urn:taro:rice.wrc.00108 Guide to the John C. Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary, 1861-62, 1865-68 Crosby, John C. Woodson Research Center 2004 EAD tagging provided by Amanda York Focke, April, 2004. Finding aid written in English. Guide to the John C. Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary, 1861-62, 1865-68 Crosby, John C. Woodson Research Center Descriptive Summary John C. Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary 1861-1868 MS 287 1 diary (59 bound pages) Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX A leather-bound hand-written diary kept by John C. Crosby, first from 1861 to 1862 during the United States Civil War while Crosby served in the Seventh Maine Regiment of the Union army (probably as a hospital orderly), recording daily activities in tending the sick while moving about on campaign; then, from 1865 to 1868 after Crosby’s return to civilian life, recording his activities and personal finances as a hired farm worker. Crosby, John C. Materials are in English. Biographical Note

According to entries in his diary, John C. Crosby enlisted for military service in the Union army during the Civil War on September 9, 1861, leaving for Baltimore shortly afterward to serve in the Seventh Maine Regiment, evidently as a hospital orderly. His last entry during the period of his military service was on August 11, 1862, and by 1865 his entries indicate that he was engaged in farm work.

Scope and Contents

The John C. Crosby Diary (1861-62, 1865-68) consists of 59 pages of ledger paper measuring 3” x 5” written on both sides in pencil and ink and encased in a leather binding. Crosby’s entries record his experiences (evidently as a hospital orderly) while serving during the United States Civil War from August 1861 to August 1862 in the Seventh Maine Regiment. His entries record activities primarily while he was in Georgia, where he notes heavy battle around Savannah and the capture of Fort Pulaski in November 1861. He notes diseases treated (small pox and typhoid fever among others), deaths, and everyday hospital routine (including an incident of ‘head check and washing and killing lice’). The last portion of the diary (1865-68) records Crosby’s activities and personal finances as a hired farm worker after returning to civilian life (‘6 Days Moving House and Barn - $9.00,’ ‘1 Day Chopin wood - $1.00’).

 Preferred Citation

John C. Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary , 1861-1868, MS 287, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University

Acquisition Information

The John C. Crosby Diary was a gift of John Wright, received April 9, 1980.

 Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions on access to these papers or the accompanying oral interviews.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the John C. Crosby U.S. Civil War Diary must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

 Index Terms Subjects (Places) United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865. Subjects (Organizations) Seventh Maine Regiment. Detailed Description of the Collection Diary, 1861-62, 1865-68

The John C. Crosby Diary (1861-62, 1865-68) consists of 59 pages of ledger paper measuring 3” x 5” written on both sides in pencil and ink and encased in a leather binding. Crosby’s entries record his experiences (evidently as a hospital orderly) while serving during the United States Civil War from August 1861 to August 1862 in the Seventh Maine Regiment. His entries record activities primarily while he was in Georgia, where he notes heavy battle around Savannah and the capture of Fort Pulaski in November 1861. He notes diseases treated (small pox and typhoid fever among others), deaths, and everyday hospital routine (including an incident of ‘head check and washing and killing lice’). The last portion of the diary (1865-68) records Crosby’s activities and personal finances as a hired farm worker after returning to civilian life (‘6 Days Moving House and Barn - $9.00,’ ‘1 Day Chopin wood - $1.00’).