Shoulder Epaulets of Isaac Ferdinand Quinby / SOLD

Shoulder Epaulets of Isaac Ferdinand Quinby - Inventory Number: IDE 081 / SOLD

Beautiful pair of cased epaulets manufactured by William H. Smith and Co. New YorkLabel addressed at: “4 Maiden Lane, New York - Importers and Dealers in Military Goods, Guns, Pistols, Cutlery, etc.” This location was used during the Mexican War, from 1846-1852.  An additional identical label on the side of the box bears the additional handwritten note “Gilt- Lieut. 4693”. Interior of the Lid is marked in pencil: Gift of Miss Elsie Quinby Nov. 18, 1954., Bottom of the box is marked with West Chester Historical Society ascension number 81.120a. as are the brass hook devices on the epaulets themselves. A pencil notation on the bottom of the box reads “I. Quinby Adj.”.

Isaac F. Quinby, brigadier-general, was born near Morristown, Morris county, N. J., Jan. 29, 1821.  He graduated the United States military academy in 1843 and served from 1845 to 1847 as assistant professor at West Point, engaging then in the war with Mexico.  In 1852 he resigned his commission and was until the Civil war professor of mathematics and natural and experimental philosophy at the University of Rochester, N. Y.  He became colonel of the 13th N. Y. infantry, May 14, 1861, led his regiment through Baltimore to Washington, and then resigned his commission on Aug. 4.  He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, March 17, 1862, took part in the northern Mississippi campaign of 1862-63, and was detailed to guard the western extremity of the Memphis & Charleston railroad.  He subsequently took an important part in the operations about Vicksburg, as commander of the 7th division of the Army of the Tennessee, planning an attack on Fort Pemberton which was given up on orders from Gen. Grant.  He was ordered home on sick leave, May 1, 1863, but, hearing of Grant's proposed attack on Vicksburg returned to the command of his division two weeks later, and engaged in the battle of Champion's hill on May 16, and in the assaults on Vicksburg, May 19-22.  His health again failing he was on leave of absence from June to August, then commanded a draft rendezvous at Elmira, N. Y., until December, and on Dec. 31, resigned his commission and resumed his chair at the University of Rochester.  He was city surveyor of Rochester, 1886-90, and a trustee and vice-president of the soldiers' home at Bath, N. Y., 1879-86.  He was the author of mathematical textbooks.  Gen. Quinby died in Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 18, 1891.

Isaac Ferdinand Quinby:

Residence was not listed; 40 years old.

Enlisted on 5/8/1861 at Rochester, NY as a Colonel.

On 5/14/1861 he was commissioned into Field & Staff NY 13th Infantry

He Resigned on 8/5/1861

 (Prior service in US Army from 07/01/1843 until 03/16/1852)

On 3/17/1862 he was commissioned into

US Volunteers General Staff

He Resigned on 12/31/1861

Promotions:

* Brig-General 3/17/1862

Other Information:

born 1/29/1821 in Morristown, NJ

died 9/18/1891 in Rochester, NY

(Graduate USMA 07/01/1843)

NEW YORK THIRTEENTH INFANTRY (Two Years)

Thirteenth Infantry.-Cols., Isaac F. Quimby, John Pickell; Elisha G.  Marshall, Lieut.-Cols., Carl Stephan, Francis A. Schoeffel; Majs., Oliver L. Terry, Francis A. Schoeffel, George Hyland, Jr.

The 13th, the "Rochester regiment," composed of eight companies from Rochester, one from Dansville and one from Brockport, was mustered into the U. S. service at Elmira for a term of three months.  It left Elmira on May 29, 1861, for Washington with the 12th, and camped on Meridian hill until June 3, when it was ordered to Fort Corcoran, where it was employed in construction work until the opening of the Manassas movement.

It then became a part of the 3d brigade, 1st division, Army of Northeastern Virginia; was engaged at Blackburn's ford, and was active at Bull Run, losing 58 members.  In August, under special orders, the regiment was mustered into the U. S. service for the remainder of the two years' term for which it had been accepted for state service.

As in the case of the 12th the order was received with dissatisfaction, so openly expressed that some members of the 13th were sentenced to the Dry Tortugas for discipline, but afterward returned to the regiment.  From Oct. 1 to March 10, 1862, the 13th performed guard and picket duty along the Potomac near Georgetown and was then assigned to Martindale's brigade, Porter's division, 3d corps, with which it participated in the Peninsular campaign.

It had its share of the arduous duties in the siege of Yorktown, the tiresome marches on the Peninsula; and lost heavily in the Seven Days' battles.  In May, 1862, it was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 5th corps, and after the Peninsular campaign and a brief rest at Harrison's Landing moved to join Gen. Pope.

In the second battle of Bull Run the regiment was closely engaged and out of 240 in action, suffered a loss of 45 killed and many wounded and missing.  Withdrawing to Washington, the regiment proceeded from there to the front; was held in reserve at Antietam and went into camp at Sharpsburg, after a sharp encounter with the enemy at Shepherdstown.

It reached the vicinity of Fredericksburg on Nov 19 and lost heavily in the battle there the following month.  Returning to its former camp, the 13th participated in the "Mud March" and thereafter remained in winter quarters until the end of April, 1863, when the term of enlistment expired.

The original two years men were mustered out at Rochester, May 14, 1863, and the three years' men and recruits were consolidated into two companies which were attached to the 140th N. Y.  The total strength of the regiment was 1,300 men; its loss by death from wounds was 85 and from disease, accident or imprisonment 44.

Inventory Number: IDE 081 / SOLD