Collection: William H. Bartoll diary | ArchivesSpace Public Interface

Scope and Contents

Diary, 1864 Jan. 1-June 27, of William H. Bartoll, describing his experiences as surgeon’s steward aboard the "Nahant", a Union ironclad monitor, stationed at Charleston Bay during the Civil War. Includes recipes and cash accounts as steward. Bartoll describes the general conditions and daily life aboard an ironclad with references to his medical work, including dispensing drugs and tending wounded; descriptions of military skirmishes; and impressions of the progress of the war. Diary also includes Bartoll’s experiences while on leave at Marblehead, Mass., 17 May-24 June 1864.

Dates

1864

Creator

Bartoll, William H. (William Horace) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

William Horace Bartoll, shoemaker and surgeon’s steward aboard the "Nahant", was born in Marblehead, Mass., on 11 Sept. 1842. Although family records indicate he died of wounds in the Columbian Hospital, Washington, D.C., 1 July 1864, naval records maintain he was discharged on 11 Oct. 1864. Bartoll enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 21 Aug. 1861, at Boston, Mass., and served aboard the "Ohio" and "Ino" until his discharge on 27 June 1862. On 2 Dec. 1862, Bartoll was appointed surgeon’s steward on the "Nahant", where his duties included maintenance of a medical journal and dispensation of drugs.