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Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryEllen Welch
Handle with care--diary is in fragile condition. Consider using enlarged photocopies instead.
The collection is open for research use. Photocopies are recommended since the diary is fragile.
MSS 16708, Sylvenus A. Fay Civil War diary, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.
This collection was purchased from Beltrone & Company by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 17 December, 2018.
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.
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.
The collection is open for research use.
This collection was purchased from Beltrone and Company by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 17 December 2018.