Roswell Farnham Correspondence
Collection Overview
An 1849 graduate of the University of Vermont, Farnham taught school in lower Canada and northern Vermont while studying law. He was admitted to the Orange County Bar in 1857 and began a private practice. Farnham was commissioned from Bradford on May 1, 1861 as a 2nd lietenant in Co.D, 1st Vt. Infantry and mustered out August 15, 1861. He was later commissioned as a lieutenant colonel of the 12 Vt. on September 19, 1862. After returning to Vermont, Farnham was elected to the Vermont State Senate in 1868 and elected governor in 1880.
The collection includes letters to family and friends during Farnham's service in the First and Twelfth Vermont Infantry regiments. The letters contain detailed descriptions of regimental activities, including a narrative of the Battle of Big Bethel, camp life at Wolf Run Shoals in Virginia, and the hard march to Gettysburg in June 1863. Some sketches and maps are included.
Also included are four letters from Sergeant (later First Lieutenant) Ezekiel T. Johnson (Tenth Vermont Infantry) of Windsor, Vermont, three written from Camp Washburn, Brattleboro, where his regiment was mustered into U.S. service, and one (June 13, 1863) from White's Ford, Maryland, giving an account of a cavalry skirmish. A letter (May 31, 1863) to Mrs. Mary Farnham from Private Nelson J. Rogers (Twelfth Vermont Infantry) describes regimental activities and the Confederate attack on a train near the camp of the Twelfth Vermont.
Time Period Covered: May 24, 1861 - August 15, 1861
Parent Collections
Related Archival Collection(s)
Published: March 10, 2011, University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Center for Digital Initiatives
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to the UVM Libraries' Center for Digital Initiatives at cdi@uvm.edu. For more information, see http://cdi.uvm.edu/about/rights. More information.
Browse Options
Creator(s)
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [64]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [31]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [19]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [15]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [7]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [5]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [3]
- Military camps -- Vermont [2]
- Military camps -- Maryland [1]
Format(s)
- text [64]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [64]
Topic(s)
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [56]
- United StatesArmy Military life [23]
- Families of military personnel [16]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [11]
- Morale [10]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1863) [4]
- Marching [3]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [3]
- Postal service [3]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [3]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [2]
- Intrenchments [2]
- Military discipline [2]
- Slavery [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Women in war [2]
- Battle casualties [1]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Freedmen [1]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [1]
- Fugitive slaves [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Love-letters [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Picketing [1]
- Prisoners of war [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- War Psychological aspects [1]
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Browsing by:
Recipient: ("Farnham, Mary")
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham15_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the food that the soldiers eat, and that pilfering from local farms--even "secessionist"--is forbidden. Farnham assures his wife that newspaper reports of the war are highly exaggerated. A rebel attack is unlikely before they return to Vt. A German scouting party caused a stir with an accidental gun discharge. Col. Phelps assigns Farnham a camp security position--provost marshall. One concern is the slaves that have just left their masters, who arrive at Ft. Monroe with food to sell but may also be spies. The able-bodied are put to work; all others are considered for deportation to Liberia. Names: Officers Phelps, Peckett; Everett Shaw.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham22_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the duties of Provost Marshall, including the reception of runaway slaves. Mentions alerts for battle and false alarms; and illness within the regiment.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham23_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the expected fight at Little Bethel and the battle at Great Bethel, where fewer than fifty men were killed on the Union side. Mentions German Regiment (Col. Bendix) and Duryea's Zouaves. Description of "friendly fire" incident. Excursion proved to be the most exhausting so far.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham26_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-20
Resource type: correspondence
June 20, 1861. Topics include setting rumors straight. Farnham assures his wife that his chances of being killed are minimal. Notes that his provost marshal duties have lessened, possibly because fewer "negroes" are arriving, for fear that the North won't succeed! Reference to Dan Johnson and his rumors; also the secret why he returned home. Compliments for Capt. Andross, again, during Battle of Big (or Great) Bethel.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham29_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include: gratitude among the men for gifts of food (incl. maple sugar) and other "luxuries"; Major Worthen's scouting expedition, which led to a small skirmish and some casualties among some St. Albans and Swanton soldiers; press inaccuracies; life at camp; how he misses his books and reading; other domestic matters.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham34_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-25
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include monotony of camp life, the warm weather, and rumors around camp that an attack is imminent. Farnham assures wife that rebels would need a large army to attack them so close to Fort Monroe.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham35_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an account of the sick, the return of Parker of the Woodstock Company from enemy prison, and asking Mrs. Farnham to save newspapers.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham39_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include further description of the 4th of July.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham40_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include an encounter between the Zouaves and Rebels, flap-jacks and doughnuts in camp, an African-American prisoner by the name of Joe Wilson, the probability of not engaging in a fight, and the bugs and mosquitoes at camp.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham45_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-17
Resource type: correspondence
Writes from Camp Butler, Fort Monroe, Va. of camp life including flea bites, of family matters, his sister Laura's earache, wife Mary's health, gives a detailed description of the soldiers experience going out at night with five other companies (Northfield of his regiment and four companies of the Scott Life Guard of New York 4th) under the command of Lt. Col. McGregor.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham46_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-19
Resource type: correspondence
July 19, 1861. Writes from Camp Butler, Newport News, Va. of family matters, fleas and mosquitoes at camp, salt baths, mentions Lt. Peckett, Maj. Worthen, Adj of NY 4th Henricus, of riding out into the country to call on two houses, observations about the owners' slaves.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham47_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-21
Resource type: correspondence
July 21, 1861. Topics include Roswell urging his wife Mary to get a nurse to take care of her, of Laura's ear problem may be getting better, of his pleasure to hear of his nomination.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham51_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-26
Resource type: correspondence
July 26, 1861. Writes from Camp Butler in Newport News, Va. of contraband (seven children), of sending 12 Negroes (7 of them children) to the Fort, of a fight and march to Yorktown and the health of his wife Mary.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham52_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-29
Resource type: correspondence
July 29, 1861. Topics include a flag of truce coming into the fort in order to collect baggage of Rebels Mr. Shurtliff (an artist) and Captain Jenkins who were taken prisoner, mentions the names of several ships (Dale, Monticello, Penguin, Hope).
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham24_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the battle the previous Monday and the death of George Lougee from Vershire, Vermont. Farnham concerned that some of his letters may be misinterpreted and printed (presumably in the local press). Mentions Col. Phelps's anxiety, imminent court-martial of Mass. general, and some of the hardships of the campaign.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham30_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-19
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include his concern about anxiety at home after the Battle of Big Bethel; Farnham's desire to save his letters; domestic financial affairs; names of men in the hospital, and one death (Ph. Lougee); Maj. Worthen has a servant, a young black boy named Pompey Wind.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham38_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the celebration of the 4th of July and the health of Farnham and his comrades..
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham42_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include encounter between Hawkins Regiment and a company of Rebels, Roswell's desire to "go out whenthe company goes," despite his wife's complaining. Also the weather, camp life, Roswell's eagerness to return home, and an article in the Telegraph titled "Pipes, Tobacco, and Whiskey" are discussed.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham43_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Roswell inviting his wife to visit him, the predicted length of the war, and a elaborate dinner.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham49_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-21
Resource type: correspondence
July 21, 1861. Topics include Farnham's anticipation to return home to his wife Mary, his urging again that Mary get someone to stay with her, of minor illnesses among the men and the politics of the company mentioning Peckett, Andross and Stearns.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham50_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-23
Resource type: correspondence
July 23, 1861. Topics include disastrous news from Manassas Junction that will delay the departure for home, death of a soldier named Whitney from Woodstock who left the troops with Lt. Becker but without being given leave by the Colonel, and terrible rain storms.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham55_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-08-02
Resource type: correspondence
August 2, 1861. Topics include Roswell telling his wife of the delay for the departure home, another description of Fort Monroe and Hygeia Hotel on Old Point Comfort similar to one written in the July 31 letter, of the incident of shooting of a drunken soldier, of the drunken condition of the 1st N Y regiment.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham56_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-08-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Roswell informing his wife that the Regiment will be departing for home on Monday, August 5th, 1861, of searching for, finding and smashing illegal casks of liquor, of a woman and two children being returned to the enemy under a flag of truce.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham58_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the journey home and awaiting the paymaster before finally going home, concerns for his wife's health, the men refusing to drill or do any other military duty. Writes from Camp Phelps, Brattleboro.
![Thumbnail: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham62_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-08-15
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the delay of setting out for home and paying out the men in the Regiment, $58.000 in gold having arrived by express,his health remain good, concerns for his wife's health, mentions Col. Phelps now having been promoted to Gen.
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