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)
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [85]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Leffnis, N. S. [2]
- Mason, E. P. [2]
- Butler, Benjamin F. [1]
- Farnham, Mary E. [1]
- Heintzleman, S. P. [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Johnson, E. T. [1]
- Legar, Joseph [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [64]
- Harding, C. H. [7]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [4]
- Blunt, Asa P. [2]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [2]
- Mason, E. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [46]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [32]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [25]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [12]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [7]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [5]
- Military camps -- Vermont [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [2]
Format(s)
- text [102]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [102]
Topic(s)
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [88]
- United StatesArmy Military life [32]
- Families of military personnel [20]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861) [17]
- African Americans [12]
- Armed Forces Officers [5]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [4]
- Diseases [4]
- Postal service [4]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [4]
- Intrenchments [3]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [3]
- Prisoners of war [3]
- Battle casualties [2]
- Freedmen [2]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [2]
- Fugitive slaves [2]
- Military discipline [2]
- Patriotism [2]
- Pillage [2]
- Slavery [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Women in war [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Fraternization [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Love-letters [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military hospitals [1]
- Military leaves and furloughs [1]
- Picketing [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Sutlers [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 2nd (1862-1863) [1]
- VermontAdjutant and Inspector General's Office [1]
- War Psychological aspects [1]
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Title: Asa P. Blunt to E. Mason
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the questioning of G. Mason’s loyalty to the United States government by Col. Blunt, denial of protection Mason has requested, the suggestion that Mason take the oath of allegiance to the U.S. or suffer the consequences of possible destruction of property.
Title: Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1862-10-13
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass allowing Roswell Farnham to and from Washington D.C.
Title: Battle of Big Bethal, Va June 10th, 1861
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a map that shows various maneuvers of Farnham's company; inaccuracies in the newspaper account of the Battle of Big Bethel; and various ailments, aches & pains endured during the march.
Title: Benjamin F. Butler to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Butler, Benjamin F.
Date: 1861-07-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the summoning of Roys Nicholas Colbert and Charles Stepheny to Command General Benjamin F. Butler.
![Thumbnail: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham84_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
Creator: Mason, E. P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include E. P. Mason asking Roswell Farnham for his help in protecting his sick family.
![Thumbnail: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham86_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. P. Mason to [Asa P.] Blunt
Creator: Mason, E. P.
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include G. Mason stationed in Spring Bank Virginia requesting of Col. Blunt that guards be stationed around his house and wood pile for protection.
![Thumbnail: E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham64_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: E. T. Johnson to Mary [Farnham]
Creator: Johnson, E. T.
Date: 1862-10-03
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include several companies camping on the riverbank in Maryland, Jackson’s army assembling in Leasburg, and preparing to march most likely to Edwards Ferry.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-12-02
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham receives a brief letter from Governor Frederick Holbrook of Vermont writing from Montpelier of Farnham's concerns about soldier vacancies in the Vermont regiments and the method to fill them. Mentions Col. Proctor.
Title: George Prichard, C. C. P. Baldwin, and R. C. Johnson to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Prichard, George; Baldwin, C. C. P.; and Johnson
Date: 1862-10-04
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the presentation of a horse to Roswell Farnham because of his patriotism.
Title: Joseph Legar to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Legar, Joseph
Date: 1861-06-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include trying to save Isaac Jones' property.
Title: Mary E. Farnham to Henry
Creator: Farnham, Mary E.
Date: 1862-12-24
Resource type: correspondence
Mary Farnham writes from near Fairfax Court House in Virginia to her brother, Henry, of soldiers being taken prisoners, of the wounded, of casualties, of checking rabbit traps for food. She mentions the weather, of her tour of camp, of sickness among the troops, of her excellent dinner at camp with Mrs. Blunt, Mrs. Stearns and others, and writes of family back home.
Title: Miscellaneous
Creator: Phelps, John Wolcott
Resource type: correspondence
Permission for "the Negro Dawson Speedley" to leave camp. Signed by Col. Phelps.
Title: N. S. Leffnis
Creator: Leffnis, N. S.
Date: 1862-12-16
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass instructing guards to allow Mrs. Blunt and Mrs. Mary Farnham to cross Long Bridge and enter camp of the 12th Vermont Volunteers by order of General Casey .
Title: N. S. Leffnis to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Leffnis, N. S.
Date: 1862-11-21
Resource type: correspondence
Orders to guards to allow Roswell Farnham to travel to and from Washington and Alexandria via Long Bridge by order of General Casey ; N.S. Jeffries, Assist. Adjt. General.
Title: Report
Date: 1862-12-15
Resource type: correspondence
Pass for Roswell Farnham to return from Washington to the 12th Vermont Volunteers camp by order of Col. A. P. Blunt and approved by Brig Genl E. H. Stoughton and Geo W. Hooker.
Title: Report
Date: 1862-12-12
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass allowing Col. Roswell Farnham of the 12th Vermont Volunteers to travel to Washington D.C. as approved by Col. Asa P. Blunt and Brig. Genl S. H. Stoughton.
Title: Report of property found in the several companies of the 1st Vermont Regiment…
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-24
Resource type: correspondence
List compiled by Farnham of items found or stolen from citizens by soldiers during a campaign.
Title: Roswell Farnham to ?
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-09-22
Resource type: correspondence
A special order for the Twelfth Regiments to report to Brattleboro.
Title: Roswell Farnham to C. H. Harding
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-05-07
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham's regiment in Rutland gets the news that they are to leave for Fort Monroe, Va., via rail car and then boat. News of the deployment raises morale; the men are ready for a good fight (recurring theme in Farnham's letters).
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-12-14
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes to his sister, Laura, about the regiment moving to a new camp near Fairfax Courthouse (Fairfax, Virginia), the arrival of Mary Farnham and Mrs. Blunt, the movement of General Sigel and his 20 to 40,000 troops, and reference to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Dec 11-15).
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1862-12-31
Resource type: correspondence
Farnham writes from Camp Vermont near Fairfax Court House, Va. to his sister, Laura, of rebel threatening, of military action with the rebels, of Col. Stoughton's entry into the rebel camp, of wife Mary's reaction to gunfire, of Jackson and his 12,000 men on the march maybe to Harper's Ferry.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-09
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Laura's earache and the proximity of Newport News to the enemy.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-07-31
Resource type: correspondence
July 31, 1861. Topics include a description of Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort in reference to the letter head picture, of the Hygeia Hotel currently be used as a hospital, of the houses once occupied by Southerners now housing officers of the army, of a minor attack by the Rebels upon picket guard but none hit, a captain in the 1st N.Y. Regiment shooting one of his men believed to be drunk.
Title: Roswell Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903
Date: 1861-06-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include two Louisiana Zouaves who were brought in by Col. Hawkins, accounts of their desertion and capture, rumors of an advancing Confederate force, and the anticipation of an enemy attack that never occurs. .
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