1]
- Barlow, Horace, 1842-1935 [1]
- Barton, Lyman [1]
- Barton, Theodore [1]
- Baxter, Horace Henry [1]
- Beard, Albin [1]
- Bliss, Warren E., 1840-1930 [1]
- Boynton, William H. [1]
- Browne, A. G. [1]
- Bruce, Horatio P., [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842 [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Morey [1]
- Bush, Joseph [1]
- Butler, Benjamin F. [1]
- Campbell, John W., 1823-1898 [1]
- Cannon, Le Grand B. [1]
- Carter, Frances E. [1]
- Clark, Lawrence D. [1]
- Dudley, N. A. M. [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [1]
- Farnham, Mary E. [1]
- Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910 [1]
- Halsey, Thomas H. [1]
- Hayward, Eben S. [1]
- Heintzleman, S. P. [1]
- Hunt, Leavitt [1]
- Jackman, A. [1]
- Johnson, E. T. [1]
- Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916 [1]
- Legar, Joseph [1]
- May, Albert A. [1]
- Merriam, John W., d. 1863 [1]
- Morse, E. A. [1]
- Murphy, Edward [1]
- Murray, B. [1]
- Peck, David B. [1]
- Pelton, William W. [1]
- Perkins, Hiram E. [1]
- Perkins, Joseph L. [1]
- Prichard, George; Baldwin, C. C. P.; and Johnson [1]
- Ripley, Wm. Y. W. [1]
- Samson, Merrill F. [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
- Terry, Henry L., 1820-1885 [1]
- Thurston, Quincy F., d. 1862 [1]
- Tuttle, Oscar S. [1]
- Tyler, Jonathan Curtis [1]
- Williams, Francis C. [1]
- Williams, Nathan A., 1837-1903 [1]
- Worthen, Harry N. [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [64]
- Veazey, Julia A. [58]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [44]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [39]
- Veazey, Julia A., [36]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [33]
- Rutherford, Hannah [29]
- , [26]
- Holbrook, Frederick [19]
- Barney, Maria [18]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [18]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [18]
- Henry, William Wirt, [11]
- Towle, Sebra [10]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [9]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [9]
- Masta, Emeline B. [8]
- Harding, C. H. [7]
- Williams,Lois L. [7]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876 [5]
- Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892 [5]
- Henry, Mary Jane [5]
- Henry, William Wirt [5]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874 [4]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [4]
- Towle, Rufus [4]
- White, Homer [4]
- Bancroft,Clarissa E., 1843-1864 [3]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [3]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [3]
- Barton,Melissa [2]
- Beard, Albin [2]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee, 1801-1869 [2]
- Henry, John [2]
- Howe, Maria E. [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [2]
- Turner, Louisa A. [2]
- Williams, Lois L. [2]
- [Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876] [2]
- 1862-01-25, [1]
- Bancroft, Smiley [1]
- Bancroft,Mary, 1809-1878 [1]
- Bancroft,Smiley, 1808-1874; Bancroft [1]
- Barton, Melissa [1]
- Butler, B. F. [1]
- Campbell, John W. [1]
- Dudley, N. A. M. [1]
- Gale,Almeda A., 1835-1876; Gale [1]
- Hayward, A. [1]
- Hayward, Amanda [1]
- Henry, John, [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
- Holbrook, F. F. [1]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [1]
- Mason, E. [1]
- Rutherford, Jacob [1]
- Spafford, Marianne, [1]
- Spafford, Marianne [1]
- Stone, John F. [1]
- Thomas, Lorenzo [1]
- Turner, Joseph [1]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [1]
- White, Homer, [1]
- White, Homer, [1]
- Williams, Caroline [1]
- Williams, Warren [1]
- Williams,Warren [1]
- Williams,Warren, Williams Caroline [1]
- [Barton,Melissa] [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [125]
- Military camps -- Virginia [114]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [69]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [61]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [60]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [55]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [21]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [21]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [21]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [20]
- Military camps -- Maryland [20]
- Military camps -- Vermont [20]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [19]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [15]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [9]
- Military campsWashington (D.C.) [9]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [9]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [9]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [9]
- Chicago (Ill.) [8]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [8]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [7]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [7]
- Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862 [6]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [6]
- Military campsVermont [5]
- Fort Jackson (La.) [4]
- Military campsMaryland [4]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [4]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Women [4]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [4]
- Fort Saint Philip (La.) [3]
- Military camps -- Mississippi [3]
- SecessionSouthern States [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women [3]
- Winchester (Va.) [3]
- Abolitionists -- United States -- History -- 19th century [2]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [2]
- Fort Pike (La.) [2]
- Harpers Ferry (W. Va.) [2]
- Military campsLouisiana [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Destruction and pillage [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Flags [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Participation, Juvenile [2]
- AbolitionistsUnited StatesHistory19th century [1]
- Roanoke Island (N.C.)HistoryCapture, 1862 [1]
- Secession -- Southern States [1]
- SlaveryUnited StatesHistory [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Poetry [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865African Americans [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Atrocities [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Prisoners and prisons [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Social aspects [1]
Format(s)
- text [682]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [681]
- diary [1]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy Military life [216]
- Armed Forces Officers [148]
- Families of military personnel [112]
- Veazey, Wheelock G. (Wheelock Graves)1835-1898 [91]
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [88]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [44]
- Drill and minor tactics [43]
- Prisoners of war [41]
- Picketing [40]
- Food [33]
- Love-letters [33]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [32]
- Postal service [29]
- War casualties [29]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [28]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [26]
- Homesickness [25]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [24]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [24]
- Military hospitals [23]
- Promotions, Military [22]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [21]
- Military discipline [21]
- African Americans [20]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [19]
- Military pay [18]
- Military leaves and furloughs [16]
- Recruiting and enlistment [16]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [16]
- Pillage [15]
- Skirmishing [14]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865) [14]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [14]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [13]
- Sutlers [13]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [12]
- Women in war [12]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [11]
- Horses [11]
- Religion [11]
- Intrenchments [10]
- Patriotism [10]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [10]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [10]
- Slaves [10]
- Photographs [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [9]
- Fugitive slaves [8]
- Grief [8]
- Medicine, Military [8]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [7]
- Military chaplains [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1863) [7]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [6]
- Contraband of war [6]
- Military discharge [6]
- Slavery [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [6]
- War Economic aspects [6]
- War Psychological aspects [6]
- African American soldiers [5]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [5]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [5]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [5]
- Carver General Hospital (Washington, D.C.) [5]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [5]
- Guerrilla warfare [5]
- Children and war [4]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [4]
- Military deserters [4]
- Photographers [4]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [4]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863) [4]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [3]
- Capitulations, Military [3]
- Desertion, Military [3]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [3]
- Freedmen [3]
- Hardtack [3]
- Military funerals [3]
- Newspapers [3]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [3]
- Steamboats [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865)Company F [3]
- Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 [2]
- Executions and executioners [2]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [2]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [2]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [2]
- Racism [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- Savage's Station, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 2nd (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864) [2]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Amputation [1]
- Antislavery movements [1]
- Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant)1818-1893 [1]
- Bounties, Military [1]
- Copperhead movement [1]
- Draft United States [1]
- Fort Donelson, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [1]
- Fraternization [1]
- Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862 [1]
- Holbrook, Frederickt1813-1909 [1]
- Monitor (Ironclad) [1]
- Musicians [1]
- Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- Trench warfare [1]
- United StatesArmy Flags [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 14th (1862-1863) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865)Company B [1]
- VermontAdjutant and Inspector General's Office [1]
- War victims [1]
- Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25) [1]
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![Thumbnail: [Lawrence] D. Clark, [William] W. Pelton, [Hiram] E. Perkins, [Dudley K.] Andross, [Oscar S.] Tuttle, [William] H. Boynton, [Joseph] Bush, [David B.] Peck, [Eben S.] Hayward, and Wm. Y. W. Ripley to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps03_1-thumb.jpg)
Creator: Clark, Lawrence D.; Pelton, William W.; Perkins, Hiram E.; Andross, Dudley K.; Tuttle, Oscar S.; Boynton, William H.; Bush, Joseph; Peck, David B.; Hayward, Eben S.; Ripley, Wm. Y. W.
Date: 1861-05-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the commanding officers of the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia requesting the 1st Regiment be allowed to stay at the Willard Hotel.
![Thumbnail: [Le Grand B. Cannon] to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps32_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: [Le Grand B. Cannon] to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Cannon, Le Grand B.
Date: 1862-10-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include General Phelps returning to Vermont and addressing members of the Legislature. (Phelps resigned his commission Aug. 21, 1862 after Washington rejected his recruitment of African Americans to fight for the Union.) Cannon invites Phelps to visit him to talk about the war.
![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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