Dickie, John N., b. ca. 1843.

John N. Dickie was born c. 1843 in Sunbury, Ohio. His father was a clergyman. He enlisted as a private in the Ohio 25th Infantry, Co. G, in July of 1861. He was transferred to the Ohio 75th Volunteer Infantry, Co. C, in January 1864. He mustered out on July 16, 1864, on the expiration of his term of service and returned home to Ohio, before setting out on a career in public lecturing (topic not disclosed). However, he failed to attract many listeners and fell into debt. He returned home and tried to sell books. With few other options, he sought re-enlistment in Army, Navy, or United States service. The Navy accepted him and placed him on a gunboat on the Mississippi River.

From the guide to the John N. Dickie diaries, Dickie, John N. diaries, 1863-1865, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)