Tom Plunkett: Civil War Hero

I’ve come across a Civil War hero in the family tree. The husband of my 3rd cousin, four times removed,

Helen Lorimer was the civil war hero Thomas F. Plunkett. When war broke out Thomas was working as a boot maker and was engaged to be married to Helen.

Thomas enlisted with Company E, 21st Massachusetts infantry regiment during the Civil War. Tom had noticed after the battle of Chantilly that a friend had gone missing. He set aside his rifle and went to try and locate his friend when he came across a Confederate soldier. Tom was unarmed and managed to surprise the soldier from behind and take his rifle. He then marched his prisoner back to camp. Tom was made a Sergeant for this act.

Two weeks later at the battle of South Mountain Tom came across a wounded union officer leaning against a barn. The officer requested water which Tom provided and he made sure the officer was good before continuing to fight.

During the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia Tom saw that the flag bearer had been killed. Tom picked up the colors and moved forward. Tom was hit by cannon fire in the right arm which deflected off a book, a souvenir guide to the Virginia White Sulfur Springs he had picked up earlier

that day in his vest pocket and then struck him in the left arm. Doing his best he used his feet and what he could of his arms to continue holding the flag. With bullets hitting the flag, standard and even going through his hat he finally collapsed on the flag. Tom was relieved by and sent to the rear by his commanding officer, Colonel William S. Clark.

For his actions Tom was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1866 by President Andrew Johnson.

During a tour in the summer of 1877 by President Rutherford B. Hayes Tom happened to be in the audience. He recognized Hayes as the wounded officer he had assisted at the barn 15 years earlier. After the speech Tom introduced himself and was well received by the President.

Family Connection
Thomas was married to Helen Lorimer a 3rd cousin, four times removed to myself from my paternal Gordon side of the family. The couple had three children, two boys and a girl.

*Photos courtesy of the Library of Congress (www.loc.gov)