Transportation to and from Vermont
The iron horse arrived late in Vermont. Travelers were almost able to get to Chicago by train in mid-to-late 1840s, but "nary an iron rail was on Vermont's soil. Northern New England had been forgotten in the push to the West; few railroad barons were interested in laying rails into a backwater area, and it was mostly local desperation that forced railways to penetrate the Green Mountain State in the late 1840s." (Meeks, 106).
But in the last couple years of that same decade, iron rails popped up all over the state. John Hayward, in his 1849 "Gazetteer of Vermont", indicates the following towns had railroads passing through them:
Barnet, Caledonia Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Barre, Washington Co., ...N.R.R.
Bethel, Windsor Co., ...N.R.R.
Bolton, Chittenden Co., ...N.R.R.
Braintree, Orange Co., ...N.R.R.
Brandon, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Brattleborough, Windham Co., ...The "Iron Horse," on his way up and down the river, passes through this beautiful town several times a day, carrying life and prosperity to the business community.
Burlington, Chittenden Co., ...The railroads between Burlington and Boston will greatly enhance the value of the commerce of this place; and at no distant day Burlington will become an important depot for the commerce of Boston as well as of New York.
Charlotte, Chittenden Co., ...N.R.R.
Chester, Windsor Co., ...S.R.R.
Clarendon, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Dummerston, Windham Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Essex, Chittenden Co., ...N.R.R.
Fairlee, Orange Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Georgia, Franklin Co., ...B.&M.R.R.
Grafton, Windham Co., ...S.R.R.
Hartford, Windsor Co., ...N.R.R., and C.R.R.R.
Hartland, Windsor Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Hinesburgh, Chittenden Co., ...S.R.R.
Leicester, Apison Co., ...S.R.R.
Lyndon, Caledonia Co., ...Railroad to Montreal
Mendon, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Miplesex, Washington Co., ...N.R.R.
Milton, Chittenden Co., ...B.&M.R.R.
Monkton, Apison Co., ...N.R.R.
Montpelier, Washington Co., ...The Iron Horse paid his first visit to this beautiful mountain town in the autumn of 1848, and is determined to press his course northward in the most amicable manner, to induce the Canadians to make the Atlantic shores of new England the deposit of a large share of their great and increasing commerce.
Newbury, Orange Co., C.R.R.R.
Northfield, Washington Co., ...N.R.R.
Norwich, Windsor Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Pittsford, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Pomfret, WIndsor Co., ...N.R.R.
Putney, Windham Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Randolph, Orange Co., ...N.R.R.
Rochester, Windsor Co., ...S.R.R., C.R.R.R. and Su.R.R.
Royalton, Windsor Co., ...N.R.R.
Rutland, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Ryegate, Caledonia Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Sharon, Windsor Co., ...N.R.R.
Shelburne, Chittenden Co., ...S.R.R.
Springfield, Windsor Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Thetford, Orange Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Vergennes, Apison Co., ...S.R.R.
Vernon, Windham Co., ...C.R.R.R.
Wallingford, Rutland Co., ...S.R.R.
Waterbury, Washington Co., ...N.R.R.
Windsor, Windsor Co., ...Central R.R.
This listing does not include towns described as "near," "in the vicinity," "across the river from," or "adjoining town of," which greatly increases the number of towns having access to the railroad at this time.
Although the names changed in the next decade, the major areas of development did not, so by the beginning of the Civil War, rail service in Vermont looked like this:
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1 - Vermont and Canada 2 - Connecticut & Passumpsic River 3 - Vermont Central 4 - Rutland & Burlington |
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5 - Vermont Valley 6 - Sullivan 7 - Bennington & Rutland 8 - Grand Trunk |
Even to the casual viewer, its obvious from this crude map that almost all railroads lead to Brattleboro, the one exception being the Bennington & Rutland Railroad. Hence Brattleboro was the logical place to mount up and deploy the majority of units that Vermont sent to the seat of war, Washington, D.C.
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"In early times, the merchants, and others who had occasion to visit New York City, proceeded on horseback to Troy, and thence by sloop down the Hudson. Goods were freighted from New York to Troy by sloop, forwarded by wagons to Whitehall, and thence by sailing vessels to St. Albans Bay." (Child, Franklin County, 30). Although Vermont was a bit slow in getting started in the railroad business, not until 1849 was a railroad line completed in the Green Mountain State, by 1861 the majority of the states populated areas were served by some type of rail service. |  Civil War-era Locomotive. |
1st Infantry Regiment
"The regiment was mustered into the United States service (at Rutland) on the 8th day of May, by Lieutenant Colonel Rains of the Regular Army, and under orders from General Scott took its departure the next morning for Fortress Monroe, Virginia... At Troy the Vermonters were received in a royal manner and were apressed by General Wool of the regular army. The march from the railroad depot in New York city down Broadway, was an event never to be forgotten by those who took part in it... The regiment left New York at five o'clock p. m., May 11th, on board the steamer 'Alabama' and landed at Fortress Monroe on the 13th, the delay being occasioned by the fact that the rebels had extinguished the lights at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay." (Peck, ???).
2nd Infantry Regiment
"June 24 (1861), it left Burlington for Washington, where it arrived on the 26th. While in New York...it was presented with a stand of State colors. On arriving at Washington, it went into camp on Capitol Hill, where it remained until July 10." (Peck, ???)
"A large train with twenty-four cars transported the 2nd Vermont regiment to Troy, New York...and went on to New York City...Philadelphia...Baltimore...finally reaching Washington, D.C., and camped just east of the capital." (Parsons, 2).
3rd Infantry Regiment
"July 22, 1861, news of a progressing battle at the front was in the air, and in two days after the regiment was on its way to Washington. the hospitable and patriotic people of St. Johnsbury bade them God speed, and acclaims of joy greeted them as the 882 officers and men passed through the cities and large towns on their way thither.
Presented with a beautiful banner at Hartford, Conn., by the sons of Vermont of that city, and joined there by Col. W. F. Smith, it marched on board the "Elm City" at New Haven, partook of the hospitalities of the good people of Philadelphia the night of the 25th, arrived in Washington the next morning." (Peck, ???)
4th Infantry Regiment
"The regiment was mustered in at Brattleboro, September 20, 1861, started for Washington next day, and in five days joined the other Vermont troops then in Virginia, at Camp Advance." (Peck, ???)
5th Infantry Regiment
The regiment was mustered into the United States service for three years at St. Albans, Vt., Sept. 16, 1861, and in a few days went to Washington and camped on Meridian Hill." (Peck, ???)
6th Infantry Regiment
"On Saturday, October 19, only thirty-three days after the Governor's call for volunteers, the regiment was en route to the front. Reaching Washington on the 22d, the regiment two days later marched to Camp Griffin near Lewinsville, Va." (Peck, ???)
7th Infantry Regiment
"On the 10th of March, 1862, the Seventh left Rutland for New York City, where it embarked on two old-fashioned sailing ships, ill adapted for the transportation of troops, with sealed orders to proceed to sea. Upon opening the orders, it was learned that the destination of the regiment was Ship Island, Miss. The voyage occupied upwards of three weeks, and was very uncomfortable and trying, owing to the heavy March gales which prevailed throughout the passage." (Peck, ???)
8th Infantry Regiment
"The regiment was in mid-winter quarters at Camp Holbrook, christened for Governor Holbrook, at Brattleboro, until the 4th of March...On the 4th of March the regiment and battery left for New York, and on the 9th of March left New York on the ships "Wallace" and "James Hovey," with sealed orders, which, on being opened at sea, directed the troops to report to General Phelps at Ship Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, which, after a rough passage, was reached on the 5th of April." (Peck, ???)
9th Infantry Regiment
"Six days after the regiment was mustered, July 15, it started for Washington...The short time required to recruit and organize the regiment, with the superior order of men in its ranks, attracted great attention on the route from the Green Mountains to Philadelphia, and admiring crowds gathered around it and line the streets and housetops on its march from Madison Square to the Battery in New York City...The trip from Jersey City to Baltimore was uneventful, but at the latter city treason was rampant, and the streets were filled with a rough, scowling mass of men, who, by look and speech, indicated their resentment and desire for mischief...(however) no assault was made, and Washington was reached in the night." (Peck, ???)
10th Infantry Regiment
"Mustered into the U. S. service September 1, 1862, the regiment left Brattleboro on the 6th, reaching Washington on the 8th." (Peck, ???)
11th Infantry Regiment
"We left Brattleboro, as we expected, Sunday morning, about ten. Went on nicely to Springfield, and there we found a house across the track, and a road had to be built around it. Detained us some two hours, which the good people of Springfield improved by introducing all the liquor possible into the cars. . .We got to New Haven about six, and embarked in an hour on the steamer Continental - a splendid boat, one of the best running. . . . Morning found us in Jersey City. We got in about three, had breakfast, and got away by eight. There was a Mass. Regiment came from Pittsfield down the Hudson in the Oregon, which got away just after us, and met an accident on the way. A train ran into them and killed three, injuring many. A New York regiment which got here just behind us broke down near Annapolis Junction, nearly killing a Capt. and injuring others. We had a safe and very pleasant trip on the whole. We spent from one to seven p.m. in Philadelphia. Peaches were freely distributed through the cars before we crossed the ferry, and the regiment was fed, as all are, in the city - and very well too. From here the boys had freight cars to ride in, which we did not like so well of course. Our Co., however, had passenger cars to Baltimore, because there were not enough cattle cars to go around. We left P(hiladelphia) about 7 p.m. and were twelve hours going to Baltimore, 90 miles. I slept some through the night and felt well in the morning. Had to march a mile and a half in both P(hiladelphia) and B(altimore), and it was hot in Philadelphia. We had breakfast in Baltimore and came on very slowly, reaching Washington about six Tuesday afternoon." (Walker)
12th Infantry Regiment
"The regiment went into camp at Brattleboro September 25, 1862; was mustered into the United States service October 4, with nine hundred ninety-six officers and men; left for the field October 7, and went into camp on Capitol Hill, Washington, October 10." (Peck, ???)
13th Infantry Regiment
"It was a long line of cars up and down the track, two engines attached waiting the signal to start. On either side of the long train from end to end stood the citizens of Brattleboro, Gov. Holbrook and Staff, the escort from Camp Lincoln, and our relatives and friends soon to return home and all busy in earnest conversation, handkerchiefs in hand ready to wave the last good-by.
Colonels Randall and Brown passed up and down on both sides of the train to see if everything was in readiness to move on. Our Colonel ever vigilant for the comfort and welfare of his boys had ere this commanded our love and respect and him we cheered as he passed to and fro.
In him our confidence we felt was not misplaced, nor did we believe it would ever be shaken. Colonel Randall when fully satisfied all was ready, walked up to the Governor, saluted and reported. They clasped hands, and then the Colonel waved his hand to the Conductor, the whistle blew, the cars moved and then the cheers loud and long from the assembled multitude filled the air and resounded up and down the valley. The waving of hands and handkerchiefs seems the spontaneous action of all, and as far as we could see, the white handkerchiefs were still fluttering in the breeze as we passed down the valley out of sight on our way to New Haven.
We soon crossed the boundary line and were in the State of Massachusetts... on our way to New Haven. We made brief stops at Vernon, Northfield, Deerfield and North Hampden... We next arrived at the thriving villages of Holyoke and Chicopee... Our first stop when permitted to leave the cars was at the city of Springfield, and here we remained for some twenty minutes or more... We soon reached Hartford, Conn., only a brief stop and on we went down the valley passing through Mipletown and arriving at New Haven about eleven o'clock, tired and sleepy. We were required to remain in the cars until the boat for New York was ready, and a little after mid-night we marched on board the steamboat and were soon on our way to the metropolis of the United States, the great city that we know of, but few had ever seen. (Sturtevant, 63)
14th Infantry Regiment
"The regiment went into camp at Brattleboro, October 6, 1862, and was mustered into the United States service, October 21, and left next day for Washington, D. C., nine hundred fifty-two strong." (Peck, ???)
15th Infantry Regiment
"The Fifteenth regiment was organized September 26, 1862; went into barracks at Brattleboro October 8; was mustered into service October 22; started for Washington October 23, and arrived on the morning of the 26th, in a drenching rain." (Peck, ???)
16th Infantry Regiment
"The regiment left Brattleboro for the seat of war on the 24th of October, 1862, by way of New Haven, Connecticut, over the Sound Line of Steamers to New York, thence to Port Monmouth by boat, and then by rail the balance of the way to Washington, where it arrived on the morning of October 27." (Peck, ???)
17th Infantry Regiment
"The first detachment, a battalion of seven companies, left Burlington April 18, 1864, under Lieut.-Col. Charles Cummings, who had served with credit in the same rank in the Sixteenth regiment... It reached Alexandria, Virginia, April 22." (Peck, ???)
1st Cavalry Regiment
"The Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, November 19, 1861, and started for Washington on the 14th of the next month, requiring for the journey one hundred and fifty-three cars, made up into a train of five sections." (Peck, ???)
Sources:
Hayward, John. "A Gazetteer of Vermont: containing descriptions of all the counties, towns and districts in the state, and of its pricincipal mountains, rivers, waterfalls, harbors, islands, and curious places, to which are aped, Statistical accounts of its agriculture, commerce and manufactures; with a great variety of other useful information." Boston: Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason, 1849.
Meeks, Harold A. "Time and Change in Vermont: A Human Geography." Chester, CT: The Globe Pequot Press. 1986.
Peck, T. S. "Vermont Volunteers and Lists of Vermonters who served in the Army and Navy of the U.S. during the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866. Revised Roster." Montpelier: Watchman, 1892. 863 pp.
Sturtevant, Ralph Orson. "Pictorial History: Thirteenth Vermont Volunteers, War of 1861-1865." Privately published, 1910.
Letter written to his parents, from Camp Lincoln, Washington, D.C., Thursday, 11 Sep 1862, by Lieutenant Aldace F. Walker, Co. B, 11th Infantry Regiment. From the "Walker Collection," © 1998 by Mrs. Frank H. (Rhoda Walker) Teale, and used with permission.
