Topics include receiving a long letter from his sister, Lois, and apologizing for scolding her, complimenting her on her studies and wishing he could attend a Lyceum in which Lois is giving a paper. He also writes of the importance of getting letters from home and his promotion to 1st Lieutenant.
Writes of good news for the Union from various theaters of war including the fall of Savannah, Georgia with the capture of 15,000 rebel prisoners & taking of Fort Fisher, his hope to be home by next Christmas, receiving his commission as Captain of Company I and his pride in it, requests his... Show moreWrites of good news for the Union from various theaters of war including the fall of Savannah, Georgia with the capture of 15,000 rebel prisoners & taking of Fort Fisher, his hope to be home by next Christmas, receiving his commission as Captain of Company I and his pride in it, requests his sister send him more kid gloves for the other officers in the regiment. Show less
Topics include Lyman’s promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, inquiries about his Canadian cousins, trying to keep cool, with a bucket of ice water to drink, needing money sent to him to pay for his new equipment as 2nd Lieutenant, a discussion about the officers in his new company, a report... Show moreTopics include Lyman’s promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, inquiries about his Canadian cousins, trying to keep cool, with a bucket of ice water to drink, needing money sent to him to pay for his new equipment as 2nd Lieutenant, a discussion about the officers in his new company, a report about the loss of prisoners by the 4th and 11th Regiments, destruction of railroad tracks and bridges. Show less
To the Governor of Vermont, Frederick Holbrook regarding names recommended for promotions, reporting Colonel Blunt at Fairfax Station, and the capture of General Stoughton.
Topics include Mary Farnham finally heading home from her stay in Washington D.C., arrival of General George J. Stannard & his headquarters to be at Union Mills, Va., the prediction of moving soon & possibly guarding the railroad, an update on some of the men in camp, reference to Mr. and Mrs.... Show moreTopics include Mary Farnham finally heading home from her stay in Washington D.C., arrival of General George J. Stannard & his headquarters to be at Union Mills, Va., the prediction of moving soon & possibly guarding the railroad, an update on some of the men in camp, reference to Mr. and Mrs. Peach, and the possibility of Roswell Farnham becoming a colonel in a new regiment. Show less
Topics include trying to get a pass into camp so a friend can see the Rebel prisoners, promotions in the Regiment, including the promotion of Colonel Stannard to Brigadier General, and a riot by the 65th Illinois Infantry Regiment against the sutlers.
Topics include the monotony of camp life, his hope for action, and his comments about promotions in the Regiment. In particular, he feels he will be passed over and a junior captain promoted to Major, because he is not a crony of Colonel Ripley’s. He also compares maintaining discipline in a... Show moreTopics include the monotony of camp life, his hope for action, and his comments about promotions in the Regiment. In particular, he feels he will be passed over and a junior captain promoted to Major, because he is not a crony of Colonel Ripley’s. He also compares maintaining discipline in a military company with maintaining discipline at home. Show less
Barney reminiscences about enlisting in the 9th Vermont one year before, how he is glad he wasn’t conscripted, since that would have not been honorable and about military pay. He also writes of a mutiny in the 99th New York Regiment and the punishment of the ring leaders (bucked and gagged) when... Show moreBarney reminiscences about enlisting in the 9th Vermont one year before, how he is glad he wasn’t conscripted, since that would have not been honorable and about military pay. He also writes of a mutiny in the 99th New York Regiment and the punishment of the ring leaders (bucked and gagged) when they refused to march. As well, he writes about promotions and the fact that his first lieutenant, Linus E. Sherman, is looked upon as “small potatoes” and has probably held Barney back from promotion too. Show less
Barney writes of continuing to gain strength, though not as quickly as he hoped; plans to buy a horse; excited at the news of his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.
Topics include discussing her trip to Danby, promotions in the Regiment, deserters returning to his Company, his brother Elisha being robbed in Washington, D.C., and a description of his rooms.
Still at Camp Douglas with the Regiment remaining in Chicago to guard 1500 expected Rebel prisoners from Arkansas, good supper on tin dishes, getting teased about writing to his wife so frequently, the reported resignation of a brother of Lieut. Sherman in Company C because he was passed over for... Show moreStill at Camp Douglas with the Regiment remaining in Chicago to guard 1500 expected Rebel prisoners from Arkansas, good supper on tin dishes, getting teased about writing to his wife so frequently, the reported resignation of a brother of Lieut. Sherman in Company C because he was passed over for promotion, love to his daughter Carrie and son Fred. Show less
Reflects on how different the Sabbath is for him while in the Army, of borrowing a horse to ride for the first time in a long while to make his rounds as “officer of the day”, a seven mile circuit. Writes of hearing heavy cannonading, 9th NY Infantry Regiment Hawkins Zouaves, & of rumors of the... Show moreReflects on how different the Sabbath is for him while in the Army, of borrowing a horse to ride for the first time in a long while to make his rounds as “officer of the day”, a seven mile circuit. Writes of hearing heavy cannonading, 9th NY Infantry Regiment Hawkins Zouaves, & of rumors of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Edward A. Kimball as the Siege of Suffolk (Virginia April 11 - May 4) begins. Discusses his feelings about recent promotions in the Regiment and his fear that the Regiment will be consolidated with another. Show less
Writes of his feelings about being passed over for promotion in favor of Captain Edward H. Ripley being promoted to Major, since Ripley is friends with Major Stowell and is wealthy. Barney has seniority, is reassured he is well liked, respected and has the support of most of the line officers. He... Show moreWrites of his feelings about being passed over for promotion in favor of Captain Edward H. Ripley being promoted to Major, since Ripley is friends with Major Stowell and is wealthy. Barney has seniority, is reassured he is well liked, respected and has the support of most of the line officers. He also writes of collecting photographs for his album. Show less
Topics include moving to a camp near the east corner of the fort, a description of the fort including how many guns and what types of guns, and the appointment of Eaton as the major of the 10th regiment.
Topics include his confidence in her childrearing abilities, Colonel Stannard’s promotion, the gifts the Regiment wishes to give him including a horse, saddle and other equestrian equipment, his hope that the Regiment will be under his command in one of the Vermont Brigades. He also writes of... Show moreTopics include his confidence in her childrearing abilities, Colonel Stannard’s promotion, the gifts the Regiment wishes to give him including a horse, saddle and other equestrian equipment, his hope that the Regiment will be under his command in one of the Vermont Brigades. He also writes of giving photographs of Tom Thumb and his wife as gifts to his children. Show less
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.
Scolding his wife about letter writing, about her being off visiting in cold weather, an account of Wheelock’s trip to Washington, D.C., missing his wife and wishing she had been with him in Washington, exercising his horses upon his return to camp, the appointment of Wheelock as the Colonel of... Show moreScolding his wife about letter writing, about her being off visiting in cold weather, an account of Wheelock’s trip to Washington, D.C., missing his wife and wishing she had been with him in Washington, exercising his horses upon his return to camp, the appointment of Wheelock as the Colonel of the 10th Vermont Regiment and the subsequent issue with the appointment, sending military pay home & concerns about expenses. Show less
Topics include Veazey’s promotion to Provost Marshall, what his duties are, campaign strategy and reference to General Porter, Centreville and campaign in the south west.
