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...
Show moreAn 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.
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(1 - 7 of 7)
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- Asa P. Blunt to Roswell Farnham
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Topics include a pass allowing Roswell Farnham to and from Washington D.C.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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Topics include the continued improvement of Roswell Farnham’s foot injury and orders to march the next day.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include performing several hours of battalion drills and reviews, rumors that the regiment will remain in Washington through the winter, and inquiries about the people at home.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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Topics include the improvement of Roswell Farnham’s foot injury and money issues at home.
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- Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include the improvement of Roswell Farnham’s foot injury, the cold weather at camp, and the number of regiments joining the camp.
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- Roswell Farnham to Laura
- Description
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Topics include the accommodations in camp, Roswell Farnham’s health, and Roswell Farnham teaching the commissioned officers of the right wing.
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- Roswell Farnham to Mary [Farnham]
- Description
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Topics include buying necessities for camp, the movement of the regiments around them, and the anticipation of several hours of battalion drills.