47056: Fernando R. Farrar, 44th Virginia Infantry, Arch

Fernando R. Farrar, 44th Virginia Infantry, Archive of Letters. A group of approximately 20 letters, 11 from Farrar which are all war-dated. The war dated letters range from July 5, 1861 to February 16, 1862. In addition to Fernando Farrar's letters, there are letters from his father-in-law, wife, and various acquaintances. Farrar was a resident of Amelia Co., Virginia and enlisted in June of 1861 as a First Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company H, 44th Virginia Infantry but resigned just three months later. He then was commissioned into Company I, 2nd Virginia Heavy Artillery, after having raised the company. This unit was later disbanded in May 1862. Early into his service, Farrar wrote home with concerns about illness that was sweeping like wildfire through the army lines. In a letter to his brother, dated July 30, 1861 from Monterey, he wrote: "... There is a great deal of sickness in our regiment we do not parade one half and the measles has now broken out generally and of course the sick list is much increased. We lost on yesterday our first man. Poor Zack Southall died of measles on Sunday and on yesterday I followed the silent funeral [illegible] that conveyed him to his lonely resting place on the mountain side. With slow pace we carried him on. There was no voice of lamentation. No mother's tears..." [Four pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75"]. A little over a month later, on September 2, 1861, Farrar was stationed at Camp Barton and wrote to his wife about waiting for orders and news of the Union blockade. This letter reads in part: " ...Genl Lee may have some plan of attack but it has not been communicated to our branch of the army. We are waiting quietly at this place for further orders...The blockage I think is now virtually broken by the English Government and if we can get that we will have ample means to prosecute. The War I hope that it will soon be over..." [Four pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75"]. Just one week later, Farrar was greeted with terrible news from home. His daughter Jennie had become gravely ill, and he wrote a frantic letter to his wife for news of his child and to break the news to her that he would be unable to return home to see them. His September 11, 1861 letter reads in part: " With a heart breaking with sorrow I write you this letter. Oh my darling child shall it be that you will die and I shall not behold thy face. My cup is too full (oh why did you not let me know before this) I see no chance of my coming home I did make application but was refused. I am unmanned...Oh my God will thou not spare to me my darling child...Why did you not let me know sooner of the condition of my child I suppose that you wished the case to be determined before you wrote...Oh my poor child the favorite of my flock..." [Two pages of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75"]. Tragically, Farrar's daughter did not survive her fever and she passed away while her father was still away from home. He was met with further bad times when the Confederate Army was faring poorly in the war. In a letter from Camp Winder, dated February 10, 1862, Farrar wrote of the army's woes: " ...the news from the army is most disastrous. The whole Wise legion has been captured and the news from the west is most calamitous. If a great effort is not made the country is gone. I have two very sick men and the measles has broken in my company...while I feel all the languish at parting with our children still I strive to be contented. The condition of the army excites my greatest anxiety and I am glad I am now in this Branch of the Service. The militia will soon be called out in masse. And I would have to stand a draft...The sickness will give me great trouble. The men will not go to the Hospital and it places me in a very bad position. I give them all the attention that I can. The measles will nearly disorganize my company after a while..." [Four pages of a bifolium, 6.75" x 8"]. As mentioned, additional letters in the archive include those from Farrar's wife, father-in-law, and friends. A small, yet moving group of letters from a Confederate soldier that would add greatly to any collection. Condition: Flattened mail folds, with letters having varying degrees of toning, soiling, and foxing. A few small separations to some folds. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved