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| This pocket diary is 6” high, 3 ¼” wide, and ¾” thick, which would have made it small enough carry easily. It is covered in dark green leather, and it was printed by W.G. Perry, Manufacturing Stationer, in Philadelphia. It covers the year 1863. |
This
diary is on loan to the museum and is currently on display in our Camp Life
gallery. I was offered the chance to
borrow it by the great-grandson of its author.
We had talked on the telephone a few times, and he was very interested in
sharing this diary and a few other related artifacts, so that more people could
enjoy them. He was a very charming
gentleman, and we were in the process of arranging for the delivery of the
artifacts when I stopped hearing from him.
I was shocked and quite sad to learn that he had passed away. I was very grateful when his daughter decided
to honor his wishes and go forward with the loan of the artifacts.
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| A drawing of Dr. Thomas Lawton, author of the diary. |
The diary
was written by Thomas Clark Lawton, who was an Assistant Surgeon with the 37th
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Thomas
Lawton was born in Hartland, CT, on February 8, 1834. He attended Sheffield Medical School and
graduated in 1859, after which he worked at the Rainsford Island Hospital in
Boston, MA. Dr. Lawton was one of the
first volunteers to enlist in the 37th Massachusetts Volunteer
Infantry, remaining with them from August 15, 1862 through February 23,
1864. He was in the battles of
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, as well as the 1863 New York
draft riots.
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| In addition to the dated pages, it contains a mini-almanac in the front with charts for moon phases, eclipses, railroad distances, and postal rates, as well as an 1863 monthly calendar which lists the daily sunrise, sunset, and moonrise times. In the back are memoranda pages and cash account pages for each month. There is also a small pocket in the back of the diary which contains two letters of reference from Rainsford Island Hospital in Boston for Dr. Lawton, and two newspaper clippings of his obituary. |
The first
entry in the diary is for New Year’s Day in 1863. Dr. Lawton notes that they were camping along
the Rappahannock River (Virginia), and that he was doing picket duty. He adds that the previous New Year had been
much more pleasant! Later entries
describe muddy marches, setting up tents in the rain, shortages of food,
illnesses and deaths, sending requisitions for medicines which never arrived,
going on furlough, and seeing President Lincoln reviewing the troops.
It
appears that he was in Maryland as well:
Friday,
July 10 – Left our camp near Boonsborough early and marched towards
Hagerstown. Heavy canons a little in
advance. Marched some 4 miles and took position
on the right of the corps in line of battle.
Lay there all day and night.
Located my hospital in a nice grove in the rear. Seven companies under the Maj. Detailed about 10 ock at night to go on
picket. After packing up and going 2
miles it was concluded they were not needed and sent back.
Saturday,
July 11 – Lay in same position all day.
Rec’d orders to pack up and put all meds away about sundown. After about an hour’s waiting rec’d orders
for the men to go to sleep. Went back to
our old position and had a good night’s rest.
Orders to march at 4 tomorrow morning.
Sunday,
July 12 – Left our position this morning and marched in the direction of
Hagerstown passing through Funkstown.
Came up with reb pickets about a mile beyond. Funkstown and Antietam Creek formed in line
of battle and sent out skirmishers. Lay
in first position for about 2 hours.
Then moved to the left about a mile or so and formed again. A very heavy shower in p.m. Skirmishing very heavy – quiet at night when
we advanced our pickets. Several of the
2nd RI wounded. Took a house
for a hospital. Slept in a hay
loft. Had my horse stolen at night –
found her again.
Thomas
Lawton was not the only one who made entries in his diary though. His fiancée left several short notes, poems,
and drawings for him to find, as well as an entry on January 10 reminding him
that it was her birthday! Her name was Nina
Vose, and seeing her additions makes me think that this diary may have been a gift from her. Dr. Lawton makes many references in
it about to writing to Nina and receiving letters from her. While Dr. Lawton’s diary entries are mostly
matter of fact, Nina’s little additions are more playful. On one page she left him this little ditty:
“Thomas was an idle lad,
And lounged about all day.
And though he many lessons had,
He minded naught but play.”
And lounged about all day.
And though he many lessons had,
He minded naught but play.”
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| This sketch was left in the diary by Nina. Its caption reads, “Your residence – Pig, Cow & well sweep - & a faithful likeness of yourself.” |
I had
chuckle when reading that Nina signed many of her entries “Pinkie”, and in one
instance, “Naughty Pinkie.” It seemed
quite evident that these two were more than just a little fond of each
other! As difficult as it must have been
for them to be apart, their story does have a happy ending. After the war, Dr. Lawton set up a private
practice in Hinsdale, MA, married Nina, and they raised four children
together.
The last
diary entry on December 30 is a poem written in the doctor’s handwriting that
seems to tell it all:
“They never loved who idly say
That lover’s hearts are apt to stray.
For O, I tell thee, gentle one,
True love is changeless as the sun,
That lover’s hearts are apt to stray.
For O, I tell thee, gentle one,
True love is changeless as the sun,
Unlike a transient flashing flame
It glows eternally the same;
‘Tis fixed in reason and the will,
And ceases not till hearts are still.”
It glows eternally the same;
‘Tis fixed in reason and the will,
And ceases not till hearts are still.”
Photos
courtesy of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
