The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-12-31

DEATH OF THE LAST SURVIVOR OF THE
BATTLE OF BUEKEk HILL.-Raiph Farnham
of Acton, Maine, the last survivor OF the bat
tie of Bunker Hill, which took place on the
l7Lh OF June, l77J-oVer year before the in
dependence of this country was declared
died while on visit at Great Falls, New
Hampshire, on the 26th inst, aged one hun
dred and four years five months and nineteen
days. Mr.. Farnham's home was on farm of
one hundred acres, situated about half mile
from the village OF Acton, Me. The farm is
managed by his second son, Dir. John Farm
ham, who is now sixty three years old. The
old patriot was the father OF seven children
the eldest, who would now have been seventy
five years Old, and another are dead, There
are i've yet living. He enlisted, with some OF
his youthful comrades, shortly after Wash
ington took command Of the revolutionary
forces at Cambridge. He reached the cam .
only the day before the battle of Bunker
Hill, and was Immediately marched to The
expected scene of operations. He was placed
in the rear in charge Of ammunition and
stores, when the battle began, but as il pro-
ceeded was called into action. He served
in the revolutionary army through three
campaigns, from 1878 to l777. He was pre-
sent at the surrender of Burgoyne, and
used often to relate the following anecdote OF
that event: He said that after Burgoyne's sur
render, General Gates invited him and 9th +
British officers to dine with him and his off,
UdersesaIuring the dinner every body was very
9HsseEtnl and pleasant, or at least appeared to
sso.'9 sites sat at the head Of the table.
- -
laugh ter amongst those seated near the British
officers, and Gates inquired the cause OF it
His officer explained: General Gates, Gen
eral Burgoyne says he would rather take you
for an old woman than soldier" "Ah ~ re-
piled Gates, /" does he ! Well, perhaps / am
an Old woman-I delivered him safely OF To-
600 men" The following letter, written by
the old man IN Septem ber last, in reply TO the
invitation from Governor Banks and Others
shows that the weight OF a century had not
dimmed his faculties nor impaired his enjoy
ment OF life:
ACTON, Me, Sept. rs, 1860.
Mr.. n. P. Banks, Mr.. F. W. Lincoln, JT., and
0ths 8, Boston, have received your KIND inv
tation to visit Boston. and l thank you for the
honor ou do me. When listed IN the American
army, at the age of eighteen, did not suppose
should live to be l04 and be asked by the Governor
Boston. 1t seems strange that out OF all VINO
were at Bunker Hill, alone should be liylng. 1t
appears to me, though so long ago. as II II was
but yesterday. | can remember the particulars oi
the march after lsted-how the people cneered. .
and when near Andover, Colonel ABBOTT came out
and said Well done, my lads" and sent out
day bsiore the battle Oh, 1t was terrible affair
TO me, for II was tue first time | ever engaged IN
lighting. 1 served with the army through three
campaigns, and was present ana on guara Wnen
any specl&l praise for the part took IN the heFo-
luton. felt and acted only as others. | receive
every year my pension OF S6l 66 though nave
to pay S4 20 lawyer IN Portland TO get IL lor he
have MANY things to comfort me as Journey
along through lfe-lnnumefa0e are the mercles
| am sur ounded with. As TO tempOral matters
Kind LOVING children, faithful liiehus' AS 10 SPIT
itual the Holy scriptures and the various instl
turIons of reli gionall of which are designed Tor
our lmprovem> mt here, and TO prepare us To dwell
in that better world above. Ii g. KIND Providence
spares my life and Real h, you may expect TO see
me Ia Boston about the 9Th OF October
Your friend RALPH FARNHAM.