Series I: Commissions, 1857-1862

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’).