dual personalities

At his Post — so reads the monument dedicated to Waldo Farrar, a native of Moretown, Vermont who served in the 1st Minnesota Regiment and was killed on July 2nd, 1863 at Gettysburg.

Photo courtesy of findagrave.com

My father always said that one of our ancestors died at Gettysburg, repulsing Picket’s charge, so when I had the chance to research this family legend, I did. Although it turned out that Waldo was neither a blood relative nor involved in Picket’s charge, it is easy to see how his story worked itself into ours. Moretown, whose cemetery I’ve blogged about earlier, was (and is) a very tiny town; everyone knew everyone else. Clearly Waldo’s death had a big impact.

Born in 1836, Waldo grew up in Moretown but left when he was old enough to join his brother in Minnesota. When the war broke out the brothers volunteered for the 1st Minnesota regiment. Waldo served as a Sergeant and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on September 17th, 1862 at Antietam, the bloodiest day of battle in American history. The regiment also served at 1st and 2nd Fredericksburg. Worn out, perhaps, from so much carnage, or maybe troubled by a premonition, Waldo requested and was granted a 15 day leave of absence on May 17, 1863. He went home to Moretown to take care of “important private business which requires my personal attention” (findagrave.com). At least he got to go home before his luck ran out.

Waldo was among the 262 Minnesotans who attacked Wilcox’s 1,600 Alabamians on July 2 (Wikipedia). Twenty-six year old Waldo fell in the charge.

Painting by Don Troiani. Courtesy of The National Guard

He is buried along with his brothers-in-arms at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

The fact that the people of Moretown raised a monument to Waldo shows how greatly his death and the battle resonated. Quite simply, it was a big deal. I’m glad I learned the truth about Waldo Farrar (who had a great name!) — it’s even better than family legend. And although we aren’t directly related, I remember him on this Memorial Day right along with family members who made the ultimate sacrifice: Daniel Herbert Cameron (senior), Arthur Newell Chamberlin (senior)and Guy Russell Chamberlin.

I leave you with the 1940 version of the great hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”

Mighty Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain
O’er which our traffic runs amain
By mountain pass or valley low;
Wherever, Lord, thy brethren go,
Protect them by thy guarding hand
From every peril on the land.

O Spirit, whom the Father sent
To spread abroad the firmament;
O Wind of heaven, by thy might
Save all who dare the eagle’s flight,
And keep them by thy watchful care
From every peril in the air.

O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso’er they go,
Thus evermore shall rise to thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea.

Remember to remember this Memorial Day!