Pocket Diary of John M. Nash, 1863

01

Artifact Overview

John Nash, a private in the 34th Indiana Infantry, was convalescing in a hospital in Tennessee in 1862 when he received this diary. It was a Christmas gift from his father. Throughout 1863, Nash jotted down notes about his time in the hospital, his return to civilian life, and his reenlistment. Nash died in July 1865, serving his country. His diary survives, a simple record of an average Union soldier.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Diary

Date Made

1862

Subject Date

01 January 1863-31 December 1863

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

40.283.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Leather
Metal
Wood (Plant Material)

Technique

Handwriting
Printing (Process)

Color

Black (Color)
Gold (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 5 in
Width: 3.5 in
Depth: 0.5 in

Inscriptions

written inside front cover of diary: PRESENTED TO JOHN M. NASH BY HIS FATHER AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT. I RECEIVED IT WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL AT GALLATIN TENN (No 2) LONG MAY IT CHERISH HIS MEMORY 1863[?} on pass folded inside diary: Hospital No. 2 Gallatin Dec 25th 1862 Guards & Pickets; Pass[?] bearer J.M. Nash to Camp of 74th Ind and back. John M. Fosse[?] Surgeon in charge. [on verso:] Approved / J.J. Scowitt[?]