The Two Brothers
Seth Frederick Plumb was born on August 27, 1836. The 1850 U.S. Census showed his father Frederick W. Plumb, and his mother Huldah S. Plumb. They had five children. John L. born in 1832, Seth F. born in 1836, Lemira E. born in 1840, William H. born in 1842, and Charles E. born in 1846.
Prior to the war, Seth farmed land he owned, and sold cordwood from his wood lots off of Brush Hill Road. In
the winter, he taught in a one room schoolhouse on Harris Plains at the foot of Brush Hill.
The 1860 U.S. Census listed Seth living with his brother John, his wife Lucy, and their two-year-old son, Frederick. They all lived on John’s farm on Knox Road, close by to Brush Hill.
The War Begins
Seth Plumb enlisted, at 23 years old, in the 8th Connecticut Volunteers on September 6, 1861. He was
mustered Sergeant in Company E on September 25, 1861. He was promoted First Sergeant on May 16, 1864,
after his best friend, First Sergeant Edward Wadhams of Litchfield, was killed at the battle of Drewry’s Bluff.
Seth was commissioned Second Lieutenant on July 17, 1864, but was never mustered.
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Will enlisted later, in the summer of 1862, in the newly-formed 19th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. After forming, his regiment was reorganized as the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and was trained to operate the heavy cannon mounted in fortifications around Washington City.
Two Brothers, Two Fates
Seth was killed in action during the assault at the battle of Fort Harrison on September 29, 1864. It was the last battle the Eighth fought. He 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.
Will survived the war, and returned to his family's farms in Litchfield, carrying on the work he and Seth did before the war. He joined, and was later elected Commander of the GAR Post that was named in honor of his brother, Seth. He married Emma T. Buell, and they had three children. He died on November 30, 1916 and was buried near his brother Seth.
Legacy
"One other name I must mention among our honored dead. Our rolls record him only as an enlisted man, with rank of sergeant; for although having been commissioned, he had never been mustered as lieutenant. But fairer character never graced a soldier’s uniform, and he lives embalmed in the affections of home and in the hearts of his comrades. He led in the closing prayer of that last meeting an hour before the march; and his last words as the column moved for the charge were respecting ‘that good meeting.’ Even the casket in which such a jewel has been carried is prized; and, as we write here in camp, weeping friends are preparing in the burying-ground of Litchfield, Conn., the grave of our dear comrade, Seth F. Plumb.”
-Connecticut War Record
