Application submitted to the Naval Examining Board for a position as Assistant Surgeon. 4 pages. Naval Hospital, New York. August 23, 1861. Knorr provided answers to 8 questions concerning subjects such as “the chemical formation of chloroform and dangers from its use” and the therapeutic effects of Digitalis”. Fine medical content.

[CIVIL WAR SURGEON LETTER] WILLIAM HARRISON GITHENS (1827-1904) Surgeon in the Union army during the American Civil War. At the outset of the war, Githens enlisted as an Orderly Sergeant in the 16th Illinois Infantry. During this enlistment, he was stationed in Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and saw very little action. Following his re-enlistment in 1863, Githens was promoted to Assistant Surgeon and served with the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. As a member of the 14th Army Corp . during this second enlistment, he was very active, serving as an assistant surgeon in the Tullahoma operation, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas’ Campaign. Following the war, Githens returned home to Hamilton, Illinois, where he owned a number of pharmacies. ALS. Three pages, 4 7/8” x 8”. Officer’s Hospital Phil. Saturday February 4, 1865. William Githens writes to his wife, in part: “Just one week ago tonight I took up my lodging here, tired and miserable. I am glad to say that considerable improvement has taken place since then - although I still suffer pain - have rather an indifferent appetite and some fever, yet I know that I am on the mend - I walked across the room today for the first time since I came - though I could have done so any day - yet I fell pretty tottery - still I think when I once begin to mend in earnest that I’ll gain rapidly … There are two officers in the room that I am in - both have been wounded and are nearly well and are out most of the time - I get tired of reading - and can’t sleep so if I don’t have company or get well pretty soon I shall have the blue … Wouldn’t I like to be in a nice cozy bed that looks out onto the grand Mississippi - but it won’t do to think of that or I’ll get babyish certain … will close to say good night … ” Usual folds. Slight edge splits to folds. Overall Fine.

[CIVIL WAR SURGEON LETTER] WILLIAM HARRISON GITHENS (1827-1904) Surgeon in the Union army during the American Civil War. At the outset of the war, Githens enlisted as an Orderly Sergeant in the 16th Illinois Infantry. During this enlistment, he was stationed in Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and saw very little action. Following his re-enlistment in 1863, Githens was promoted to Assistant Surgeon and served with the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. As a member of the 14th Army Corp . during this second enlistment, he was very active, serving as an assistant surgeon in the Tullahoma operation, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas’ Campaign. Following the war, Githens returned home to Hamilton, Illinois, where he owned a number of pharmacies. ALS. Githens writes of the suffering and hardship the long war has caused for all: “Head Quarters 1st Division Detachment 14th A.C. , Nashville, Tenn, December 9th 1864 Dear Wife, …it is snowing here today and quite wintry – and the poor boys suffer a good deal in camp – being fragments of Regiments they can’t get tents and clothing as readily as if they were with their own command. – we are lucky enough to get into a house…it gets pretty hard to sleep cold night – but those who have to sleep on the ground are so much worse off than I am that I can hardly complain….Hood is still around the city, but for a day or two things have been quiet…I dreamed last night that Willie was very sick, that he looked like a skeleton and was dying, I can’t but think about him all day ..I hear rumors going around that the officers of the 14th corps are ordered to report to General Sherman by the way of New York or Washington…to think of you being alone and in want has a tendency to dampen one’s patriotism, we will hope for the best however…Wm W.Githens, Assist Surg, 78th Ill, in charge 1st Div. 14th A.C., Nashville Tenn.” 9 ¾x7 ½“ Tiniest amount of foxing, overall Very Fine.

WILLIAM HARRISON GITHENS (1827-1904) Surgeon in the Union army during the American Civil War. At the outset of the war, Githens enlisted as an Orderly Sergeant in the 16th Illinois Infantry. During this enlistment, he was stationed in Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and saw very little action. Following his re-enlistment in 1863, Githens was promoted to Assistant Surgeon and served with the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. As a member of the 14th Army Corp . during this second enlistment, he was very active, serving as an assistant surgeon in the Tullahoma operation, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas’ Campaign. Following the war, Githens returned home to Hamilton, Illinois, where he owned a number of pharmacies. Autograph Letter Signed, “Wm. H. Githens.” Four pages, 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Head Quarters 2nd Brigade 2nd Division 14th A.C. Tyner’s Station Tennessee. February 22, 1864. Githens writes to his wife, in part: “ … I am glad you escaped the fever that you spoke of as prevailing in Keokuk [?] you can not image my anxiety for your welfare it was the first time that I had ever been away on such an occasion and I conjured up all manner of troubles and difficulties … I want you to know that I had made another application for leave of absence it has been approved by all the medical officers of the Division whose duty it is to do such things but I am afraid it will have trouble from that on … there are a great many applications and I expect they will all share the same fate. We are on the eve (that is the whole army) of a great move troops have been moving toward Ringgold all day and our brigade has orders to be ready to march any time. I don’t know whether the whole Division will move or not- or in what direction. I asked to be relieved from duty at the hospital so that I could have a better chance to make application for leave of absence it was granted me and I came up today - You will still understand that the Hospital remains back at the old Camp near Rossville- I don’t know why we have not had orders to move up here … The people are plowing their gardens and fixing up their fences - as though they expected to raise something and be allowed to enjoy it I hope they will and that we will all get to plant and raise gardens. It would seem as much like living to be allowed to have fruit and vegetables fresh and sweet and to eat them off ones own table. We get dried fruit pretty plenty now and have had pretty strong butter most of the time Potatoes have been issued to the men quite liberally for a few weeks we have had considerable krout and pickles - we are very thankful to get a change from the regular Army diet but we are well off compared to the people here they have nothing only as they buy it from our Commissary and that is considerable trouble Most of the people have money how they get it I can’t tell for there doesn’t seem to have been much to sell in some places. They say there are a good many Union people about here and generally intelligent … ”

Application submitted to the Board of Naval Surgeons for a position as Assistant Surgeon. 5 pages. December 20, 1861. Skiff provided answers to 8 questions concerning subjects such as “under what circumstances in labor is ‘turning’ necessary” and “What are the therapeutic uses of the preparations of arsenic?” Skiff enlisted on August 22, 1862. Fine lengthy medical content.

[CIVIL WAR SURGEON LETTER] WILLIAM HARRISON GITHENS (1827-1904) Surgeon in the Union army during the American Civil War. At the outset of the war, Githens enlisted as an Orderly Sergeant in the 16th Illinois Infantry. During this enlistment, he was stationed in Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and saw very little action. Following his re-enlistment in 1863, Githens was promoted to Assistant Surgeon and served with the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. As a member of the 14th Army Corp . during this second enlistment, he was very active, serving as an assistant surgeon in the Tullahoma operation, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas’ Campaign. Following the war, Githens returned home to Hamilton, Illinois, where he owned a number of pharmacies. ALS. Two pages, 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Camp of Detachment 14 A.C. Chattanooga Tennessee. November 22, 1864. William Githens writes to his wife, in part: “ … We have been very uncomfortable several days but finally today although quite cold we have got our fireplace in operation … there is some talk of this Corps being sent to Bridgeport soon - but then of course there is nothing definite till we start. I am very sorry that I did not get back in time to go with my command, but its too late now and I must make the best of it - I am more sorry on account of missing my pay… we have had it so rough lately that I have become more tired of the service than ever but when I can leave it is quite another thing … ” Usual folds. Fine.

[CIVIL WAR SURGEON LETTER] WILLIAM HARRISON GITHENS (1827-1904) Surgeon in the Union army during the American Civil War. At the outset of the war, Githens enlisted as an Orderly Sergeant in the 16th Illinois Infantry. During this enlistment, he was stationed in Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and saw very little action. Following his re-enlistment in 1863, Githens was promoted to Assistant Surgeon and served with the 78th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. As a member of the 14th Army Corp . during this second enlistment, he was very active, serving as an assistant surgeon in the Tullahoma operation, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas’ Campaign. Following the war, Githens returned home to Hamilton, Illinois, where he owned a number of pharmacies. ALS. Four pages, 5” x 8”. On Board Steam Ship Weybosset [?] Broad River Mouth of Pocotaligo River Near Blair’s Landing S.C. Thursday March 23, 1865. William Githens writes to his wife, in part: “We received the long wished for orders last night to be ready to move at day light this morning - went aboard of one of the steam boats peculiar to this country but were a little slow about getting off and the tide got so low that the vessel got aground a few minutes after we started - we did not get transferred to the ship till nearly dark so we are laying at anchor till morning as we have to stop at Hilton Head for orders- we understand our destination is Morehead city above Wilmington N.C. from there I suppose we’ll have to march to Genl Sherman … I am sorry that I did not get to go to Savannah before leaving this part of the country - although I am not at all sorry to leave this miserable swampy country …” Usual folds. Overall Fine.