Collection: New York City Night Watchers Club journal

Scope and Contents

A nightly entry by the various volunteers gives a report on the patients. Sometimes giving details of their history, illness and care. They also communicate with each other in a friendly and sometimes jesting manner and keep tabs on the cat that roams the hospital during the night. They also remark on the war.

Dates

Created: 1863 - 1865

Creator

New York City Night Watchers' Club (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

A group of volunteers, headed by C.T. Coggeshall, who took the night watch at a hospital for wounded and sick soldiers in New York City during the Civil War. The matron of the hospital, Mrs. Russell, requested that they "write something" in the book she provided regarding the patients or occurrences. The hospital closed Aug. 30, 1865.