Archive Record
Metadata
Accession number |
2004.428 |
Catalog Number |
2004.428.01 |
Collection |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Plummer (Edward J) Papers, 1862 |
Creator |
Plummer (Edward J) |
Date |
September 16, 1862 |
Dates of Creation |
September 16, 1862 |
Scope & Content |
The first letter (September 16, 1862; 4 pages) written just prior to the battle of Antietam, documents battles the 2nd New Hampshire had fought since May 4, 1862. Plummer described the battles of Williamsburg (May 4, 1862), Fair Oaks (May 31, 1862), and Malvern Hill (July 9 and August 5, 1862). According to Plummer, thousands of lives were sacrificed for nothing: "That was the first and only battle that was fairly won in the whole Summer's Campaign and yet [thousands] of [lives] have been sacrificed for nothing." Despite his frustration with the Union's military leadership and the losses of the summer of 1862, Plummer reassured his parents of his commitment to the fight on: "But what is a mans life in the army it is not so much as a scratch of a pin at home to go on a field and see thousand lying some with one arm some without either leg and in fact without any head it is Enough to make a mans blood run Cold, but Father and Mother you must not get Discouraged at this for we all Come out here to fight or Die and to preserve our Country." |
People |
Edward J. Plummer Gen. McClellan Prentice William Lorenzo |
Search Terms |
Fort North Alexandria VA Hagerstown MD Bull Run Williamsburg VA Fair Oaks Malvins Hill newspapers wounds injuries fatalities reconnaissance musical instruments postage stamps |
Credit line |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Copyrights |
The copyright of these materials is managed by the Navarro College Archives on behalf of the Navarro College Foundation, 3100 W. Collin St., Corsicana, Texas 75110 Phone: 903-875-7438. Internet: archives@navarrocollege.edu. Reproductions of original materials and transcriptions may be available. Please contact the archivist for further information. |