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I was reading a soldier's diary, and he had an unusual hobby--doing scientific experiments. Samuel Melvin was a 19-year-old private in Co. K, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and here's what he was spending his pay on while stationed in Washington:
But they're eventually sent to a barracks, and he's at it again:
After being sent into battle, they return to winter quarters:
He noted in January 1864 that someone paid him 50 cents to repair a pistol and "this is the first money, other than my pay, that I have earned since I came for a soldier." But soon he was putting his electrical skill to practical use.
He plates a few more things, and tries gold plating but can't get it to work. Later on...
The diary is at http://books.google.com/books?id=KlI...77&output=html
Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net
Mar. 13 [1862].--Went to the city & got things for my electrical machine...
Mar. 27--Got marching orders, struck our tents and tore everything to pieces...
Mar. 27--Got marching orders, struck our tents and tore everything to pieces...
April 17.--Got paid $24.00. Went to Arlington House and got an old battery.
April 19.--Went to Washington with G. D. Hayes & stopped over night. Bought an old battery from a dealer.
June 5.--Sent to Thomas Hall $22.09 for
Key $3.00
Spring Register 15.00
2 Main Batteries 3.24
1/2 lb. mercury .35
Hall's book on Telegraphy .50
------
$22.09
Received the above all safe June 16 with the present of a nice book from Hall. Also the express bill, $1.00, which I sent the 18th.
April 19.--Went to Washington with G. D. Hayes & stopped over night. Bought an old battery from a dealer.
June 5.--Sent to Thomas Hall $22.09 for
Key $3.00
Spring Register 15.00
2 Main Batteries 3.24
1/2 lb. mercury .35
Hall's book on Telegraphy .50
------
$22.09
Received the above all safe June 16 with the present of a nice book from Hall. Also the express bill, $1.00, which I sent the 18th.
March 23, 1863.--Sent to T. B. Peterson & Bro., Philadelphia, for "French without a Master."
Apr. 22.--Sent to Parsells for a Craig Microscope.
May 30.--Sent to Thomas Hall $18.70 for
6 Groves Batteries $12.00
Silliman's Chemistry 2.00
Platers 1.00
2 lbs. copper wire 2.50
1 lb. mercury .70
Apr. 22.--Sent to Parsells for a Craig Microscope.
May 30.--Sent to Thomas Hall $18.70 for
6 Groves Batteries $12.00
Silliman's Chemistry 2.00
Platers 1.00
2 lbs. copper wire 2.50
1 lb. mercury .70
[Friday, January 22, 1864] Got some things for electroplating, and if I could get enough work I could make money like smoke. Set my battery up & gave the Sergt a shock... Studied Elect., Metallurgy, Science.
Monday, January 25, 1864.--Plated a chain for John Welsh, put on a good plate. I am going to send for a quart of gold solution to T. Hall, 13 Bromfield St. My battery works first rate. Plated a hook for P. Connors.
Wednesday, January 27, 1864.--...Sent by Handy to T. Hall for one quart gold solution...
Thursday, January 28, 1864.--...Nothing to eat but bread. Rather rough living, but I guess I can stand it.
Friday, January 29, 1864.--Plated Page's belt...
Monday, February 1, 1864.--First plated a chain for Wheeler, and then the butt of a pistol for the sutler. Am going to plate the barrel, too.
Tuesday, February 2, 1864... Worked all day trying to plate a pistol for the sutler; got all discouraged. Tried more than forty times, could not get it to go.
Wednesday, February 3, 1864.--Fussed all day with the sutler's pistol. It won't plate a bit. I never saw such a trial in my life...
Thursday, February 4, 1864... I worked all day on the pistol; no success. I am about distracted. Made two new solutions; no success. Broke the jar of one of my batteries, and thus things go. Hobbs can't make my things work.
Friday, February 5, 1864.--...Worked all day on the pistol, but it is no go yet. Don't know what I shall do with the plaguy thing.
Saturday, February 6, 1864.--Fussed with the pistol. Came to the sublime conclusion that the battery is not strong enough, so I will get some more acid and try that...
Monday, February 8, 1864.--Sent to the city for one lb. of nitric acid. Worked on the old pistol. Great signs of success. Set up three of my batteries and I guess it will go now. I never had such a torment in my life, and hope I never shall again. [Seeing as how he'll be captured in three months and die at Andersonville, I'm afraid his hope won't come true.]
Tuesday, February 9, 1864.--Finished the sutler's pistol. He paid me 75 cts. I had a heap of trouble with it, and poisoned my hand. It is pretty sore, but I am glad to get the job off my hands. Think I almost prefer the poison.
Monday, January 25, 1864.--Plated a chain for John Welsh, put on a good plate. I am going to send for a quart of gold solution to T. Hall, 13 Bromfield St. My battery works first rate. Plated a hook for P. Connors.
Wednesday, January 27, 1864.--...Sent by Handy to T. Hall for one quart gold solution...
Thursday, January 28, 1864.--...Nothing to eat but bread. Rather rough living, but I guess I can stand it.
Friday, January 29, 1864.--Plated Page's belt...
Monday, February 1, 1864.--First plated a chain for Wheeler, and then the butt of a pistol for the sutler. Am going to plate the barrel, too.
Tuesday, February 2, 1864... Worked all day trying to plate a pistol for the sutler; got all discouraged. Tried more than forty times, could not get it to go.
Wednesday, February 3, 1864.--Fussed all day with the sutler's pistol. It won't plate a bit. I never saw such a trial in my life...
Thursday, February 4, 1864... I worked all day on the pistol; no success. I am about distracted. Made two new solutions; no success. Broke the jar of one of my batteries, and thus things go. Hobbs can't make my things work.
Friday, February 5, 1864.--...Worked all day on the pistol, but it is no go yet. Don't know what I shall do with the plaguy thing.
Saturday, February 6, 1864.--Fussed with the pistol. Came to the sublime conclusion that the battery is not strong enough, so I will get some more acid and try that...
Monday, February 8, 1864.--Sent to the city for one lb. of nitric acid. Worked on the old pistol. Great signs of success. Set up three of my batteries and I guess it will go now. I never had such a torment in my life, and hope I never shall again. [Seeing as how he'll be captured in three months and die at Andersonville, I'm afraid his hope won't come true.]
Tuesday, February 9, 1864.--Finished the sutler's pistol. He paid me 75 cts. I had a heap of trouble with it, and poisoned my hand. It is pretty sore, but I am glad to get the job off my hands. Think I almost prefer the poison.
Friday, March 25, 1864... Tried my revolving magnet.
Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net
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