[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”. Officer’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Tuesday February 28, 1865. Williams Githens writes to his wife, in part: “ … You seem to be getting along pretty well thought I am afraid Willis is having rather a hard time of it I think you show very good judgment in treating him - I wish you would read more and make yourself familiar with medicines it may some day be very valuable to you … I was quite surprised to learn of so many going to the Army. … I am gaining in health very fast and am making preparations to start to New York in the morning …” Usual folds. Some very light soiling. 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. Four pages, 5” x 8”. Head Quarters 14th A.C. Sherman’s Army Blair’s Landing S.C. Sunday March 19, 1865. William Githens writes to his wife, in part: “ … I am getting quite stout again for which I am very thankful - for this would be a rather unpleasant place to be sick in - the days are getting hot enough and we are annoyed very much with little gnats that bite as keen as mosquitoes … I have a nice tent and a pretty good bed - made of forks and poles covered with Spanish Moss and blankets … we are anxiously looking for orders to join our commands for nothing can be done till we do - not even to get pay resign get leave of absence or anything … The boat has just come in and I’ll go down and see what the news is - I am looking for brother Joe on it - he has been at Savannah on duty and was to have been here yesterday but did not come I will have a god place for him and but little to do …”

[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”. Field Hospital Reverve Corps. Near Chattanooga Tenn. November 5, 1863.William Githens writes to his wife, in part: “ … We expected to be quite busy today having received orders last night to have our wounded ready to move early this morning - So we made a list of all who were able to travel and get them ready but it commenced raining - and no ambulance came … they were to be sent a few miles down the river and then by boat to Bridgeport -Boats cannot get quite to Chattanooga for the Rebels who are still on Look Out Mountain- We have orders also to move the entire field hospital nearer the River in order to be convenient to supplies and boats it will be quite a task to move the poor fellows who can not be moved in bed without screaming with pain - I can’t see how we will do it without causing a great deal of suffering - we think the order a very foolish one… I don’t know where the new Hospital will be but I think about two miles from here those men who are left will all have to be carried on litters and with a great deal of care … there seems to be no prospect of more fighting for the time although there is cannonading every day - I don’t know what the Rebs keep up their firing for - they don’t hurt or scare anybody … there is some talk of sending a Medical Officer to the North in charge of wounded paroled prisoners - I hope I will be the lucky one for that … ” Usual folds. Overall Fine.

Steamship and railroad promoter; Capitalist. Founder f the family fortune which exists yet today, Vanderbilt stands as one of the greatest American capitalists in Amerian history. Autograph Receipt Signed, “C. Vanderbilt.” One page, 8” x 2 ½”. May 30, 1828. The receipt reads, in part: “Received … 30 May 1828 … one hundred dollars … in full … C. Vanderbilt.”

“Commodore” CORNELIUS VANDERBILT (1794-1877). Vanderbilt was a steamship and railroad promoter who founded the family fortune that exists to this day. He began at age sixteen as the owner-operator of a small ferryboat which ran between Staten Island and New York City. Autograph Document Internally Signed, “C. Vanderbilt.” One page, 7 3/4” x 4 3/4”. New Brunswick. January 5, 1824. The document acknowledges receipt of a payment from Vanderbilt. Docketing on verso. Fine.

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, 1864. 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 … ”