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.
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Creator(s)
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [144]
- Blunt, Asa P. [6]
- Farnham, Mary E. [4]
- Leffnis, N. S. [2]
- Mason, E. P. [2]
- Butler, Benjamin F. [1]
- Heintzleman, S. P. [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Johnson, E. T. [1]
- Legar, Joseph [1]
Recipient(s)
- Farnham, Mary [102]
- Harding, C. H. [7]
- Farnham, Roswell, 1827-1903 [5]
- Blunt, Asa P. [3]
- Phelps, John Wolcott [2]
- Hill, W. H. [1]
- Holbrook, Frederick [1]
- Mason, E. [1]
- Stoughton, Edwin H. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [65]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [32]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [25]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [12]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Women [12]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns [8]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Social aspects [8]
- Military camps -- Washington (D.C.) [7]
- Military camps -- Maryland [4]
- Military camps -- Vermont [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties [4]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Destruction and pillage [3]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- African Americans [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military reconnaissance [2]
- Secession -- Southern States [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Songs and music [1]
Format(s)
- text [177]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [177]
Topic(s)
- Farnham, Roswell1827-1903 [91]
- Families of military personnel [48]
- United StatesArmy Military life [44]
- Armed Forces Officers [27]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 12th (1862-1863) [23]
- Confederate States of AmericaArmy [10]
- Diseases [10]
- Drill and minor tactics [10]
- Battle casualties [9]
- Picketing [9]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 1st (1861-1865) [9]
- Food [7]
- Gettysburg Campaign, 1863 [6]
- Prisoners of war [6]
- Soldiers Alcohol use [6]
- Hooker, Joseph1814-1879 [5]
- Military leaves and furloughs [5]
- Photographs [5]
- Big Bethel, Battle of, Va., 1861 [4]
- Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 [4]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [4]
- Postal service [4]
- Stannard, George Jerrison1820-1886 [4]
- Intrenchments [3]
- Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward)1807-1870 Assassination [3]
- Love-letters [3]
- Military pay [3]
- Mosby, John Singleton1833-1916 [3]
- Newspapers [3]
- Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861 [2]
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry United States [2]
- Fraternization [2]
- Freedmen [2]
- Friendly fire (Military science) [2]
- Fugitive slaves [2]
- Guerrilla warfare [2]
- Military discharge [2]
- Military discipline [2]
- Military hospitals [2]
- Patriotism [2]
- Pillage [2]
- Promotions, Military [2]
- Skirmishing [2]
- Slavery [2]
- Sutlers [2]
- War Psychological aspects [2]
- War casualties [2]
- Women in war [2]
- African Americans Social conditions [1]
- Brandy Station, Battle of, Brandy Station, Va., 1863 [1]
- Bull Run, 2nd Battle of, Va., 1862 [1]
- Copperhead movement [1]
- Desertion, Military [1]
- Hardtack [1]
- Holbrook, Frederickt1813-1909 [1]
- Homesickness [1]
- Jackson, Stonewall1824-1863 [1]
- Meade, George Gordon1815-1872 [1]
- Medicine, Military [1]
- Military maneuvers [1]
- Mitchell, Maggie1837-1918 [1]
- Pleasanton, A. J. (Alfred J.)1824-1897 [1]
- Prisoner-of-war escapes [1]
- Railroad trains [1]
- Recruiting and enlistment [1]
- Shooters of firearms [1]
- Slaves [1]
- Stuart, Jeb1833-1864 [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Brigade, 2nd (1862-1863) [1]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 15th (1862-1863) [1]
- VermontAdjutant and Inspector General's Office [1]
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Title: ? to Father
Date: 1863-02-26
Resource type: correspondence
Unsigned letter to his father with topics including Col Farnham's horses being sick but getting better ; the variable weather, how people can make do with few conveniences, Mr. Peach the cook, the food that is available in camp ; the dark looks the southerners give the soldiers, his negative opinion of the white southerners, mentioning writing to Henry, Laura and hoping to see Zeke.
Title: Asa P. Blunt
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1863-02-12
Resource type: correspondence
A pass for Lt. Col. Roswell Farnham, G. G. Benedict, and Mary Farnham to go to Washington signed by Asa P. Blunt, Col. Commanding at Wolf Run Shoals, Va.
Title: Asa P. Blunt
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1863-04-06
Resource type: correspondence
A pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington to return in 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commanding 2nd Brigade Casey's Division.
Title: Asa P. Blunt
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1863-04-11
Resource type: correspondence
A pass for Mary Farnham, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Vaughan, and Mrs. Peach to go to Washington.
Title: Asa P. Blunt
Creator: Blunt, Asa P.
Date: 1863-04-15
Resource type: correspondence
Pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Washington for 48 hours approved by Asa P. Blunt, Colonel Commander of Brigade ; extended 48 hours by Maj. Genl. Heintzelman.
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.
Title: Conductors Will Pass Free
Date: 1864-02-26
Resource type: correspondence
A railroad military pass for Col. Roswell Farnham allowing passage from Alexandria (Va.) to Brandy (maybe, Brandy, Va.)
![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: Edwin H. Stoughton to Roswell Farnham
Creator: Stoughton, Edwin H.
Date: 1863-01-12
Resource type: correspondence
A brief communication from Brig. Gen. Stoughton to Farnham informing Farnham to withdraw the five (5) Companies and report to his Regiment at once.
Title: F. V. Randall
Creator: Randall, F. V.
Date: 1863-03-11
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include a pass for Roswell Farnham to go to Alexandria and return in 48 hours.
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: Mary E. Farnham to Henry
Creator: Farnham, Mary E.
Date: 1863-01-27
Resource type: correspondence
Mary Farnham writes from Wolf Shoals Creek, Va. on the Occoquan River to brother Henry about desserts and other food the troops are enjoying eating, her instructions for food to be sent to brother Zeke in the 10th Regiment, terrible traveling conditions due to deep muddy roads, horses having to be walked, she riding with other officers' wives, and her feeling uncomfortable with the looks of the Southerns (Secesh)
Title: Mary E. Farnham to Henry
Creator: Farnham, Mary E.
Date: 1863-03-19
Resource type: correspondence
From Mary Farnham to Henry topics include letters received and responded to, military action among the men, pickets and taking of Rebel soldiers, fighting engagement at Kelly’s Ford, her thoughts on the unhealthy environment she is in, the varying degrees of health or illness of the men in camp, her horse ride even though the weather has been inclement, her comments on what the military trained horses will do, the ill health and death of some horses.
Title: Mary E. Farnham to Laura
Creator: Farnham, Mary E.
Date: 1863-02-17
Resource type: correspondence
From Mary Farnham to sister Laura with topics including a detailed description of Mary Farnham’s visit to camp, a visit to Washington visiting the Capitol & Senate buildings ; Farnham's horses sick with horse distemper, one of them being Burnie ; Mary's discomfort traveling in the ambulance ; her embarrassing slip and fall in the ambulance ; her horse ride back ; the good health of the regiment ; weight gain of Lt. Herrick ; her affection for horse Jenny.
![Thumbnail: Mary [E. Farnham] to Henry](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmfarnham121_01-thumb.jpg)
Title: Mary [E. Farnham] to Henry
Creator: [Farnham], Mary
Date: 1863-02-28
Resource type: correspondence
Letter from Mary to brother Henry carries a demanding tone of an older sibling to a younger one ; topics include inquiring about Henry’s examinations, her plan to stay at camp until June, responding to Henry's remarks about her being in camp saying several of the officers' wives are also in camp, the sick men in the regiment, and Mary demanding to know who thinks Mary should return home suggesting someone thinks it may not be appropriate for a woman (according the social norm of the day) to be in a military camp.
Title: Miscellaneous
Creator: Phelps, John Wolcott
Resource type: correspondence
Permission for "the Negro Dawson Speedley" to leave camp. Signed by Col. Phelps.
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