“Altho’ he had been with us less than a week and came among us a total stranger, unheard of before, he was loved by every man of his command. Many of our men sealed their devotion with life as he did–dying a soldier’s death, gallantly obeying an order, though he knew it to be a wrong one.”

Autograph letter signed by Dr. Ptolemy O’Meara Edson, Company S, 1st Vermont Cavalry. On picket near Amissville, Virginia, 28 July 1865. 8 pages, 8vo.
 
Written by Dr. Ptolemy O’Meara Edson to his sister, this lengthy letter recounts his experiences and observations at the Battle of Gettysburg. In vivid detail, he describes the danger he faced while attempting to establish a field hospital in a local hotel under Confederate fire, writing: “The first rebel shell passed into the house opposite and exploded... The second knocked off the chimney to which one of my men had just fastened the new hospital flag... The third fell within ten feet of me while I was getting a bucket of water from the pump in the back yard... fortunately it did not explode. So it was for ten minutes when the Director sent me out to hunt a more secure place.” His account offers a striking firsthand glimpse of the chaos and peril faced by medical officers working near the front lines during one of the war’s most pivotal engagements. 

Most intriguingly, Dr. Edson recounts the moments leading up to the fateful death of beloved Union general, Elon J. Farnsworth, caught in the middle of leadership strife between he and General Kilpatrick (1836-1881): “It was reported that the enemy was proposing to charge. To check them, Kilpatrick ordered our regiment to charge. Genl. Farnsworth protested against the charge. It was postponed, tho’ every many was in the saddle ready for the word. Again the order came and again Farnsworth protested, though two regiments had been ordered to join ours. Again was the charge deferred. Finally Lilpatrick[sic] said to Farnsworth “if you do not lead the charge immediately, I will lead the charge myself.” No reply could be made. The charge was ordered.” 

The charge would take place, a fateful final act for General Farnsworth, whose death would be recounted firsthand by Dr. Edson. 

    “After passing two stone walls our men began to falter, but looking ahead they saw Farnsworth, sabre gleaming in the sun, and, calling to one another, “COME ON! THE GENERAL IS AHEAD” they dashed on past a rail fence through the rebel line of battle up to the battery that had been troubling us all day, sabering the gunners as they stood by their guns. But there was no support…Genl. Farnsworth’s horse was killed–a trooper in Co.C dismounted and gave him his horse, but he had not gone far before he fell, pierced with five balls. Altho’ he had been with us less than a week and came among us a total stranger, unheard of before, he was loved by every man of his command. Many of our men sealed their devotion with life as he did–dying a soldier’s death, gallantly obeying an order, though he knew it to be a wrong one.” 
    
    Elon J. Farnsworth (1837 - 1863) served in the Army before the war. Joining in 1857 as a civilian forage master, he served on the staff of Albert Sidney Johnston during the Utah War. At the outbreak of hostilities in the Civil War, Elon's uncle, John F. Farnsworth, raised the 8th Illinois Cavalry and secured his nephew the rank of First Lieutenant. Known as "Farnsworth's Abolitionist Regiment" by President Lincoln, the 8th Illinois Cavalry was the only Illinois cavalry regiment to serve the entirety of the war in the Army of the Potomac. Elon was promoted to captain by the end of 1861 and later served as the Assistant Chief Quartermaster of the IV Corps. 
 
In early 1863, Elon was promoted as aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton during the Battle of Chancellorsville and the early Gettysburg Campaign. Once Pleasonton was given command of the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps, he gave Farnsworth command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division under him. 
 
After the failure of Pickett's Charge, General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, commander of the 3rd Division, ordered Farnsworth to make a charge with his brigade against positions held by the Confederates between Devil's Den and Little Round Top. Farnsworth, recognizing the low chance of success, initially refused, but ultimately accepted the mission when accused of cowardice by Kilpatrick. True to his assessment, Farnsworth's charge was disastrous, with heavy losses. Farnsworth himself was shot in the chest five times and died on the battlefield. 
 
Two days before Gettysburg, President Lincoln nominated Farnsworth to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers. The appointment, however, was never confirmed by the Senate before his demise. 
 
Ptolemy O’Meara Edson enlisted as an assistant surgeon in November 1861 and was commissioned into the Field and Staff of the 1st Vermont Cavalry, serving in that capacity until April 1864, when he was discharged for promotion. He was then commissioned surgeon of the 17th Vermont Infantry and served with that regiment until his discharge in February 1865.

An excellent letter detailing the gruesome casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the gallant death of General Elon J. Farnsworth. 

 
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