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     MANUSCRIPTS and ARCHIVAL MATERIAL

Sylvenus A. Fay Civil War diary

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 16708

Content Description

Sylvenus A. Fay diary recounting the daily events of camp life and fighting, his capture by Confederates during the Battle of Plymouth, North Carolina and waiting for an exchange for his freedom with hundreds of Union Officers. Lieutenant Fay was the commanding officer of Company F, 85th New York Infantry. In January 1864, the 85th Infantry was ordered to Plymouth NC, where in April, almost the entire regiment was captured.

There is significant information in the diary about how officers who were captured were often exchanged for officers in the Confederacy.

Dates

  • Creation: 1864

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Photocopies are recommended since the diary is fragile.

Conditions Governing Use

Handle with care--diary is in fragile condition. Consider using enlarged photocopies instead.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Sylvenus A. Fay, was the commanding officer of Company F, 85th New York Infantry. In January 1864, the 85th Infantry was ordered to Plymouth NC, where in April, it was obliged to surrender to a superior force of the enemy, almost the entire regiment being captured. Lieutenant Fay was one of the men captured but survived his captivity.He was paroled on December 10, 1864 at Charleston, South Carolina.

Extent

0.010 Cubic Feet (3 folders) : 2 letter size and one legal size

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Beltrone & Company by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 17 December, 2018.

Title
Sylvenus A. Fay Civil War Diary
Status
Completed
Author
Ellen Welch
Date
2022-09-14
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States