Civil War Correspondence of William Wirt Henry William Wirt Henry Correspondence
Collection Overview
William Wirt Henry was born on November 21, 1831, in Waterbury, Vermont, the eldest child of James Madison Henry (1809-1863) and Matilda Gale Henry (1811-1888). William Wirt Henry was educated in the schools of Waterbury and spent one term at People's Academy in Morrisville. William taught school for one winter (1849-50) in Wolcott, Vermont, and then caught "gold fever" and moved to California to seek his fortune. He returned to Vermont in 1857 and joined his father's druggist business, J. M. Henry & Sons. In 1861 he sold his interest in the business and enlisted as a first lieutenant in Co. D of the Second Vermont Volunteers. He resigned November 5, 1861, and then reenlisted as a major in the Tenth Vermont Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1862 and to colonel in June 1864. He resigned December 17, 1864, and was made brevet brigadier general on March 7, 1865. He was wounded in the battles of Cold Harbor and Cedar Creek.
After he returned from war, William rejoined the family business, then known as John F. Henry & Co., manufacturer of patent medicines. William served in the Vermont Senate from Washington County in 1865-1868, and from Chittenden County in 1888-1889. He was mayor of Burlington from 1887 to 1889. He served for seven years as U.S Marshall for the District of Vermont and was a U.S. Immigration Inspector. From 1897 until 1907 he was the American Consul in Quebec. William W. Henry died August 31, 1915, at the age of 83. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont.
Henry's correspondence contains letters between Henry and his wife and family.
Time Period Covered: September 27, 1861 - November 4, 1861 September 27, 1861 - November 4, 1861
Parent Collections
Published: March 22, 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.
Collection Overview
William Wirt Henry was born on November 21, 1831, in Waterbury, Vermont, the eldest child of James Madison Henry (1809-1863) and Matilda Gale Henry (1811-1888). William Wirt Henry was educated in the schools of Waterbury and spent one term at People's Academy in Morrisville. William taught school for one winter (1849-50) in Wolcott, Vermont, and then caught "gold fever" and moved to California to seek his fortune. He returned to Vermont in 1857 and joined his father's druggist business, J. M. Henry & Sons. In 1861 he sold his interest in the business and enlisted as a first lieutenant in Co. D of the Second Vermont Volunteers. He resigned November 5, 1861, and then reenlisted as a major in the Tenth Vermont Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1862 and to colonel in June 1864. He resigned December 17, 1864, and was made brevet brigadier general on March 7, 1865. He was wounded in the battles of Cold Harbor and Cedar Creek.
After he returned from war, William Wirt Henry rejoined the family business, then known as John F. Henry & Co., manufacturer of patent medicines. William served in the Vermont Senate from Washington County in 1865-1868, and from Chittenden County in 1888-1889. He was mayor of Burlington from 1887 to 1889. He served for seven years as U.S Marshall for the District of Vermont and was a U.S. Immigration Inspector. From 1897 until 1907 he was the American Consul in Quebec. William W. Henry died August 31, 1915, at the age of 83. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont.
Henry's correspondence contains letters between Henry and his wife and family. The letters address family concerns, his health, casualties from friendly fire, kindness fro Col. Stannard, and an artillery review by General McClellan.
Time Period Covered: September 27, 1861 - November 4, 1861 September 27, 1861 - November 4, 1861
Parent Collections
Related Archival Collection(s)
William Wirt Henry Family Papers
Published: March 22, 2011, University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Center for Digital Initiatives
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to Vermont Historical Society Library, vhs-library@state.vt.us. For more information, see http://cdi.uvm.edu/about/rights. More information.
Browse Options
Creator(s)
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [26]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [5]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [2]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [2]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842 [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Finnegan [1]
- Bruidnell, William, b. 1842; Morey [1]
- Gregg, Charles C., 1832-1910 [1]
- Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916 [1]
- Murphy, Edward [1]
Recipient(s)
- Henry, Mary Jane, [18]
- Henry, William Wirt, [11]
- Henry, Mary Jane [5]
- Henry, William Wirt [5]
- Henry, John [2]
- Henry, John, [1]
- Henry, William Wirt, [1]
Place(s)
- Military campsVirginia [16]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [10]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Military camps -- Virginia [3]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [2]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [1]
- Roanoke Island (N.C.)HistoryCapture, 1862 [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Flags [1]
Format(s)
- text [43]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [43]
Topic(s)
- Armed Forces Officers [20]
- United StatesArmy Military life [19]
- Families of military personnel [10]
- Diseases [7]
- Promotions, Military [6]
- Drill and minor tactics [3]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [3]
- Prisoners of war [3]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Homesickness [2]
- Horses [2]
- Love-letters [2]
- Pillage [2]
- Recruiting and enlistment [2]
- Sutlers [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [1]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Marching [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [1]
- Military deserters [1]
- Military discharge [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [1]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [1]
- Skirmishing [1]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [1]
- United StatesArmy Flags [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
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Format: ("text")
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-01-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include William Henry's arrival at Camp Griffin, Virginia ; the men petitioning for Lt. Henry to be their captain ; mentions not yet receiving Elixir yet but has high hopes of sell a lot of it.
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.
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: 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: 1862-01-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Captain Dillingham returning to Brattleboro, the recommendation of Lieutenant Johnson for Captain, deep mud all over camp restricting movement, expecting the Elixir soon and hopes to sell it, the number of deaths in the regiment, and a description of Ed Wells.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-01-26
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the hardships of camp life, the sickness of Henry Daniels, wishing to be on his way home, selling the Elixir and liniment for twenty five dollars in two days.
Title: William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915
Date: 1862-02-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the terrible muddy weather at Camp Griffin, Va. restricting moving about, not selling much Elixir due to the mud and restriction of movement, the living arrangements with Dr. Carpenter, how he spends his time in camp with visiting, going to the Sutlers, playing a card game Euchre with Col. Stannard, wishing to be home to play with his young daughter and sends money home to his wife.
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.
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]-17
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include marching to the Maryland side of the Potomac River and a victory against the rebels.
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: 1862-02-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a travel route planned to return home via Annapolis, Brattleboro and maybe even Burlington, the capture of 18 Rebel prisoners near Fairfax, and the hope of one of the wounded prisoners, a Virginian, to retake the oath to become a citizen of the United States again, reference to a Flag of Truce to send a letter to the Confederate Army, his side business doing poorly as the men have expected orders to move and the Sutlers not buying for the same reason.
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.
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