Surgeons at Gettysburg

December 4, 2013 in Other News / Events, Research

I’ve been researching the surgeons at Gettysburg field hospitals for inclusion in Pocket Gettysburg. One of the best sources is “A Vast Sea of Misery” by Gregory A. Coco (Gettsyburg: Thomas Publications, 1988). As always when I add a new source to Pocket Gettysburg, I try to reconcile that new data with the my previous sources, including especially the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) and the inscriptions on battlefield monuments.

Using the exact spelling of the names in “A Vast Sea of Misery,” some of the surgeons were not found in those other sources. But in the subset of cases listed below I found some other evidence of his possible identity. While I don’t have any plans to research these people further, the data is recorded here for posterity in the hopes that it helps some future researchers.

UNION SURGEONS
Name Org./Hospital Comments
Adams, Z.B. Surgeon, 32nd Mass. Inf. Hospital: regt. aid station near Wheatfield Recorded in the CWSS as “Zabdiel B. Adams”. Link
Akin, Jno. 71st Pa. Inf. Hospital: 2nd Div., 2nd Corps Recorded in the CWSS as “John Aiken”. Link
Bache, Thomas H. U.S. Volunteers Listed as a surgeon and Staff Officer on the PA State Memorial.
Ball, J. Alfred 50th Ohio Inf. Hospital: 2nd Div., 12th Corps The 50th OH Inf. was not at Gettysburg. This is almost certainly the surgeon identified by the CWSS as “Alfred J. Ball” of the 5th Ohio Inf. (2D, 12C). Link
Beck Hospital: Presbyterian Church Other than John H. Beech of the 24th Michigan (see next), the CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AOP* with a similar** surname: “Elias W. H. Beck” of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. Of course, Coco did not say that this surgeon was in the army. Link
Beech, John H. 24th Mich. Inf. Hospital: Express Office (see above) Link
Brown The CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AOP with a similar surname: Edward A. Brown of the 120th NY Inf. Link
Burchfield, James P. 83rd Pa. Inf. Hospital: Cared for Col. S. Vincent at L.A. Bushman Farm Recorded on the PA State Memorial as “J.P. Burchfield” (83rd PA Inf.) but CWSS has a surgeon “James P. Burchfield” in the 53rd PA Inf. Link
Burr, W.J. Surgeon, 47th N.Y. Inf. Hospital: 2nd Div., 2nd Corps The 47th NY Inf. was not at Gettysburg. This is almost certainly the surgeon identified by the CWSS as “William J. Burr” of the 42nd NY Inf. (2D, 2C). Link
Campbell, Cornelius M. 150th N.Y. Inf. Hospital: Abraham Spangler Farm Recorded in the CWSS as “Cornelius N. Campbell”. Link
Chamberlain, Cyrus N. Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: Med. Officer in Charge of 6th Corps Hosp., and Camp Letterman The CWSS lists a surgeon “Cyrus N. Chamberlain” who was at one time attached to the 1st MA Inf. Link
Chambers, William B. Hospital: Surgeon in Charge, 2nd Div., 1st Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “William B. Chambers” who was at one time attached to the 97th NY Inf. (2D, 1C). Link
Cooper, W.S. Surgeon, 125th N.Y. Inf. Recorded in the CWSS as “William S. Cooper”. Link
Davis, U.Q. Surgeon, 148th Pa. Inf. Hospital: 1st Div., 2nd Corps Recorded in the CWSS as “Uriah Q. Davis”. Link
Dwinell, Justin Surgeon, 108th Pa. Inf. Hospital: Med. Officer in Charge of Corps Hosp., 2nd Corps Recorded in CWSS as “Justin Dwinelle” and on the PA State Memorial as “J. Dwinelle”. Link
Dougherty, Alexander N. Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: Med. Director of 2nd Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Alexander Dougherty” who was at one time attached to the 4th NJ Inf. Link
Fifield, Amos K. 7th Ohio Inf. Hospital: 2nd Div., 12th Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Amos K. Fifield” who was at one time attached to the 29th OH Inf. Link
Gunn Civilian Physician from Michigan, Although a civilian according to Coco, the CWSS lists a surgeon “Moses Gunn” who was at one time attached to the 5th MI Inf. Link
Humphrey, Charles E. 142nd Pa. Inf. The CWSS lists a surgeon “Charles E. Humphrey” in the 143rd PA Inf. Link
Humphrey, William F. Surgeon, 149th Pa. Inf. Hospital: 3rd Div., 1st Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “William T. Humphrey” in the 149th PA Inf. Link
Hursam, Nahum A. Surgeon, 17th Me. Inf. Recorded in the CWSS as “Nahum A. Hersom”. Link
McAbee, H.M. Reynolds’ Staff, 4th Ohio Inf. Hospital: 2nd Corps Hosp., near Round Top, Catherine Guinn Farm This surgeon is listed in the CWSS as “Henry M. McAbee” with alternate names of “Harry M. McAbee” and “H.M. McAbee”. Link
Link
Link
McCabe, H.M. 4th Ohio Inf. Hospital: 3rd Div., 2nd Corps This surname is phonetically the same and therefore almost certainly the same surgeon as the one listed immediately above.
McGregor, Murdock Assistant Surgeon, 33rd Mass. Inf. Hospital: George George House The CWSS lists a surgeon “Murdock McGregor” who was at one time attached to the 20th MA Inf. Link
Meyer, Louis C. 25th Ohio Inf. Hospital: 1st Div., 11th Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Louis G. Meyer” (aka Myer) who was at one time attached to the 25th OH Inf. Link
Link
Neff, Henry K. Surgeon, 8th Pa. (Reserves) Hospital: Poorhouse-taken prisoner The 37th PA Inf. (8th PA Reserves) was not at Gettysburg but the CWSS does list a surgeon “Henry K. Neff” (aka “Henry R. Neff”) who was at one time attached to the 153th PA Inf. Link
Link
Nordquist, Charles J. Surgeon, 83rd N.Y. Inf. Hospital: 2nd Div., 1st Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Charles Nordhouse, Jr.” who was at one time attached to the 83rd NY Inf. Link
Oakley, Lewis W. Surgeon, 2nd N.J. Inf. Hospital: Camp Letterman The CWSS lists a surgeon “Lewis W. Oakley” who was at one time attached to the 4th NJ Inf. Link
Palmer Hospital: Hosp. in Carlisle The CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AOP with a similar surname: “Henry Palmer” of the 7th WI Inf. Of course, Coco does not claim that this surgeon was in the army. Link
Potter, George L. Assistant Surgeon, 5th U.S. Cavalry The CWSS lists a surgeon “George L. Potter” who was at one time attached to the 145th PA Inf. Link
Read, Louis W. Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: 3rd Div., 5th Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Louis W. Read” who was at one time attached to the 1st PA Reserves (30th Vols). (3D, 5C) Link
Rulison, William H. 9th N.Y. Inf. Hospital: Med. Officer in Charge of Corps Hospital, Presbyterian Church The CWSS lists a surgeon “William H. Rulison” who was at one time attached to the 155th PA Cavalry. Link
Russell, Ira Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: 5th Corps, J. Weikert Farm, stayed w/General Weed The CWSS lists a surgeon “Ira Russell” who was at one time attached to the 11th MA Inf. (1B, 2D, 3C). Link
Sanger, Eugene F. U.S. Volunteers Hospital: Presbyterian Church The CWSS lists a surgeon “Eugene F. Sanger” who was at one time attached to the 6th ME Inf. Link
Sharp, W.W. Assistant Surgeon, 140th Pa. Inf. Hospital: 1st Div., 2nd Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “William W. Sharp” who was at one time attached to the 18th PA Cavalry (1B, 3D, CC). Link
Link
Shippen, Edward Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: 1st Div., 5th Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Edward Shippen” who was at one time attached to the 1st PA Light Artillery. Link
Sturdevant, Samuel B. Assistant Surgeon, 139th Pa. Inf. Hospital: Camp Letterman The CWSS lists a surgeon “Samuel B. Sturdevant” (aka “Samuel B. Sturdevent”) who was at one time attached to the 84th PA Inf. Link
Link
Thome, W.H. Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers Hospital: 3rd Div., 11th Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “William H. Thome” who was at one time attached to the 12th PA Reserves (41st Vols.) (3D, 5C). Link
Weidman, William W. 2nd Pa. Cavalry Hospital: “Treated Rebs” The CWSS lists a surgeon “William M. Weidman” who at one time was attached to the 2nd PA Cavalry. Link
Wolf, Fred Surgeon, 39th N.Y. Inf. Hospital: 3rd Div., 2nd Corps Recorded in the CWSS as “Frederich Wolff.” Link
Woodward, A.T. Surgeon Hospital: Surgeon in Charge, 3rd Div., 1st Corps The CWSS lists a surgeon “Adrian T. Woodward” (aka “Adrian F. Woodward”) who at one time was attached to the 14th VT Inf. (3B, 3D, 1C). Link
Link
CONFEDERATE SURGEONS
Baruch, Simon Assistant Surgeon, 3rd S.C. Inf. Hospital: Black Horse Tavern The CWSS lists a surgeon “Simon Baruch” who was at one time attached to the 13th MS Inf. Link
Black The only surgeon listed in the CWSS in the AONV* with a similar surname** is “Harvey Black” of the 4th VA Inf. Link
Briggs Surgeon, 30th N.C. Inf. The only surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname in the 30th NC Inf. Is “G.W. Briggs”. Link
Clifton, James B. Semmes’ Brigade Hospital: George Rose Barn The CWSS lists a surgeon “James B. Clifton” in the 16th GA Inf. (Wofford’s Brigade). Link
Cullen, J. S. Dorsey Surgeon Hospital: Med. Dir. Longstreet’s Corps, Black Horse Tavern Recorded in the CWSS as “J.S.D. Cullen” who was at one time attached to the 1st VA Inf. Link
Edwards 8th Va. Inf. The only surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname in the 8th VA Inf. is “Richard H. Edwards”. Link
Eldridge McLaws’ Div. Hospital: J. Cunningham Farm The CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AONV with a similar surname: “E. J. Eldridge” (aka “E. J. Eldrige”) who was at one time attached to Cobb’s Legion, the infantry of which was in McLaws’ Division. Link
Link
Gott Hospital: Surgeon in Charge of Early’s Div. The CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AONV with a similar surname: “Louis E. Gott” (aka “Lewis E. Gott”) who was at one time attached to the 21st GA Inf. (Rodes Division). Link
Green 55th N.C. Inf. Hospital: Heth’s Div. Hospital The only surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname in the 55th NC Inf. is “Benjamin T. Green” (aka “B.F. Green”). Link
Link
Hays, J.M. Hospital: Camp Letterman The CWSS lists a surgeon “John M. Hayes” who at one time was attached to the 26th AL Inf. Link
Link
Hubbard Davis’ Brigade Hospital: Samuel Lohr Farm The CWSS lists only one surgeon in the AONV with a similar surname: “H. H. Hubbard” of the 2nd MS Inf. (Davis’ Brigade). Link
Minor, H. A. 8th Ala. Inf., Anderson’s Div. Hospital: Surgeon in Charge, Butt’s Schoolhouse on Fairfield Road. Camp Letterman The CWSS lists a surgeon “H.A. Minor” who at one time was attached to the 9th AL Inf. (Anderson’s Division). Link
Morton Surgeon, Kemper’s Brigade The only surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname in Kemper’s Brigade is “C.B. Morton” who was at one time attached to the 7th VA Inf. Link
Parramore, H.J. Assistant Surgeon, 58th Ga. Inf. The 58th GA Inf. was not at Gettysburg. This is almost certainly the surgeon listed in the CWSS as “H.J. Parramore” who was at one time attached to the 50th GA Inf. Link
Patterson, F.W. Surgeon, McLaws’ Div. Hospital: Surgeon in Charge, Bream’s Mill The CWSS lists a surgeon “Frank W. Patterson” who at one time was attached to the 17th MS Inf. (McLaws’ Division). Link
Pearce, J.F. 18th S.C. Inf. Hospital: Black Horse Tavern for 6 weeks The 18th SC Inf. was not at Gettysburg. The CWSS lists a surgeon “James F. Pearce/Pierce” (aka “James T. Pearce/Pierce”) who at one time was attached to the 8th SC Inf. It also lists a surgeon “J.F. Pearce” who was at one time attached to the 3rd SC Inf. Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Reeves Pickett’s Div. Hospital: Surgeon in Charge at Bream’s Tavern & Farm The only surgeon listed in the CWSS in the AONV with a similar surname is “Landen C. Reeves” (aka “Landon Reeves”) who at one time was attached to the 1st VA Cavalry (Stuart’s Division). Link
Link
Sayers Johnson’s Div. Hospital: Surgeon in Charge The only surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname in Johnson’s Division is “Samuel R. Sayers” who at one time was attached to the 27th VA Inf. Link
Scott 7th Va. Inf. Hospital: 2nd Corps The 7th VA Inf. was in the 1st Corps, AONV at Gettysburg. The CWSS does list a surgeon “Isaac Scott” who was at one time attached to the 7th WV Inf. (1B, 3D, 2C, AOP), however. The only surgeons with a similar name that were listed by the CWSS in the AONV were “A. Howard Scott” who was at one time attached to the 4th AL Inf. (1st Corps) and “A.H. Scott” (aka “A.J. Scott”) who was at one time attached to the 4th TX Inf. (also 1st Corps). Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Spence, W. A. Archer’s Brigade Hospital: Chief Surgeon, Cashtown The CWSS lists a surgeon “William A. Spence/Spince” who was at one time attached to the 47th VA Inf. (Brockenbrough’s Brigade). Link
Link
Stewart Johnson’s Div (?) Hospital: Fairfield Road The only surgeon listed in the CWSS in the AONV with a similar surname is “William F. Steuart/Stewart”) who was at one time attached to the 3rd NC Inf. (Johnson’s Division). Link
Link
Warren (?) 11th or 26th N.C. Inf. (?) Hospital: Chambersburg Road There is no surgeon listed in the CWSS in the 11th NC Inf. with a similar surname. The only surgeon listed in the CWSS in the 26th NC Inf. with a similar surname is “Lewellen P. Warren”. Link
Warren, L. P. Brigade Surgeon, 52nd N.C. Inf. Hospital: Pettigrew’s Brigade The only surgeon listed in the CWSS in the 52nd NC Inf. with a similar surname is “H. Warren”. The only confederate surgeon listed in the CWSS with a similar surname and the initials of “L.P.” was “Lewellen P. Warren” who was at one time attached to the 26th NC Inf. (see above). Link
Link
Watson, Major Alabama Hospital: Dr. M.L. Stoever house The only surgeon listed in the CWSS from an Alabama regiment with a similar surname was “Benjamin F. Watkins” who at one time was attached to the 44th AL Inf. Link

* In the context of this article, “in the AOP” and “in the AONV” means in units of the respective armies which were at Gettysburg.

** All name comparisons are made phonetically.


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