The Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 1861–1865

The many regiments that fought in the Civil War each had their own stories to tell about what they saw, smelled, tasted, heard and felt while serving in war. The Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment saw its first combat at the Battle of Bull Run and fought on to Lee’s surrender. This richly illustrated work draws from service, pension and court-martial records, and personal letters and diaries to portray the junior officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates of the regiment as they were in battle, on the march, and in camp. Some were heroes, like Private William W. Noyes, awarded the Medal of Honor, and others were not, like Private George E. Blowers, executed for desertion. A roster of the 1,858 men who served in the regiment is provided.

Paul G. Zeller is a retired United States Army Reserve colonel and he lives in Williamstown, Vermont.

Paul G. Zeller
Format: softcover (7 x 9.25)
Pages: 359
Bibliographic Info: 146 photos, maps, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009 [2002]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4345-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Preface      1
List of Maps      3

1. Off to Save the Union      5
2. The Disgraceful Affair at Bull Run      24
3. He Died a Hero      39
4. “A Dam Failure”      56
5. “The Awfullist Thing That Ever Was”      73
6. “The Greatest Battle Yet Fought”      92
7. “Another Good Defeat”      106
8. Covered with Glory      125
9. A Reprieve at Gettysburg      145
10. “A Wilderness of Woe”      163
11. “The Slaughter Pen”      185
12. Duty in the Shenandoah Valley      207
13. The End in Sight      230

Appendices     247
Notes      307
Bibliography      335
Index      341

“a worthy addition…readable and attractive…useful”—America’s Civil War; “skillfully blended…extremely readable…much detail…excellent…will be the basis upon which all future Vermont regimental histories are judged…very impressive”—Vermont in the Civil War; “highly recommend[ed]”—The Civil War News; “meant for reading and re-reading…this book is a must…highly recommended”—News & Citizen, (Morrisville, Vermont); “Zeller has crafted a compelling history that will interest readers largely unfamiliar with the Civil War, as well as Civil War scholars”—Vermont Sunday Magazine; “detailed account…author makes excellent use of soldiers’ diaries and letters…factual and straightforward…strikes a terrific balance between factual narrative and compelling reading…excellent resource for anyone doing research on the Civil War…recommended”—Colorado Libraries.