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Series 1: Captain Isaac Plumb Papers, 1859-1864

5 boxes
SOME ONLINE CONTENT
Collection Creator:
Plumb family
Dates:
1859-1864
Extent:
5 boxes
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

Captain Plumb served with the 61st New York Infantry Regiment from 1861 to 1864. In order for the letters and documents to be placed in historical context, the following summary of the regiment's activities is included. In 1861, the 61st New York Infantry Regiment left New York City on November 1, traveled towards Washington, DC, and arrived at Camp California near Alexandria, Virginia on November 28.

In 1862, the Regiment revolted against Colonel Cone and Major Masset (Cone was discharged on April 14 and Massett was killed in action at Battle of Fair Oaks), fought the Battle of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines) from May 31 to June 1, fought the Seven Days Battle (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Savage Station, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, and Malvern Hill) from June 25 to July 1, fought the Battle of Antietam from September 16 to 17, performed reconnaissance to Charlestown from October 16 to 17, and fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg from December 12 to 15.

In 1863, the Regiment participated in the "Mud March" from January 20 to 24, fought the Battle of Chancellorsville from May 1 to 5, fought the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to 4, pursued Lee from through Virginia and served on the line of the Rappahannock and to Rapidan, fought at Bristoe Station on October 14, fought at Mine Run from November 26 to December 2, and set up camp at Stevensburg, where they would remain until May of 1864. In 1863, William Pell writes of the riots in New York City which resulted from the institution of the draft.

In 1864, the Regiment was camped at Stevensburg until May, fought at the Battle of the Wilderness from May 5 to 7 (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Todd's Tavern), fought at Spotsylvania from May 8 to 12 (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Po River), fought at North Anna River from May 23 to 26, and fought at Cold Harbor from June 1 to 12. Captain Plumb was wounded on June 11 and was transported to Campbell Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he died on July 4. At the time of his wound and hospitalization, there were a number of letters sent between family members about Captain Plumb's condition, the seriousness of the wound, and conditions within the hospital. There is also a letter describing the situation in which Captain Plumb received his wound. A number of telegrams were sent, including one at the time of Captain Plumb's death. Following his death, there are number of letters of condolence.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Credit this material:

Series 1: Captain Isaac Plumb Papers; Isaac Plumb, Jr. Family Papers, C1432, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 1-3; 7-8
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

The three swords require special handling. Please consult with Public Services staff.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2012. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2012.

During 2022, restrictions on three swords were lifted as part of a restrictions review project.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Captain Plumb served with the 61st New York Infantry Regiment from 1861 to 1864. In order for the letters and documents to be placed in historical context, the following summary of the regiment's activities is included. In 1861, the 61st New York Infantry Regiment left New York City on November 1, traveled towards Washington, DC, and arrived at Camp California near Alexandria, Virginia on November 28.

In 1862, the Regiment revolted against Colonel Cone and Major Masset (Cone was discharged on April 14 and Massett was killed in action at Battle of Fair Oaks), fought the Battle of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines) from May 31 to June 1, fought the Seven Days Battle (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Savage Station, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, and Malvern Hill) from June 25 to July 1, fought the Battle of Antietam from September 16 to 17, performed reconnaissance to Charlestown from October 16 to 17, and fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg from December 12 to 15.

In 1863, the Regiment participated in the "Mud March" from January 20 to 24, fought the Battle of Chancellorsville from May 1 to 5, fought the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to 4, pursued Lee from through Virginia and served on the line of the Rappahannock and to Rapidan, fought at Bristoe Station on October 14, fought at Mine Run from November 26 to December 2, and set up camp at Stevensburg, where they would remain until May of 1864. In 1863, William Pell writes of the riots in New York City which resulted from the institution of the draft.

In 1864, the Regiment was camped at Stevensburg until May, fought at the Battle of the Wilderness from May 5 to 7 (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Todd's Tavern), fought at Spotsylvania from May 8 to 12 (during which Captain Plumb saw action at Po River), fought at North Anna River from May 23 to 26, and fought at Cold Harbor from June 1 to 12. Captain Plumb was wounded on June 11 and was transported to Campbell Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he died on July 4. At the time of his wound and hospitalization, there were a number of letters sent between family members about Captain Plumb's condition, the seriousness of the wound, and conditions within the hospital. There is also a letter describing the situation in which Captain Plumb received his wound. A number of telegrams were sent, including one at the time of Captain Plumb's death. Following his death, there are number of letters of condolence.

Arrangement

This series is arranged in two subseries: "Personal Letters and Documents, 1859-1864" and "Official Letters and Documents, 1861-1864."

Collection History

Appraisal

No material was separated during 2012 processing.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2012. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2012.

During 2022, restrictions on three swords were lifted as part of a restrictions review project.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

The three swords require special handling. Please consult with Public Services staff.

Credit this material:

Series 1: Captain Isaac Plumb Papers; Isaac Plumb, Jr. Family Papers, C1432, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
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Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 1-3; 7-8