This Day in History: June 9

Jun 9, 2026

1863 — The Fate of Private Uz Cameron: During the Civil War, Private Uz Cameron, a 51-year-old soldier from the Northeast Kingdom, tragically lost his life. Serving with the Seventh Rhode Island, his regiment received orders in early June to reinforce General Grant’s Army at Vicksburg, Mississippi. On the night of June 9, packed aboard the steamer Dove, Cameron met his fate far from the green hills of Vermont. Northstar Monthly
1933 — Long Trail “Musketeers” Inspiration: On June 9, 1933, Irving Appleby—the first person to hike the entirety of Vermont’s Long Trail—sent an inspiring poem titled “Modern Girls” to hiker Marion Urie. The poem was dedicated to the “Three Musketeers,” the first all-female group to thru-hike the trail, heavily inspiring a generation of NEK and Vermont women to tackle the state’s rugged terrain. Green mountain Club
1984 — The Island Pond Legal Battle: On June 9, 1984, a critical turning point occurred in one of the NEK’s most controversial modern events. Amid growing state concerns over the treatment of children within the Northeast Kingdom Community Church in Island Pond, an Orleans County State’s Attorney bypassed typical channels to secure a judicial warrant to take the children into protective custody. While the Governor initially refused to execute it that day, the legal maneuvering set the stage for the famous federal and state raid just two weeks later. Vermont Community Newspaper Group

Key June Milestones in St. Johnsbury History

The Launch of the St. Johnsbury Caledonian (June 1837): June marks the anniversary era of the St. Johnsbury Caledonian (now the Caledonian Record), which began publishing in the first week of June 1837. For nearly two centuries, it has served as the definitive paper of record for Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties.
Drilling for the Civil War: Throughout June 1861, local volunteers swarmed the old St. Johnsbury Fairgrounds (located where I-91 and I-33 converge today). The Third Vermont Regiment officially utilized this site to drill, camp, and organize before marching south to join the Union Army.

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