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)
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [144]
- Veazey, Wheelock G., 1835-1898 [122]
- Barney, Valentine G., 1834-1889 [110]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [98]
- Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915 [92]
- Rutherford, Joseph Chase, 1818-1902 [88]
- Gale, Justus F., 1837-1863 [48]
- Smith, Henry A., d. 1864 [34]
- Towle, Ransom W., d. 1864 [33]
- Wilder, Henry Harrison [29]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [21]
- Stone, Edward P., 1830-1920 [16]
- 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 [10]
- Heaton, Solomon G. [8]
- Blunt, Asa P. [6]
- Dillingham, Charles, b. 1837 [5]
- Parmenter, Benjamin F., 1832-1896 [5]
- Quimby, George W. [5]
- Farnham, Mary E. [4]
- Holbrook, W. C. [4]
- White, Daniel S., 1837-1912 [4]
- Fairbanks, Erastus [3]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [3]
- Stone, John M., 1835-1915 [3]
- Whitmore, Orange S., 1836-1908 [3]
- Barton, Hiram H., 1836-1903 [2]
- Canning, Charles C., b. 1828 [2]
- Davis, George F., 1815-1901 [2]
- Fullam, Volney S. [2]
- Hitchcock, E. V. N. [2]
- Leffnis, N. S. [2]
- Marshall, Ira A., d. 1893 [2]
- Mason, E. P. [2]
- May, Albert A. [2]
- Morrill, Justin S. [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Turner, Orlando S., b. 1839 [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]
- Carter, Justin, d. 1871 [1]
- Clark, Lawrence D. [1]
- Dudley, N. A. M. [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [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]
- Jewett, Albert B., 1829-1887 [1]
- Johnson, E. T. [1]
- Jones, John L. T., d. 1883. [1]
- Joyce, Charles H., 1830-1916 [1]
- Legar, Joseph [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]
- Randall, F. V. [1]
- Ripley, Wm. Y. W. [1]
- Samson, Merrill F. [1]
- Sawyer, Moses W., 1831-1916 [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Stannard, George J., 1820-1886 [1]
- Stoughton, Edwin H. [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]
- [Farnham], Mary [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [102]
- Barney,Maria, 1833-1884 [95]
- Henry,Mary Jane, d. 1871 [65]
- Veazey, Julia A. [58]
- , [51]
- Spafford, Mary Jane [39]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [36]
- Veazey, Julia A., [36]
- Rutherford, Hannah [29]
- Spafford,Mary Jane, b. 1839 [29]
- Veazey,Julia A., 1836-1928 [26]
- Holbrook, Frederick [20]
- Barney, Maria [18]
- Henry, Mary Jane, [18]
- Spafford, Mary Jane, [18]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [12]
- Henry, William Wirt, [11]
- Gale,Charles T., 1845-1862 [9]
- Gale,Jonas, 1800-1874 [9]
- Towle, Sebra [9]
- Masta, Emeline B. [8]
- Harding, C. H. [7]
- Williams,Lois L. [7]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [5]
- 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]
- Henry,William Wirt, 1831-1915 [4]
- White, Homer [4]
- Bancroft,Clarissa E., 1843-1864 [3]
- Blunt, Asa P. [3]
- Towle, Rufus [3]
- [Gale,Samantha A., 1832-1892] [3]
- Barton,Melissa [2]
- Beard, Albin [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee [2]
- Gale,Abigail Albee, 1801-1869 [2]
- Henry, John [2]
- Howe, Maria E. [2]
- Howe,Maria E., [2]
- Spafford, John, b. 1810; Spafford [2]
- Spafford, Joseph, 1837-1866 [2]
- Stone,John F., 1803-1884 [2]
- Turner, Louisa A. [2]
- White,Homer, 1837-1919 [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]
- Henry,James Edwin, 1844-1865 [1]
- Hill, W. H. [1]
- Holbrook, F. F. [1]
- Holbrook, William Cune, 1842-1904 [1]
- Mason, E. [1]
- Rutherford, Jacob [1]
- Smith,Frances E. [1]
- Spafford, Marianne, [1]
- Spafford, Marianne [1]
- Stone, John F. [1]
- Stoughton, Edwin H. [1]
- Thomas, Lorenzo [1]
- Towle Rufus, 1804-1892; Towle, [1]
- Towle, Sebra, [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 camps -- Virginia [275]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [116]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [114]
- Military camps -- Maryland [38]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [34]
- Military campsVirginia [32]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [32]
- Camp Douglas (Ill.) [29]
- Military camps -- Vermont [25]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [25]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [24]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women [24]
- Military camps -- Louisiana [20]
- Military campsMaryland [19]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [17]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [15]
- Chicago (Ill.) [14]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [14]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [14]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [13]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [11]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Social aspects [11]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [10]
- Suffolk (Va.) [8]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music [7]
- Yorktown (Va.) [7]
- Baton Rouge (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1862 [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Destruction and pillage [6]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Women [6]
- VermontHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [6]
- Harpers Ferry (W. Va.) [5]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [5]
- Abolitionists -- United States -- History -- 19th century [4]
- Fort Jackson (La.) [4]
- Military camps -- Illinois [4]
- Secession -- Southern States [4]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [4]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Casualties [4]
- Fort Saint Philip (La.) [3]
- Military camps -- Mississippi [3]
- Richmond (Va.) [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Flags [3]
- Winchester (Va.) [3]
- Fort Pike (La.) [2]
- Military campsLouisiana [2]
- New Orleans (La.)HistoryCivil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- Suffolk (Va.)HistorySiege, 1863 [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, Juvenile [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Campaigns [2]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Military reconnaissance [2]
- Baton Rouge (La.)HistorySiege, 1862 [1]
- Hopewell (Va.)City Point [1]
- Port Hudson (La.) -- History -- Siege, 1863 [1]
- Portville (N.Y.) [1]
- Roanoke Island (N.C.) -- History -- Capture, 1862 [1]
- Slavery -- United States -- History [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Atrocities [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Poetry [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865African Americans [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Medical care [1]
- United StatesHistoryCivil War, 1861-1865Prisoners and prisons [1]
Format(s)
- text [1026]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [1025]
- diary [1]
Topic(s)
- United StatesArmy Military life [260]
- Families of military personnel [225]
- Armed Forces Officers [215]
- Diseases [119]
- Morale [108]
- Food [69]
- Picketing [62]
- Prisoners of war [60]
- Military pay [54]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [52]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865) [51]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [49]
- Drill and minor tactics [45]
- Love-letters [45]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 3rd (1861-1865) [45]
- Promotions, Military [42]
- Horses [37]
- Photographs [37]
- Postal service [34]
- United StatesArmy Surgeons [34]
- Military hospitals [33]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) [32]
- War casualties [32]
- Homesickness [31]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [30]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863) [30]
- Military leaves and furloughs [28]
- Military discipline [27]
- Skirmishing [27]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [24]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1863) [24]
- African Americans [23]
- Newspapers [21]
- Recruiting and enlistment [21]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [21]
- Religion [19]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [19]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [18]
- Sutlers [18]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [18]
- Pillage [17]
- Military chaplains [16]
- Military discharge [16]
- Armies Medical and sanitary affairs [14]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865) [14]
- Women in war [14]
- Butler, (Benjamin Franklin)Mr1818-1893 [13]
- Slaves [13]
- Guerrilla warfare [12]
- Medicine, Military [12]
- Patriotism [12]
- Hooker, Joseph1814-1879 [11]
- Intrenchments [11]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864) [11]
- War Psychological aspects [11]
- Peninsular Campaign, 1862 [10]
- Ship Island (Miss.) [10]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865) [10]
- War Economic aspects [10]
- Contraband of war [9]
- Desertion, Military [9]
- Draft United States [9]
- Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 [9]
- Grief [9]
- Mosby, John Singleton1833-1916 [9]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [9]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [8]
- Fugitive slaves [8]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866).Company C [8]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [7]
- Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 [7]
- Slavery [7]
- Steamboats [7]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 9th (1862-1865).Company B [7]
- African American soldiers [6]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [6]
- Military deserters [6]
- Military maneuvers [6]
- Railroad trains [6]
- Stannard, George Jerrison1820-1886 [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [6]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [5]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [5]
- Carver General Hospital (Washington, D.C.) [5]
- Children and war [5]
- Copperhead movement [5]
- Fredericksburg, Battle of, Fredericksburg, Va., 1862 [5]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [4]
- Executions and executioners [4]
- Fair Oaks, Battle of, Va., 1862 [4]
- Hardtack [4]
- Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward)1807-1870 [4]
- Photographers [4]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [4]
- Reporters and reporting [4]
- Capitulations, Military [3]
- Fort Henry, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [3]
- Freedmen [3]
- Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward)1807-1870 Assassination [3]
- Military funerals [3]
- Sharpshooters [3]
- Soldiers Suicidal behavior [3]
- Stoughton, Edwin H. (Edwin Henry)1838-1868 [3]
- Stuart, Jeb1833-1864 [3]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1865)Company F [3]
- Amputation [2]
- Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862 [2]
- Fraternization [2]
- Hancock, Winfield Scott1824-1886 [2]
- Holbrook, Frederickt1813-1909 [2]
- Meade, George Gordon1815-1872 [2]
- Merrimack (Frigate) [2]
- Racism [2]
- Richmond (Va.) [2]
- Savage's Station, Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Seven Days' Battles, Va., 1862 [2]
- Sheep [2]
- Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863 [2]
- United StatesArmy Flags [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 2nd (1862-1863) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 10th (1862-1865).Company B [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 11th (1862-1865) [2]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 14th (1862-1863) [2]
- VermontGovernor (1861-1863 : Holbrook) [2]
- Vicksburg (Miss.) [2]
- War victims [2]
- Wistar, Isaac J. (Isaac Jones)1827-1905 [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Antislavery movements [1]
- Beauregard, G. T. (Gustave Toutant)1818-1893 [1]
- Bounties, Military [1]
- Boyd, Belle1844-1900 [1]
- Bragg, Braxton1817-1876 [1]
- Brandy Station, Battle of, Brandy Station, Va., 1863 [1]
- Bristoe Station, Battle of, Va., 1863 [1]
- Corcoran, Michael1827-1863 [1]
- Cowardice [1]
- Crampton's Gap, Battle of, Md., 1862 [1]
- Fort Donelson, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [1]
- Jackson, Stonewall1824-1863 [1]
- Mine Run Campaign, Va., 1863 [1]
- Mitchell, Maggie1837-1918 [1]
- Monitor (Ironclad) [1]
- Musicians [1]
- Naglee, Henry M. (Henry Morris)1815-1886 [1]
- Patent medicines [1]
- Pleasanton, A. J. (Alfred J.)1824-1897 [1]
- Prisoner-of-war escapes [1]
- Rosecrans, William S. (William Starke)1819-1898 [1]
- Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862 [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Surgery, Military [1]
- Swisshelm, Jane Grey Cannon1815-1884 [1]
- Traitors [1]
- Trench warfare [1]
- United StatesArmy of the Potomac [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865)Company B [1]
- VermontAdjutant and Inspector General's Office [1]
- White, Elijah V. (Elijah Viers)1832-1907 [1]
- Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25) [1]
-
? to Father -
? to Lorenzo Thomas -
A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps -
![Thumbnail:A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps18_1-thumb.jpg)
A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phel... -
Albert A. May to Friend -
Albert A. May to Friends -
Albert B. Jewett to William Wirt He... -
Asa P. Blunt -
Asa P. Blunt -
Asa P. Blunt -
Asa P. Blunt -
Asa P. Blunt to E. Mason -
Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham -
Battle of Big Bethal, Va June 10th,... -
Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott ... -
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother -
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother -
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother -
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother -
Benjamin F. Parmenter to Brother -
Bird's-Eye View of Fortress Monroe ... -
Charles C. Canning to William Wirt ... -
Charles C. Canning to William Wirt ... -
Charles C. Gregg to William Wirt He... -
Charles Dillingham to William Wirt ...