Henry A. Smith Correspondence
Collection Overview
Henry A. Smith of Royalton, Vt., enlisted in Co. E, 1st Vermont Cavalry, on September 23, 1861. He was taken prisoner on July 6, 1863, at Hagerstown, Md., and died at Richmond, Va., on Februrary 29, 1864.
Smith's letters are written to his family and friends. He describes the regiment's trip to Washington, D.C., and in 1863 writes from Belle Island where he is being held prisoner. The last letter is to Smith's mother from H. W. Spafford, May 16, 1864, and announces Smith's death.
Time Period Covered: November 16, 1861 - December 29, 1861
Parent Collections
Related Archival Collection(s)
Correspondence of Henry A. Smith
Published: March 24, 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)
Recipient(s)
- , [17]
- Smith,Clarissa, d. 1891 [12]
- 1862-01-25, [1]
- Smith,Frances E. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [8]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Military camps -- Maryland [4]
- Military campsVirginia [3]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [3]
- Culpeper County (Va.) [1]
- Richmond (Va.) [1]
- Slavery -- United States -- History [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Participation, Juvenile [1]
Format(s)
- text [34]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [34]
Topic(s)
- Battle casualties [10]
- United StatesArmy Military life [10]
- Prisoners of war [8]
- Horses [7]
- Skirmishing [7]
- Guerrilla warfare [3]
- Picketing [3]
- Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss1816-1894 [2]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [2]
- Diseases [2]
- McClellan, George Brinton1826-1885 [2]
- Morale [2]
- Mosby, John Singleton1833-1916 [2]
- Pope, John1822-1892 [2]
- Postal service [2]
- Prisoner-of-war camps [2]
- African Americans [1]
- Burnside, Ambrose Everett1824-1881 [1]
- Children and war [1]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [1]
- Food [1]
- Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Military discipline [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Military maneuvers [1]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [1]
- Photographs [1]
- Promotions, Military [1]
- Railroad trains [1]
- Stoughton, Edwin H. (Edwin Henry)1838-1868 [1]
- Stuart, Jeb1833-1864 [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- War Economic aspects [1]
- War casualties [1]
- Winchester, 1st Battle of, Winchester, Va., 1862 (May 25) [1]
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Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-03-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include resuming encampment after living indoors for a while. An early March skirmish in Aldie, Va. is mentioned, as is the capture of General E.H. Stoughton in bed, in a daring raid by CSA Capt. John S. Mosby at Fairfax County Court House. Mosby managed to capture dozens of union soldiers, learn the "Countersign," or password, and go wherever he wanted. (The embarrassment ended Stoughton's military career.) Smith mentions his wish for a photograph of his siblings, and his wish for news from home.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-02-06
Resource type: correspondence
A short letter thanking his mother for the box she sent. Although generally satisfied with the food, he wishes the requested socks had arrived as well. He adds a brief correction: "We do not belong to Burnsides Army but belong to the defences of Washington." Weather in February has been bad, and March will probably be just as bad.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-01-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include rebel raids on the pickets, how comfortable their camp is, what he wants in a box his family will be sending him, including a baked chicken and maple sugar. He also mentions his views about the war and whether France will come in on the Confederate side. Mentions CSA Gen. Jeb Stuart and his cavalry raids.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-06-02
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include his praise of the work being done at home on the farm by his brothers, a description of Mosby’s attack on the train at Catlett’s Station (May 31st), and his wish that his mother use his money to purchase more pasture land in Royalton.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-11-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include receiving a letter from home, his hope to be released and return home, and news about others from his regiment who were killed or wounded at Hagerstown on July 6.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-02-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the weather, the capture of some Confederate officers by a scouting party, his advice to his mother about the farm, and the lack of specie in the area due to the war. Still needs a pair of socks.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-05-17
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the leafing out of fruit trees, another skirmish with Mosby’s raiders, and his skepticism about news of the war.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-08-11
Resource type: correspondence
A short letter written from Belle Isle Prison to reassure his mother after his capture on July 6 at Hagerstown, Maryland.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Clarissa A. Smith
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1863-06-21
Resource type: correspondence
A short letter informing his mother that the regiment was under marching orders and that he had his picture taken.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-12-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey to Washington and rations.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1861-12-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Washington to Anapolis, Maryland and an account of a runaway slave.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-01-10
Resource type: correspondence
From Annapolis, Maryland topics include the welcoming in New York City, pay soon and to be in Treasury notes, description and conditions at the camp in Annapolis, 21 horses of the regiment's that died in transport or in the mud since leaving Burlington and a list of items wanted and what type of box they are to be put in.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith receiving his payment, a request for some items from home, and the bad weather in Annapolis.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-03-30
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Annapolis to Harpers Ferry, Henry Smith's good health, liking the hand made shirt he received from home very much, keeps his brandy with him, burning of the post office by the Confederates, requests more postage stamps.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-04-20
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Harpers Ferry to Newmarket, reference to General Banks division, detailed description of the suicide of Major Colins' Colonel, Michigan Calvary refusing to obey orders to charge the enemy, the Calvary rode away, mention of Lieut Col Kellogg and a Col Ashby, an encounter with the rebels that resulted in three rebel deaths and two rebel prisoners, getting pay.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-05-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include General Banks' Division falling back to Strasburgh, the frequent skirmishes with Ashbys Cavalry, an account of a man in Company I who shot a rebel, Smith's hand wounded by a fellow soldier playing carelessly with a sabre, men eating well, mention of Oliver Cushman of Hartland who was promoted to second Lieutenant, reference to military pay.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-05-27
Resource type: correspondence
From Williams Post, Maryland Smith writes 2 letters one dated May 27 and one May 28. (First Battle of Winchester, May 25, 1862). Topics include a terrible battle in and near Winchester in which he escaped injury, of many men from the regiment being lost but many returning to camp the next day, rebels suffering great losses, mentions General Shields, General Fremont and General Banks, cautions given to his siblings at home regarding being in and near the water.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-07
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the defeat and retreat of the regiment to Williamsport (Battle of Harrisonburg?? June 6), telling of southern woman firing upon union soldiers, of the shooting death of a drummer boy by a southern woman, description of a rebel regiment's clothing recognized as the Louisiana Tigers, transporting the sick and wounded by wagon to hospitals, a summary of the men who were lost or wounded.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey from Williamsport to Snickers Ferry on the Shenandoah River, mentions by name men missing from the Company, mentions horses in battle, of his horse having had very little to eat, the rumor that General Pope is going to take control of the army, Gen. Fremont resigning, Gen. Banks to be Assistant Sec. of War, and the Quarter Master Old Jones & Lieutenant Grover's waiter being taken prisoners.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-07-05
Resource type: correspondence
From Snickers Ferry on the Shenandoah River topics include news from Richmond, rumor that Stonewall Jackson was killed, having enough to eat including local peaches & cherries found in Virginia, horses well fed, men on picket duty, newspaper report that General McClellan taken prisoner along with 40,000 of his men, and Henry Smith's homesickness.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-07-28
Resource type: correspondence
From Culpeper Court House (Virginia) topics include a list of regiments in the area including the 1st Vt, the hope that Captain Rundlett submits his resignation, the resignation of Colonel Kellogg, the acquiring of double barrel shotguns taken from the citizens, brief reference to Gen. McClellan and Gen. John Pope and the prediction that the war will not last much longer.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-08-14
Resource type: correspondence
Six miles south of Culpeper (Virginia) two letters included dated Aug 15 and Aug 15. Topics include an exchange of fire near the Orange Court House, the numerous rebel deaths, injuries, and prisoners, and another terrible battle at Culpeper with references to Jackson, Banks and John Pope.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-02
Resource type: correspondence
From Alexandria, Virginia topics include transporting the sick, injured and "used up horses", the expectation of new horses, the extensive fortifications between Alexandria and Centerville, the horrors of war, the restriction of letter writing until 10 days following a battle, reference to men having fought in a battle but does not say which one (Pope's Campaign??) and Henry Smith's wish to return home.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-11
Resource type: correspondence
From camp near Alexandria Va. topics include the journey from Alexandria to Munsons Hill and back to a camp near Alexandria, to his lending money to fellow soldiers, reference to Vermont regiments 9th, 10th and 11th, a description of Wesley Watts being wounded in a skirmish against the rebels, praise of McClellan, reference to Bull Run, John Pope and some of the other men who have been wounded.
Title: Henry A. Smith to Family
Creator: Smith, Henry A., d. 1864
Date: 1862-09-24
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Henry Smith losing his horse, camp punishment of John H. Willard for disobeying an order, and the numerous men who were wounded and killed.
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