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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes with details of the Battle of Monocacy, including that he and Major Edwin Dillingham were nearly captured and only escaped by using two lame artillery horses. The 10th Vermont was on the left of the line, and when the line to the right of him collapsed, he was able to hold long...
Show moreHenry writes with details of the Battle of Monocacy, including that he and Major Edwin Dillingham were nearly captured and only escaped by using two lame artillery horses. The 10th Vermont was on the left of the line, and when the line to the right of him collapsed, he was able to hold long enough to let them retreat, and then retreat successfully himself, though cut off from the main army. He was complimented by General Wallace and General Rickett for bringing in both his regiment and the 87th Pennsylvania, when both were feared to be taken prisoner. He ends the letter abruptly by writing that Confederate forces were two miles away and he needed to go investigate.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes to reassure his wife that he is unhurt after the Battle of Monocacy on July 9th, and to let her know that he is now in command of a brigade guarding the approach to Washington D.C. at Relay House, Maryland. He also writes that none of the Waterbury men were wounded and that the 14th...
Show moreHenry writes to reassure his wife that he is unhurt after the Battle of Monocacy on July 9th, and to let her know that he is now in command of a brigade guarding the approach to Washington D.C. at Relay House, Maryland. He also writes that none of the Waterbury men were wounded and that the 14th N.J. and the 106th N.Y. lost many of their officers, and that the Rebels outnumbered the Union troops three to one. [Confederate victory]
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away...
Show moreHenry writes that the Third Division of the Sixh Corps has unexpectedly been ordered to Harper’s Ferry to help defend Washington D.C. against Lieutenant General Jubal Early’s advance (though Henry writes that the general in command is General Ewell), and that the men are pleased to be moved away from Petersburg.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he has celebrated the Fourth of July by writing letters to his “sister” Katie Parker, and to Eli B. Johnson, and that he couldn’t go to bed without writing a short letter to his wife, though his wound still pains him.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes of his gratitude for his wife’s patriotic words in her last letter, and that he is pleased with her praise of his courage and hopes he will remain brave. He mentions the Battle of Cold Harbor and that he now has the reputation of a fighting officer, since he led the charge there. He...
Show moreHenry writes of his gratitude for his wife’s patriotic words in her last letter, and that he is pleased with her praise of his courage and hopes he will remain brave. He mentions the Battle of Cold Harbor and that he now has the reputation of a fighting officer, since he led the charge there. He also writes that he is back in command of the regiment again, though his hand is not completely healed, and writes as well of the bravery of the colored troops, which the men call “whitewashed yankees.” At the end of the letter he mentions his sister Delia, who has married a Southern doctor and lives in Kinston, N.C., hoping she can live in peace and has enough to eat.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that his hand is getting better and he hopes to return to his command in a couple of days. The army is currently resting, though there are rumors that the cavalry and gun boats will be going into action soon. He also writes that the army has confidence in Grant and Mead and that the...
Show moreHenry writes that his hand is getting better and he hopes to return to his command in a couple of days. The army is currently resting, though there are rumors that the cavalry and gun boats will be going into action soon. He also writes that the army has confidence in Grant and Mead and that the loss of the railroad will hurt the Confederates, since they have a large army to feed and many civilians have fled to Richmond and Petersburg. As well, Henry writes of how much he misses his wife and how angry he is with Dr. Child for not authorizing leave. He also writes of having to put down the young horse he bought for his wife to ride because it caught glanders.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he is getting along well and that Captain Dillingham and Lieutenant Thompson are both at the Hospital with him. They are all staying with Assistant Surgeon Dr. Rutherford and the Chaplain, Edwin M. Haynes. As well, Henry writes that because of his experience in the Hospital, he...
Show moreHenry writes that he is getting along well and that Captain Dillingham and Lieutenant Thompson are both at the Hospital with him. They are all staying with Assistant Surgeon Dr. Rutherford and the Chaplain, Edwin M. Haynes. As well, Henry writes that because of his experience in the Hospital, he now has a greater appreciation of the Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission, and he asks his wife to give the Sanitary Commission a ten dollar donation.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he has had to return to the hospital because he tore up the wound on his hand during a grand charge made by the 10th Vermont the day before. He complains that he and everyone else are very tired because of all the marching and charging they have had to do in such hot weather. He...
Show moreHenry writes that he has had to return to the hospital because he tore up the wound on his hand during a grand charge made by the 10th Vermont the day before. He complains that he and everyone else are very tired because of all the marching and charging they have had to do in such hot weather. He also writes that the 10th Vermont has been given a good position on the left side of the line and hasn’t seen as much hard fighting as the other regiments.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he has returned to command the 10th Regiment and that many officers are unhappy with the way Lieutenant Colonel Chandler manages the regiment. He also writes that the regiment is being held in reserve at the moment near Petersburgh where the Union troops hold half the city and...
Show moreHenry writes that he has returned to command the 10th Regiment and that many officers are unhappy with the way Lieutenant Colonel Chandler manages the regiment. He also writes that the regiment is being held in reserve at the moment near Petersburgh where the Union troops hold half the city and the Rebels the other half and that it came under fire the previous day, with seven soldiers wounded. Reference to Lt. Col. Chandler & his command & to the loss of Frost & Stetso
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and...
Show moreHenry writes that he is sorry for not writing sooner, but the Hospital was moved and his hand was so bad he thought he might lose it. It is better now and he hopes to be back with the Regiment in a few days. He also writes that the best account of the Battle of Cold Harbor is in the “Tribune” and to ignore the papers that reported his death or that he was wounded in the head.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes during a lull in the Battle of Cold Harbor that he has been wounded and a finger amputated, and that he will be in the Division Hospital for around three weeks, until he can wield a saber again. He then writes movingly about the death of Captain Edwin B. Frost, lists the names of...
Show moreHenry writes during a lull in the Battle of Cold Harbor that he has been wounded and a finger amputated, and that he will be in the Division Hospital for around three weeks, until he can wield a saber again. He then writes movingly about the death of Captain Edwin B. Frost, lists the names of some of the wounded and makes reference to Gen. Grant to lay siege to Richmond, Va. The letter was dictated to Lieutenant George P. Welch.
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- William Wirt Henry to Gov. J. Gregory Smith
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Strongly worded letter written to Governor Smith protesting his censuring of Henry for lack of discipline in the 10th Vermont, due to the complaints of Major Chandler over the promotion of Captain Frost. Henry writes that he believes the 10th Vermont is very disciplined and that the Governor’s...
Show moreStrongly worded letter written to Governor Smith protesting his censuring of Henry for lack of discipline in the 10th Vermont, due to the complaints of Major Chandler over the promotion of Captain Frost. Henry writes that he believes the 10th Vermont is very disciplined and that the Governor’s action in not sending commissions has harmed that discipline. He also states that the 10th Vermont has been under fire continuously and has done it’s duty well. Reference to Col. Jewett, Capt Dillingham Henry writes this letter while lying in a rifle pit, 1,000 yards from the Confederate forces.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried...
Show moreHenry writes that the line has advanced its position two miles south of Spotsylvania and the regiment has dug in, waiting for a Confederate attack or for the rebels to run out of food. He feels that the Army will try and flank the Confederate position, and mentions that General Jubal Early tried to raid Union wagons near Fredericksburg but was repulsed. Henry describes laying in the rifle pit, writing this letter while shots are going over his head, and mentions that he was shot at the night before, “but the fellow must have been a very poor shot...”
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that the 10th Vermont was moved from the left to the right of the Union line in expectation of a battle, but the orders were bungled and the 10th came too late and only skirmished. They were then moved back to their old position on the left. Two soldiers were killed in the skirmish.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that the 10th Vermont is in the same position and waiting for reinforcements. He also writes that he has seen terrible sights but will wait until he is home to tell his family about them. Henry continues the letter with a description of the political infighting in the regiment,...
Show moreHenry writes that the 10th Vermont is in the same position and waiting for reinforcements. He also writes that he has seen terrible sights but will wait until he is home to tell his family about them. Henry continues the letter with a description of the political infighting in the regiment, caused by Major (Charles G.) Chandler’s objection to the promotion of Captain Edwin B. Frost, which resulted in Governor (J. Gregory) Smith denying all the officers their commissions. Henry writes that he prefer charges against Major Chandler as soon as the Major gets drunk again.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and...
Show moreHenry writes from the field near Spottsylvania that the Vermont Brigade has been in the midst of the battles, but the 10th Vermont has been lucky enough to avoid the worst fighting. He mentions that the Governor (J. Gergory Smith) is coming for a visit and will send this letter home with him, and that his family should keep up their courage during these “exciting times” and write to him often.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes of heavy engagement of the Vermont 10th in battle and how the regiment has done itself proud. May be referring to Battle of Spotsylvania Court House or the Battle of the Wilderness. Few killed with few wounded from the regiment. One general was killed and another wounded by...
Show moreHenry writes of heavy engagement of the Vermont 10th in battle and how the regiment has done itself proud. May be referring to Battle of Spotsylvania Court House or the Battle of the Wilderness. Few killed with few wounded from the regiment. One general was killed and another wounded by sharpshooters. Reference to General Grant.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that the mail is being held up in Washington until the Regiment moves, that he has received postage stamps as he requested and that nothing much is happening except that some of the line officers are getting up a little “breeze” against Captain Frost. Reference to Captain Dillingham...
Show moreHenry writes that the mail is being held up in Washington until the Regiment moves, that he has received postage stamps as he requested and that nothing much is happening except that some of the line officers are getting up a little “breeze” against Captain Frost. Reference to Captain Dillingham and Mr. Dillingham.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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A long and emotional letter in which Henry writes of his relationship with his wife and his feelings about their marriage. He also mentions seeing General Grant for the first time and that he likes his looks, and that a big box has arrived from home. As well he writes of recommending various...
Show moreA long and emotional letter in which Henry writes of his relationship with his wife and his feelings about their marriage. He also mentions seeing General Grant for the first time and that he likes his looks, and that a big box has arrived from home. As well he writes of recommending various officers for promotion.
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- William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Henry writes that he was extremely happy getting a letter from his wife, and that he is glad her “little difficulties” were better. He mentions speaking with Captain Frost about Frost's visit to Waterbury, and that Colonel Jewett is talking about resigning again.