"Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth" Topic

"One of the greatest tragedies of the Civil War is the unnecessarily wasted life of Elon John Farnsworth and the lives of his men at the Battle of Gettysburg July 3rd, 1863. General Farnsworth was given the orders to lead a suicidal charge by General Kilpatrick and initially protested them. However, once realizing it was his duty he bravely led a cavalry charge into confederate lines and was killed . It is unfortunate that such an act of bravery has gone largely unnoticed as Elon John Farnsworth is "the only Union general officer to fall on the field at Gettysburg who does not have a monument of some sort to him on the battlefield." (Wittenberg, 2015).

Brigadier General Elon John Farnsworth was born in Green Oak, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan however there are conflicting reports on whether or not he graduated. Some sources claim that he graduated in 1858 however, a fairly infamous story about him being expelled exists. During a rowdy party, an accident occurred in which Farnsworth was involved where a student fell off the roof of the house and died. This incident may even be a contributing factor in Farnsworth's decision to join the military. "This account indicates that "Two years later, the University was shocked by the news of a wretched carousal in which this young man was a leading spirit. One of the students lay dead at the coroner's rooms. Eight students were expelled, among them this man. On leaving the University he went to [Dr. Andrew D.] White [professor of history] and thanked him for what he had done for him, acknowledged the justice of the actions of the faculty, but expressed the hope that he would yet show that he could make a man of himself. Five years later that student fell at the head of his brigade at Gettysburg. It was Farnsworth. He made good his promise." There is no verification of this story available, other than this account." (Wittenberg)…"

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Armand

Blame judson Kilpatrick for this death.

He is buried in Rockton, Illinois. I've seen his grave there.

Thanks.

Armand