April 15, 1861

Telegram: To His Excellency, Erastus Fairbanks, Governor of Vermont; Call made on you by tonight's mail for one regiment for immediate service. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War. (source: newspaper clipping of unknown origin)

April 19, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Enlisted for 3 months in the first Vt. regt. in co. with Channcey Stanley then he and I went up to Leicester, Vt. there was a meeting last night held in town hall for the purpose of enlisting men in answer to a call for 75,000 men by President Lincoln. (more)

April 27, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: I was sworn into U.S. service. (more)

April 28, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Sunday Whole Co. went to Cong. church. (more)

May 2, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Went in camp at Rutland Fairgrounds. (more)

May 3, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Quartered last night in Rutland Armory - 10 companies all under command of Col. John W. Phelps. To-day pitched tents on fair ground - I was told to do the cooking for the Co. That kind of work not suiting me I was relieved. (more)

May 8, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: To-day we were mustered into the service of the U.S. for 3 months. (more)

May 9, 1861

1st Regiment mustered in and departs for Fortress Monroe, Va. (Dyer)

May 9, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Broke camp - went aboard cars for New York disembarked both at Granville and at Troy, N.Y. Boys welcome to everything in city. It seemed to me that this had been one of the greatest days in my life, not having ever been away from Vermont before. (more)

May 10, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: We arrived at New York City at 8 a.m. and marched directly to City Hall all the way from depot down Broadway. The streets were jammed with people, flags and banners flying from every window and the crowd shouted themselves hoarse at the fine appearance of the 1st Vt. Regt. (more)

May 11, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: On board steamer Alabama - left for Fortress Monroe. It was a delightful trip down the Bay. To many of us it was the first time we had ever been in New York or on board an ocean steamer. (more)

May 12, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: (on board steamer Alabama) Many seasick. (more)

May 13, 1861

1st Regiment at Hygea Hotel, Fortress Monroe. (Dyer)

May 13, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Arrived Fort Monroe. (more)

May 18, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Quartered in Hygea Hotel. (more)

May 19, 1861

1st Regiment: 'About the hour of dress parade, on the 19th of May, there was great excitement among the troops at the fortress, occasioned by the first actual fighting that the Vermonters had seen. This was the attack on the steamer 'Monticello' upon the rebel battery at Sewell's Point, directly across Hampton Roads from Fortress Monroe and about two miles distant. The sound of the firing first attracted attention, and the smoke of every discharge could be distinctly seen. Adjutant Stevens became so interested that he neglected his duty at dress parade.' (Peck)

May 20, 1861

Benjamin Underwood of the Bradford company [Co. D, 1st Regiment], died of measles, or as Surgeon Sanborn reported it in a medical periodical, of nostalgia or home-sickness following measles from which he had begun to recover. This was the first death among the Vermont troops and caused a feeling of sadness throughout the regiment which was deepened by the impressive funeral ceremonies. His remains still lie in the little cemetery on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, where his comrades discharged the last volleys over his grave. William Flint noted the death his diary (Peck)

May 23, 1861

The first reconnoissance in force upon Virginia soil by the United States troops, was made by the 1st Regiment. Hiram Perkins to George Stannard: "I received an order from the Conl. to have all my men armed and ready to march at 3 o'clock..." William Flint: "When Rebs saw us coming they set fire to bridge. Col. Phelps rushed squad to bridge on double quick put out fire so we were able to cross." (Peck)

May 26, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: An alarm at camp a little east of Hampton village - shots exchanged - did not see enemy. (more)

May 27, 1861

1st Regiment participated in occupation of Newport News, Va. (Dyer)

May 27, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Struck camp and went by boat up James River to Newport News. My co. advance guard - went into camp in large wheat field. (more)

May 28, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Making entrenchments - responding to alarms-drilling (through June 15) (more)

June 9, 1861

A battalion of the 1st Regiment, with additional Massachusetts troops, under LTC Peter Washburn, advances on Big Bethel. (Dyer)

June 10, 1861

1st Regiment was engaged at Big Bethel. (see battles)

June 17, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Drills - work on camp - inspections (through June 30) (more)

June 22, 1861

Dana H. Whitney, Co. B (Woodstock Company), was killed by bushwhackers, at Newport News, Va., the first Vermonter to lose his life in the conflict. (Peck)

July 2, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Division inspected by Gen. B. F. Butler ordered out with Knapsacks on - stood in line 2 hrs in very hot sun. It was said that Gen. Butler's daughter who was with him said 'Trot them round again Papa,' she was so delighted with the review. (more)

July 3, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Drills - dress parades - inspection - guard duty - work on entrenchments - prayer meetings - police duty. (through August 4) (more)

August 4, 1861

1st Regiment 'embarked upon two steamers, 'Ben de Ford' and 'S. R. Spaulding,' and sailed directly to New Haven, where it took the cars for Brattleboro, arriving there late at night on the 7th.' (Peck)

August 5, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Struck tents on board steamer - left Newport News. (more)

August 6, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Arrived in New York - by rail to Brattleboro. (more)

August 15, 1861

1st Regiment mustered out, having lost 2 Enlisted men killed and 6 Enlisted men by disease. Total 8. (Dyer)

August 16, 1861

William H. Flint, 1st Infantry: Mustered out after being paid by U.S. paymaster. (more)