John Bennitt Civil War diary, volume 1

This diary is one of three kept by physician John Bennitt of Centreville, Michigan describing his experience as a Civil War surgeon for the 19th Michigan Infantry Regiment. The first volume (Sept. 1, 1863-Jan. 26, 1864) details Bennitt's stay at camps in Murfreesboro and as head of the General Hospital in McMinnville, Tennessee. The volume focuses on medical conditions treated, medicines prescribed, surgery performed (including amputations), and the progress of patients. Other entries describe his daily routine, living conditions, weather, correspondence, attendance at bible class, and occasional war news. The last pages of the volume includes an account of letters written and received with names of correspondents and dates.

1863

Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives

Part of collection of papers with correspondence published by Wayne State University Press, Detroit as I Hope to Do My Country Service; the Civil War letters of John Bennitt, M.D., Surgeon, 19th Michigan Infantry.

RHC-43_BD-1

eng