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The Civil War Letters of Dr. Daniel Garrison Brinton, Surgeon in Charge at the US Army General Hospital in Quincy

2022; University of Illinois Press; Volume: 115; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5406/23283335.115.4.04

2328-3335

Jonathan White, Michael Dwight Sparks,

History of Medical Practice

DANIEL GARRISON BRINTON was an important medical figure in the nineteenth century. Born in 1837 in Chester County, Pennsylvania—on a farm that had been in his family since 1684—he graduated from Yale in 1858 and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1860 before traveling to Europe in 1861 to study at Paris and Heidelberg. Upon returning to the United States, he entered the Union Army in August 1862, becoming surgeon-in-chief of the First Division of the Eleventh Corps in the Army of the Potomac. He witnessed the fighting at Chancellorsville firsthand and worked in a field hospital in “a large brick mansion” near the Rappahannock River. He wrote, “I borrowed a case of instruments & went to work. Not many of the cases were severe, but they were abundant. Here we staid all day, & slept at night under a wagon, the forest burning all round us and the din of battle continually sounding in our ears.”1After this first experience of combat, Brinton was convinced that Union soldiers lacked the mettle of their Confederate adversaries. “The fact is, humiliating as it is to confess, I don't believe our men can fight like the rebels,” he wrote. “The latter, of whom we captured a number, are wiry, healthy looking fellows, by no means the half starved ragamuffins I expected to see. They are all gritty to the backbone, as the saying is, & tell us we can kill but never conquer them. I believe it. They fight like tigers, & proved on this occasion that they could take as well as keep earthworks. We had every advantage & were driven in disgracefully.”2Two months after Chancellorsville, Brinton found himself at Gettysburg tending to wounded soldiers at the Eleventh Corps hospital at the George Spangler farm. Among those he cared for was Confederate general Lewis Armistead and Harriet Beecher Stowe's son, Fred. He worked in the Spangler barn almost nonstop from July 1 to 5. “My experience at Chancellorsville was nothing compared to this & I never wish to see such another sight,” he wrote in a letter to his mother a few days later. “To add to the scene a heavy rain came up on the fourth & many of the wounded were drenched to the skin & lay writhing with pain in the mud & barn yard water. The surgeons worked night & day but were insufficient in numbers to accomplish everything. For myself I think I never was more exhausted.” He concluded, “Hardened as surgeons must get to the sight of suffering, I confess it was with a feeling of intense relief that I got my orders to leave this place where groans & cries had been resounding in my ears for days.”3After the Eleventh Corps moved west to join the Army of the Cumberland in late 1863, Brinton saw action at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge. He served as medical director of the Eleventh Corps until April 1864, when he was “disabled from active service by sunstroke,” which forced him to leave the front.4 He spent the remainder of the war as surgeon-in-charge of the US Army General Hospital in Quincy, Illinois, which consisted of five buildings in the city.5In the Midwest, Brinton made keen observations about his surroundings. He wrote frequently about financial investments, race, politics, religion, hospital work, and the Sanitary Fair—a charitable event intended to raise money in support of soldiers. In the fall of 1864, political feelings were running high throughout the North as the presidential election drew near. In June, the Republicans had re-nominated Abraham Lincoln for president on a platform calling for a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery in the United States. In August, the Democrats met at Chicago, where they nominated Union general George B. McClellan, a pro-war Democrat, for president, and George H. Pendleton, an antiwar congressman from Ohio, for vice president. Led by Ohio Peace Democrat Clement L. Vallandigham, the convention adopted a Peace platform that called the Union war effort a “failure.” Throughout much of the campaign, Lincoln was convinced that he would lose reelection, but after Union general William T. Sherman captured Atlanta in early September, it became clear that Lincoln would win reelection.6Throughout his time in the service, Brinton wrote to his parents in Pennsylvania. The following letters, which are held at the Chester County History Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania, report on Brinton's time in Quincy. We have kept our transcriptions as close to the originals as possible. Fortunately, Brinton's penmanship is generally quite legible. In a few instances we inserted letters, words, or punctuation in brackets to provide clarity for the reader. United States General Hospital, Quincy, Ill., Aug. 15 1864.Dear pap:Our drought here is continuing, and is one of the most persistent know[n] to the experience of the oldest inhabitant. It does not extend far into the country, so the farmers have not suffered much, and as after all except for the dust, to the citizens clear weather is always more pleasant than rain, we have no reason to complain. We are in the midst of watermelon time. They are abundant and sweet, though not very large. They are also cheap, and are the only articles of food that are so. The markets here are not however, so high as with you. Very good eggs are to be bought at 12 & 13 cts, and I only pay 30 for my butter.The horse I purchased is turning out very well. When it first reached me, she was lame in one foot and the stable keeper thought her foundered, but I feel sure it was nothing more than faulty shoeing. I hope to train her to fast travelling and finally make a good thing out of her.I see that the limit of time for converting the 7.30s into 6s of 1881 is drawing to a close.7 Will you please make the conversion of those of mine you bought in the spring. There is at present no other way that I see of investing the money. I suppose you thought my views on government finance were “coppery,”8 but they will prove correct. The failure of the new loan is another omen. To be sure there have been 8 or 10 millions taken, but those inside the ring are aware that this was done by banks with the stipulation that the interest was to be paid monthly by the gov't. Indeed as an investment, it is impossible that this should become popular when Chase's 10–40 loan at 5 pr. ct. is at present rates paying 12 pr ct in paper.9 No business man here puts his money in these securities. Real estate here can be made to pay 8 pr ct and if it only pays 4, it is better to practice a voluntary economy now than an involuntary one hereafter. The general opinion on politics through this state is pretty clearly anti-administration, and from the enthusiastic McClellan meeting in New York, I suspect it is not far different in the east. Indeed the ultra-peace party are strongly represented here. Gen. Singleton10 who you may have noticed addressed a meeting of ultra democrats in New York a fortnight since is a resident of the place and a leader in politics. He was my first acquaintance in the city, singularly enough, and though of course differing very widely in opinions, is a most gentlemanly and intelligent man.I receive the Republican11 regularly and read it always with pleasure. It seems there are not many bidders for it. I heard from Elbridge12 that you and his father were somewhat interested in it by way of ownership. What do you ask for it?Ma's letters safely came to hand a few days since and the book also. She seems to have penetrated at a glance my specious reason for wanting the latter. I must confess she hit the nail on the head that time.I continue well, and notwithstanding the unusual protraction of the heated term, the health both in the town and hospitals is unusually excellent.Tell me when you write how the boys have turned out with their crops this harvest. The tobacco throughout the whole west is almost a failure so if it is good in Penna. look out for big profits. Give my love to all the family & believe me always Yr affectnly D.G.B. United States General Hospital, Quincy, Ill., Aug 22 1864.Dear Ma:Things are progressing here sufficiently quietly. Once in a while we have a mild scare from guerillas, but it passes off ever without blood shed. Last week however, in consequence of a rumor to the effect that there was a camp of two or three hundred forming from Missouri refugees (rebels) this side of the river some twenty five or thirty miles north of it, we went so far as to despatch a messenger to Genl Heintzelman13 at Columbus, O. calling his attention to the necessity of protecting this outlying portion of his Department. The General received the delegate with great courtesy and seemed quite impressed by some of the facts he had to divulge. Nor did he end here, but sent that very day Brig. Genl. Paine14 to erect a military district in Illinois with provisional powers to constitute this the headquarters of a sub-district and garrison post, if deemed advisable. The Gen'l has not yet reached us, but we look for him to day. I did not know before that we were so far west. Quincy is sixty five miles nearer the setting sun than St. Louis, a fact that had never occurred to me before. I confess to regarding the alarm as quite unfounded, but I aided the movement thinking that in view of the strong political sentiment here and the coming draft, a few soldiers would add to the salubrity of the atmosphere during the coming month.I am progressing favorably with my hospital, and now have the new one nearly completed.15 The other day there was a strike among the washerwomen of whom I employ 12. Two left off hand, and the others gave me notice they would quit the end of the month. With a wash of 3000 to 4000 pieces a week, the crisis looked disagre[e]able. I had been giving $10.00 a month, they struck for $12.00.They were all Irish, and I found all persuasion vain. There is a contraband camp near the city where some hundred of runaway slaves from Missouri are kept by government.16 Without mentioning my design, I went to the commander, had him give me the names of a number of strapping negro women whom he promised to turn incontinently out of doors if they refused to work for me, and fortified by these reserves in case of extremity, went to the laundry and told the women that unless they would agree to continue on at present prices, and in addition to that obtain two more at once, I should discharge every one of them on the spot and give the work to black women. There was a considerable and forcible expenditure of Irish brogue employed for a while, but they were evidently cornered and returned to their work with commendable diligence. Next morning the two required, appeared, and since then everything is working most harmoniously.17I continue to enjoy the society here. Last week I attended an entertainment at Senator Browning,18 who, you may remember, supplied Douglas’ place in Congress. His wife is one of the leaders in charity and society here, a lady very much after the Mrs Heister19 style, a “four hoss team” as the Yankees express it. Mr. Browning is a very prominent political personage here and indeed is currently spoken of as a possible nominee for vice president at the Chicago convention, his views being of the War Democratic stamp, quite conservative, however.The reigning topic in social life here is the approaching Fair. Quincy is to get up one of its own this next October (11th), and as there is a sort of rivalry between it and one to be held at Decatur in this state in September, great activity prevails. Even your affectionate son, contrary to all precedent, has been induced to “use his influence” to see if something might not be obtained from the east and I contemplate an eloquent appeal to Chrissie20 to contribute one of her paintings. A contribution from yourself too will be very welcome. To give you an idea of what it is I enclose a circular. If you will send anything, address it to me and I will pay expressage. Give my love to all the family, and believe me ever Yours affectionately DGB United States General Hospital, Quincy, Ill., Aug 29 1864.Dear pap:Your letter of the 20th reached me a few days ago. I am still quite busy in arranging the new hospital. Last week I received another lot of patients. The surgeon who came with them told me however that he much doubted whether I would be filled up, as there were a great many vacant beds in St. Louis and not a large number of wounded coming from the south. It seems that the preparations for repairing the wounded frames of our men were greater that [than?] those of our enemies for destroying and mutilating them. Certainly the balance is on the right side however.This is the first day of the Chicago convention, and the city is deserted by all the veteran political hacks and ardent advocates of the base metal hue, they having gone to attend the convocation of harpies there assembled. It is certainly to be regarded as one of the most important meetings in our history. The Administration has very obviously lost ground in the west during the last few months, and unless a most energetic attempt is made by its supporters, a popular candidate of the opposition would run it off the field without a doubt.21I am quite a regular attendant of the Episcopal church here. The minister, Dr. Strong,22 was formerly an army chaplain under McClellan on the peninsula. He is a man above the average in ability, but not so popular as he otherwise would be on account of his admiration for his old commander. Nevertheless, he has the discretion not to bring anything of that kind into his sermons. There are some interesting families among the congregation with some of whom I am on terms of good acquaintanceships. We were speaking the other day about the second advent, in which there is always a good deal of interest. I mentioned the interpretation of Daniel offered by Mr Newton,23 and as what I recollected of it excited a curiosity to hear more, I promised to send for his book. I shall be obliged to you, therefore, if you will please forward me a copy per mail.They are all very busy here in Sanitary Fair matters.24 I have been appointed on the “Skating Park Committee.” This is not an actual icy pond as you may imagine from its name, but is a transparent table surrounded by mirrors on which a number of small figures are seen to move, impelled by a mechanical contrivance, which figures being reflected in the mirrors, gives the impression of a countless company. I do not know particularly what my duties are except to wind up the clockwork and “ ’xplain and ’spound,” but as in these arduous labors I am assisted by two of the prettiest young ladies in town, I heroically resign myself to the task with a devotion that certainly could not to be expended in a better cause.25I shall have some money to put out in October—about a thousand dollars—and if you learn any favorable investment, I wish you would mention it. I could invest it here to some advantage but it would be so far away from where I shall probably live, that I hesitate to do so.Every few weeks Elbridge McConkey spends a few hours with us. His family are still at Canton but I expect he will return East in the fall. With love to all I remain Your affectionate Son D.G.B. U.S. Genl Hosp Quincy Ills Sept 12 1864Dear Ma,Yours written on the eve of starting for the shore reached me about a week since.26 I have been having a very busy time for the last fortnight. I never had so much business to do in my life. Both my hospital Stewards have been sick, and as on them the large burden of labor general[ly] falls I have been obliged to turn in and do it myself. We have had pay rolls and muster rolls and numerous reports to make out, besides an unusual press of incidental work. Amid this latter was the murder of one of the soldiers here. He was shot by a gambler on the streets, and died in 48 hours. I made an examination of the body and found the ball passed directly through the heart. It is a wonder he lived so long. The patients were much excited about it and muttered vengeance so loud and deep, that the day after it occurred the sheriff and Mayor sent for me in apprehension that the jail would be broken open and the culprit lynched. By taking proper precautions, however, such an unfortunate event was prevented. Large knots of soldiers collected in front of the jail and on the street corners near, and had any one dared to assume the responsibility of leadership, the murderer's life would have been brief indeed. I sent several trusty men among them to induce them quietly to disperse and return to the different hospitals, which finally succeeded.I have just received your note enclosed in Chrissie's letter. Thank you for your exertions. The box should be started about the 20th or 25th of this month. The cookies I have by no means outgrown my ancient penchant for.We had quite an entertaining exhibition here the other night by the young ladies of the city for the Benefit of one of their number, a pretty and talented but poor young lady, who had contributed largely to various entertainments of the Charitable societies. It was of (living) statuary, tableaux, singing etc. The same troupe is going to the Illinois State Sanitary Fair this week to give an exhibition for its benefit. The Fair is at Decatur, about 200 miles east of Quincy. Being in that line at present I intend taking a French leave of a couple of days and running over their [there] to see the turn out.27 The State Agricultural Society holds its annual Exhibition there at the same time, so I can see both.You ask me for what I visited the soldier up in Fulton Co. He was sick and unable to travel and I was sent up as the nearest Army Surgeon to make the necessary examination for his Discharge.The alarm we experienced a short time ago in reference to guerillas attacking us here has now blown over and we hear nothing more of them. Politics are commencing to run quite high, but as for myself, not proposing to vote, I interest myself very little[.] Moreover, I really don't know whom I would vote for. The most influential men in Quincy are War Democrats.Sorry to hear Fred28 is sick. I presume he overworked himself in the heat. We have had some singularly hot weather this month. I find myself quite unable to stand the sun, even for a short time, although the heat alone has no unpleasant effects. I shall have to resign if I am assigned to field duty; there seems no other way. Did you forget to send me Dr Newton's Book on the Prophecies? I have not received it. Love to all Yrs Dan[P.S.] I have not seen a single peach this year. I hear there are great numbers in the east, but the cold killed all the trees out west last winter. I shall answer Chrissie's letter as soon as I can get the time. DGB U.S. Genl Hosp Quincy Ills Sept 30 /64Dear pap:The letter from ma accompanying the box of things, and the box itself reached me yesterday. I opened it with pleased surprise at so many nice things and have no doubt the ladies in charge of that Department will send their particular thanks as soon as they see them. I will observe ma's directions in regard to them and will mind and tell her the particulars of their disposition. The cakes also came safely, and still have the old smack about them. I find that my ancient penchant for them is still as strong as ever. My work commences to day—the last of the month—as the reports and returns I make monthly all come at this time and keep us all just as busy as possible for a week or ten days. Nevertheless, one day this week I had time to go some 12 or 14 miles up the Bottom to a series of lakes, duck hunting. We had tolerable luck, though the season is so dry that there is nothing like the number usually found. My companion was a son of Col. Cox29 of this city himself from near Philadelphia and a cousin of Judge Cox30 of Spruce St, who, you remember married one of Geo. Brinton's sisters. Consequently we are a sort of relations. The Col. is an agre[e]able and hospitable man and has a very pretty place on the edge of the town. His son Harry, my hunting companion, is also an ardent hunter of Indian antiquities, and of course then he meets me on my native heath. We have struck up quite an intimacy on the strength of such congenial tastes. While on our hunt the other day we visited some mounds on the shore of a beautiful body of water, known as Indian Grave Lake, where we obtained some fine specimens of ancient relics, and saw one quite extraordinary indeed,—a silver cross of antique make, exhumed from the mounds by a settler. We offered him far more than its intrinsic value but he firmly refused to dispose of it. We however propose trying it again, and have laid a scheme to hold out glittering proposals to his wife, when he is absent, as it was plain she entertained no particular veneration for it, but had even the vandalism to say that she thought some of having it melted up into a nice teaspoon! Imagine the suppressed indignation and wrath of two ardent antiquaries on hearing such a proposal!My horse is turning out very well indeed, and I think I can sell it for much more than I gave for it. I shall have about a thousand dollars to invest this fall. Can you give me any advice as to what is the best investment now to be had? I have 700 dollars in bank here and about 300 should be with McConkey this next month.—Elbridge has been here for the past day or two but I have not seen him. He called but I was out. His wife & child will be here during the fair.Every one here has of late been on the anxious bench about the draft. It is now completed. Substitutes are from 800 to 1200 dollars, and rather scarce at those figures. Politics are growing warm, but I keep out of them. Nevertheless, the Democratic paper here informed its readers yesterday that a vote had been taken in the hospitals, and that the Surgeon in Charge was sending all who voted for McClellan to the front, whether fit or not, and keeping those who voted for Lincoln until election! Yet I have not told a person here what my political preferences are! Although of course it was quite untrue, I would not correct it. But my paper has come to an end so with much love to all I close. Your affectionate Son DGB Quincy Ills Oct 20 /64Dear Ma:Finally our task is over and our occupation gone. We now seek “to interpose a little ease,”31 and I for one have a plan laid to go a few miles up the river to day to spend the rest of the week in the pursuit of ducks. The net proceeds of the Fair will amount probably to over twenty thousand dollars. Day before yesterday I handed over to the Cashier the returns from my Department. They reached the sum of $190.16, and when including a certain portion spent in necessary expenses, we made altogether, over 200 dollars. Quite well considering the low price of admission,—2 for a quarter. The main feature of the exhibition was raffling. Every body had something to dispose of in this way, and of course everybody invested. I never in my life had any luck at games of chance, and my usual fortune held with great consistency. I really don't know in how many I took tickets, and all I drew was a little locket or case to hold an ambrotype and an enormous pair of dog-irons, so huge and heavy that I strove in vain to get any one to take them off my hands and finally in mere despair, deserted and disclaimed them. There were several very fine prizes drawn, a handsome Knabe piano valued at 800 dollars, a buggy and sleigh of elegant pattern, some saddlery of uncommon finish and a great many other articles “too numerous to mention.” There was a small paper printed each day,—two of them in fact, one by the Sanitary and the other by the Freedmen's Dep't, for it was by the union of both these charitable societies that the fair was organized. I send you a copy of one of these papers.But I presume if I keep on you will consider me quite fair struck so I'll change the subject.Now that the weather is getting cold I begin to feel the need of winter clothing. Will you please pack up my heavy flannel undershirts, drawers, stockings &c and forward them to me by express as soon as you can. I should be glad to have any other winter clothing that is at home forwarded at the same time as everything of the kind is excessively dear this fall. Please put in the box, also, those heavy cavalry boots that came in the bag from Indianapolis, and if you were to add another instal[l]ment of ginger cakes, I shall be most happy to receive them. The lady with whom I board and to whom I gave some was highly pleased with them, and expressed herself anxious to get the recipe.Your contributions I may add were all disposed of either by purchase or raffle at the prices affixed. The chair tidy sent by Nettie32 was bought by a lady, a Mrs Woodruff,33 at whose house I am a frequent visitor and who was very much pleased with it.I am in considerable haste this morning so I shall not write more at length. With much loveYr affectionate sonDGB Quincy Ills Nov 1 /64Dear Pap:I send you in the same mail with this a Copy of the Chicago Tribune of last Thursday. It contains an article from the pen of Bishop Whitehouse, of this Diocess [sic]. I think it will interest you. You will see we have a Bishop here, whom it is somewhat perilous to meddle with, even for a Judge of the Supreme Bench, as, in this instance, his opponent is. The discussion between two such eminent members of their respective professions excites a great interest in the state, & I think, most grant that the church militant is winner this time. The Mr. Cracaft34 referred to was formerly I believe of the Church of Epiphany, Philadelphia. Bishop W. by the radical republicans is eyed with suspicion, inasmuch as he is so far behind the times as to maintain that churches were instituted for the preaching of the Gospel, and not for delivering political declamations.I have been worked extremely hard the last few days, making out furloughs for all soldiers able to go home and vote.35 I have moreover received two hundred and fifty new patients, and all things crowding on at once leave me little time for recreation. When they get off, however, there will be quite a lull, and I even have some idea of applying for a 10 dys leave, for the purpose of rest, and running around a little.There is a strong under current of political feeling here, and some difficulties are anticipated from the violence of parties. The Union League36 made application to me to day for arms, to be employed if necessary. I considered the request absurd but could not well do otherwise than promise that they should have them, likewise if necessary. The different constructions we may see fit to place on these words, will, I anticipate, prevent any serious results. The Democrats here are so much in the majority that they will not have to seek recourse in violent measures to carry the district. No one, however, expects the general election will result otherwise than in the continuance of Lincoln in office.I shall be glad to hear from you soon as to what you would advise for investment. I must have about $300.00 in Mr. McConkey's hands & yours by this time. I have about $900.00 in bank here which I will send you if you can find a place for it. Otherwise I intend investing it here, in stock and produce, or U.S. Bonds. If I was sure of remaining here, I would put it in the first mentioned articles. With love to all I remain Your affectionate Son DGBLewis Brinton, Esq West Chester PennaBrinton was promoted to the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel in August 1865. The following month, on September 28, he married Sarah Mariah Tillson (1844–1933) of Quincy. After being honorably discharged from the service later that year, he returned home to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he practiced medicine.37 Why his surviving correspondence at the Chester County History Center ends a year before his discharge is unknown.Over the ensuing decades, Brinton earned renown as an anthropologist and linguist. While in private medical practice, he edited the Medical and Surgical Reporter and the Compendium of Medical Science. In 1884, he was appointed a professor of enthology and archaeology at the American Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and in 1886 he became a professor of archaeology and linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania. He wrote or edited dozens of books and pamphlets about Indigenous peoples in the Americas. At the time his work was considered pathbreaking, although much of it was rooted in widely held cultural beliefs about white supremacy. In his final years, he became a socialist. As one scholar has noted, “At the same time Brinton began to write scientific essays that seemingly promoted racial and gender inferiority, he appears to have become more politically radical, to have adopted certain socialist values, and to have been embraced by people who were committed to socialism and anarchist communism.” One acquaintance wrote shortly after Brinton's death: “At one period Brinton was a bigoted antagonist of industrial [socialist] revolution. I had encounters with him when the brute power of his prejudice astonished me. But in his mellower final years all such rudimentary quality seems to have gone out of his composition.”38When Brinton died in 1899, the Philadelphia Public Ledger reported that his death was “a loss not merely to Philadelphia, but to the entire world. . . . Dr. Brinton was a man of unusual scientific attainments” and “a pioneer in his chosen field of science.” The University of Pennsylvania similarly considered him the “Founder of American Anthropology.”39 While his postwar professional career has been largely forgotten, these letters restore one aspect of his life to readers with an interest in the history of central Illinois during the Civil War.