Civil War Museum About 'Halfway' To Bringing CT Vet's Uniform 'Home'

VERNON, CT — The New England Civil War Museum and Research Center in Vernon is about "halfway" in its efforts to bring the uniform and some personal effects of a Connecticut soldier "back home."

"Could you spare a few dollars to help us reach our goal? We are halfway there, but we need to raise the funds for the other half," Museum officials said in a social media post Thursday. "Thank you to those generous people and organizations that have donated thus far. Join their ranks and help us bring Seth's uniform back to Connecticut."

All those who donated will have their names added to the dedication plaque on the future exhibit display, Museum officials said.

"Seth is Sgt. Seth Plumb, a Civil War soldier Museum Director Matthew Reardon called "one of Connecticut’s heroes." Plumb served with the highly involved 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry through a good portion of the war until being killed in action in 1864 at the Battle of Fort Harrison in Virginia.

Reardon said Plumb's uniform, frock coat, cap, sash, and a few other items he owned have stayed together over the years, but "will soon be homeless" with the closing of a museum in Texas.

He said the Vernon-based museum now has an opportunity "to rescue them."

The fundraising campaign has raised $7,200 as of early Thursday afternoon. The goal is $18,000. The fundraiser can be accessed here.

According to the museum, Seth Frederick Plumb was born on Aug. 27, 1836, in Litchfield and the 1850 U.S. Census shows his father, Frederick W. Plumb, and his mother Huldah S. Plumb having four other children.

The Plumbs were farmers, and also sold cordwood, museum officials said.

Seth Plumb came to the Greater Hartford area after enlisting at 23 and was assigned to the 8th Connecticut Volunteers on Sept. 6, 1861. He was named a sergeant in Company E on Sept. 25, 1861.
The eighth was involved in several major battles, according to archives, including Antietam, Fredericksburg and Petersburg.

Records show that Plumb was promoted to first sergeant on May 16, 1864, after his best friend, First Sgt. Edward Wadhams of Litchfield, was killed at the battle of Drewry's Bluff. Plumb was commissioned Second Lieutenant on July 17, 1864, but the rank never took effect, records show. He was killed in action during the assault at the battle of Fort Harrison on Sept. 29, 1864, records show. It was the last battle the Eighth fought.

Plumb's younger brother, Will, served in the 19th Connecticut Volunteers, later re-designated the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery. Will survived the war, and continued the Plumb family legacy, farming in Litchfield.

Seth Plumb is buried in West Cemetery, in Litchfield, Connecticut.

The Litchfield post of the Grand Army of the Republic was named, in his honor, the Seth F. Plumb GAR Post No. 80.

The New England Civil War Museum and Research Center is located on the second floor of Vernon Town Hall in a fully preserved Grand Army of the Republic hall. See more about the museum here.