Correspondence and diaries of Civil War surgeon, John Bennitt
Collection Description
The collection consists of over 200 letters from John Bennitt to his wife and daughters. In them he shared his life as a student at the University of Michigan and detailed observations of army life, including dramatic battles, his medical trials in the field and army hospitals, and character sketches of his regimental comrades, captured Confederates, and local southern citizens.
Three diaries accompany the correspondence. 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 second volume (Feb. 9, 1864-Jan. 13, 1865) continues the account of his work as head of the General Hospital in McMinnville, Tennessee, and of his Regiment's transfer to the front for the Atlanta and Savannah campaigns under Gen. Sherman. The third volume (Jan. 1, 1865-May 13, 1865) begins with the account of his leave of absence in Cincinnati, Ohio for an examination given by the Army Medical Board; a temporary stay in Charleston, South Carolina; and return to rejoin his Regiment for the Carolina campaigns in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bennitt's account ends with his march from Raleigh, N.C. to Arlington, Va.
Dates
- 1861-1865
Creator
- Bennitt, John (Person)
Access to Materials
Collection is open for research use. Materials may be accessed by request at Special Collections and University Archives in Seidman House. Materials do not circulate.
Publication Rights
For information on copyright or permissions for this collection, contact Grand Valley State University Special Collections.
Biography
In 1862 at the age of thirty-two, physician John Bennitt of Centerville, Michigan joined the 19th Michigan Infantry Regiment as an assistant surgeon and remained in military service until the end of the war. He served in Army hospitals in Kentucky and Tennessee, was captured by the Confederate forces, and was mustered out in Detroit in June 1865.
Extent
1.5 Linear feet (209 letters and 3 diaries in 2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
John Bennitt was a physician from Centreville, Michigan. He joined the 19th Michigan Infantry Regiment as an assistant surgeon, and remained in military service until the end of the war. The collection consists of over 200 letters from John Bennitt to his wife and daughters. In them he shared his detailed observations of army life as a surgeon. Three diaries accompany the correspondence.
Arrangement
Arranged in 2 series: 1) Correspondence; 2) Diaries
Source of Acquisition
Acquired from Harvey E. Lemmen in 1993.
Alternative Format
Letters and diaries have been digitized and are available in our Digital Collection.
Publication Information
- Centreville (Mich.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Michigan -- History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army. Michigan Infantry Regiment, 19th (1862-1865) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- University of Michigan
- Title
- Correspondence and diaries of Civil War surgeon, John Bennitt, RHC-43
- Author
- Special Collections & University Archives
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Valley State University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Seidman House
1 Campus Drive
Allendale MI 49401 United States
616-331-8726
collections@gvsu.edu
