USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 11
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CHAPTER III. MEDICAL HISTORY.
Organization of Medical Association in 1767-Early Physicians-Names of Members of Medical Society from 1808, with Dates of Admission- List of Presidents and Secretaries front 1808 to 1881-Present Members -Present Officers.
As early as January, 1767, a medical association was formed in this county, composed of the most emi- nent physicians then in practice here. Its object was to establish rules of practice and intercourse, promote medical science by providing for annnal consultations and dissertations, and to protect the reputation of the profession and the health of the community from the inroads of ignorant pretenders to medical science. Among the gentlemen composing this body were Joshua Porter, Lemuel Wheeler, Joseph Perry, Seth Bird, William Abernethy, Samuel Catlin, Simeon Smith, Cyrus Marsh, Ephraim Gittean, John Calhoun, etc. One of the earliest physicians of the county was Oliver Wolcott. He was the son of Hon. Roger Wol- cott, of Windsor, a former Governor of the colony.
He had served as an officer in the French war, and settled himself in Goshen before the organization of the county in the practice of his profession. Whether he continued in practice as a physician after his re- moval to this town is not known ; probably, however, his official duties as sheriff prevented it. He was sub- sequently honored with almost every official place which a good man would covet: he was a member of the House of Representatives, of the Council, a judge of probate, a judge of the County Court, a representative in Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independ- ence, lieutenant-governor and Governor of his native State, and, more than all, the father of an excellent family. He is said to have been a man of uncommon diffidence and distrustful of his own ability. His public communications display sound judgment, and his more confidential correspondence a warm affec- tion and a pure purpose.
DR. SETH BIRD, of Litchfield, probably held the first place among the early physicians of the county. His reputation was widespread. For acuteness of discrimination and soundness of judgment he was not excelled.
DR. JOSEPH PERRY, of Woodbury, was not only eminent in his profession, but, what was unusual in his day, he excelled as a belles-lettre scholar and was a gentleman well read in various branches of science.
Later generations produced eminent and accom- plished physicians : DR. NATHANIEL PERRY, son of the gentleman just named ; DR. DANIEL SHELDON, of Litchfield ; DR. FOWLER, of Washington; ROCK- WELL, of Sharon ; WELCH, of Norfolk ; TICKNOR, of Salisbury.
DR. SAMUEL WOODWARD, of Torrington, was not only a physician of high repute himself, but he was almost literally a father of the faculty.
Among the surgeons of note, in earlier times, were DR. SAMUEL CATLIN, of Litchfield, and at a later period DR. SAMUEL R. GAGER, of Sharon.
The medical profession in this county has pro- duced some writers of respectability. DR. ELISHA NORTHI was for several years a physician of extensive practice in Goshen, and he afterwards removed to New London. He published an approved treatise on spotted fever, which extensively prevailed in Goshen and its vicinity while he resided there.
DR. CALEB TICKNOR, of Salisbury, was brother of the late excellent Dr. Luther Ticknor, of that town, and of Dr. Benajah Tieknor, for many years a surgeon in the navy of the United States, and, although a young man when he removed to New York City, about the year 1832, he rose rapidly to a high place in his profession. He published several medical works, the most popular of which was the "Philoso- phy of Living."*
* The above reference to the physicians of the early days is taken from the address delivered by the late Judge Samnel Church at the Litchfield centennial, in August, 1851.
49
MEDICAL HISTORY.
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY.#
The records of the old society are doubtless lost. The following is a list of members of the Litchfield County Medical Society in 1808 : Samuel Woodward, President ; Samuel Buel, Clerk ; Anson Tuttle, John Raymond, Aaron Coleman, P. B. Fowler, Ebenezer Smith, William H. Taylor, Roswell Abernethy, Jesse Carringtou, John Calhoun, Samuel Rockwell, J. R. Eastman, Elijah Lyman, Samuel Orton, Timothy Clark, Gideon Woodruff, Asahel Humphrey, Joshua Cornwall.
Since then the following admissions have been made :
1808 .- Anson Wright, John C. Warner, David Warner, Launcelot Phelps. 1809 .- Samuel B. Woodward, Henry Tuttle.
1810 .- Jebial Williams, Edmond Allen.
1811 .- Elisha North.
1812 .- Frederick Graves, John Warner.
1813 .- James R. Dodge, Conant Catlio, Asahel Hale, E. L. Hart, Ira N. Bronsoo.
1814 .- John M. West, Elmore Evoritt, Curtis Inrd.
1815 .- Norman Smith.
1816 .- William Bnel, Erastna Bancroft, William Marsh.
1817 .- Benjamin Platt.
1818 .- Samuel Enstie.
1819 .- Henry Fish, Luther Tichnor, Gaylord Wells, Samnel Andrews, George O. Jarvis, Orvid l'lumb.
1820 .- Roswell Abernethy, John M. Weat.
1821 .- Horatio Gridley, Chauncey B. Foot, Samnel W. Gold, Johnson C. Ilatch.
1822 .- Benjamin Welch, Elins W. Williams, Thomas Brinsmade.
1823 .- Sherman Woodward, Clark Chapman, Samuel Chittenden.
1824 .- Jehial Abbott, Uriah Turner.
1825,-Benjamin F. Cleaveland, Samuel R. Childs.
1826 .- Eli Reed, Ives Cowles, William Woodruff.
The following is the first complete list of members, made in 1827 :
Alanson Abbe, William Buel, Samnol Buel, John ST. West, Samuel R. Childs, Manly Poters, John W. Russell, Norman Landon, Samuel W. Gould, Solyman Russell, William Marsh, Luther Ticknor, Henry Fish, Adonijah Strong, Benjamin Welch, Joshun S. Cornwall, Amasa Kellogg, Benjamin Welch, Jr., John Calhoun, Urinh Turner, John Senrs, Georgo Taylor, Jehial Williams, Clark Chapman, Ralph Den- ning, Reuben Warner, Lyman Catlin, Royal Cook, Ives Cowles, WIlHam Woodruff, Gaylord Welln, Juul G. Caudlee, Roswell Aber- nethy, Frederick It. Woodward, Conant Cattin, Ellas Williams, Nor- mao Buel, Johnson C. Hatch, Remus 31. Fowler, William C. WIl- linia, George O. Jones, Erastus Bancroft, 11. Scovill, Willlam O. Talcott, Andrew De Wolf, Wells Beardsley, Howell B. Graham, XHles Belden, Garry 11. Minor, Jarvis Case, Amnon Borcher, William Erwin, Andrew Abernethy, Paul W. Cluseborough, Ell Reed, WHlint Car- rington, Warren Il. Fowler.
The following have been admitted since that date :
1828,-Stophen Reed, Jethro Hatch, Bushrod Camp.
1829 .- Norman Lyman, - Hollister, Juhn Da Furent, Josiah Barnes, Amus Butler, Jofforvon Stone, C. 8. Ticknor, A. S. Lewis.
1830 .- Howen A. Les, Albert Wright, William I'. Buel, J. G. Bock with, Burritt North, Myron Downa.
1831 .- George L. Hurd, Theodore C. Ilurd, Georgo MI. Fowler, Charles Valli, Elwin C. Fly, L. S. Adamns.
1832 .- Charles II. Webb, Stanley Griswold, G. 11. St. John, Samuel Ste- Alpen, Ambrose Ivea.
1833,-Walter Peck, Asnhel Humphrey, - Kibbe, Horace Judson, A. M. Hnxloy, Ozlas Lewla, Albert C. Knight.
1831 .- Aaron Wildman, J. It. Eastman, E. D. llnilson, - Karson. 1835,-Horace K. Bench, Wella Bennlaley, Phlinnlo Stewart.
1836 .- James Barry, Joseph McComb, Elmoro Everett, Russell Everett.
· Contributed by J. J. Newcomb, MI.D., of Litchfield.
1837 .- Samuel T. Salisbury.
1838 .- John S. Wolcott, R. Tiffany, Loomis North, Horace Buttolph, Reuben M. Woodruff, W. J. Barry, William B. Lacy, J. A. Gillette.
1839 .- George Adams, C. H. Reed, - Moody, Sylvanus Stewart.
1840 .- William W. Welch, Eliada Osborn, - Perry, - Platt,- Freeman.
1841 .- Henry Baldwin, William B. De Forest.
1842 .- George Seymour, L. S. Turner, Myron K. Hubbard, Sidney P. Lyman, Charles Byington.
1843 .- Baldwin Seeley, Thomas Seeley, William Cockie, Edward P. Ly- man, Joseph North ..
1844 .- John Stootcote, George Lyman, John Yale.
1847 .- W. E. Bulkley, David E. Bostwick, Seth Porter.
1848 .- John L. Wakefield, Gralinm Lee, J. Edward Smith.
1849 .- G. S. Bissell, P. Beardsley.
1850 .- William Werden, Ithaneer II. Smith, II. G. Westlake.
1851 .- Orlando Brown, Erastmns Hugins, Asahel Catlin, Jr., J. W. Phelps, J. B. Whiting, Seth l'ease, John II. Welch, Samuel Catlio.
1852 .- Charles B. Maltby, George B. Parsons.
1854 .- Henry MI. Knight, William J. Burge, Gaylord B. Miller, J. H. T. Cockey, J. W. Bidwell.
1855 .- Allin E. Barber, Henry W. Buel.
1856 .- Jolin B. Derrickson.
1857 .- William W. Kuight, William Demiag.
1858 .- William Bissell.
1859 .- Harmon W. Shove.
1860 .- Edward Sanford.
1863 .- Henry Davis.
1867 .- Francis J. Youug.
1868 .- J. K. Bacon.
1869 .- G. W. Bell, J. II. Blodgett.
1870 .- J. Morgan, II. E. Gutes, William Portor, I. S. Goodwin, T. S. Hanchett, W. S. Munger, C. W. Bull, W. J. Beach.
1871 .- Frankllo Booth, R. E. Eusign.
1872 .- E. B. Hendy, L. T. P'Intt, C. F Couch.
1873 .- T. G. Wright, J. II. North, L. IT. Wood.
1874 .- F. P. Esterley, C. W. Camp.
1873 .- Virgil Buel, J. J. Newcomb.
1876 .- J. 11. Stevens, A. M. Kesler.
1877 .- A. G. Henney, W. T .. Barbour, B. S. Thompson, Samuel 11. Ilunt- Ington, F. W. Brown.
1878 .- J. 11. Trent. W. P. Swett.
1879,-George K. Itoberta, Jerry Burwell, C. I .. Binke, Jeanc R. Sanford. 1980 .- Frederlek F. Barrows.
LIST OF OFFICERS,
The following is a list of presidents and secretaries from 180S to 1880:
PRESIDENTS.
1808, Samuel Woodward; 1809-10, Jeme Carrington ; 1811-13, Nathaniel Perry ; 1814, Jesso Carrington ; 1815-16, Nathanlel Perry ; 1517, Jesso Carrington; 1418, William Burl; 1519, Nathaniel Perry; 1:20-22, Samuel Rockwell; 1821, WIHum Buel; 1824, Samuel Huckwell ; 1825, Warren S. Fowler : 1826, Hoswell Abernethy ; 1827-29, William Enel ; 1830, Boswell Abernethy ; 1^31, Beulen S. Woodward; 132, William Huel; 1833-34, Norman Lyman ; 1835, Johnwin C. Hatch ; 1834, Remun M. Fowler ; 1837, Samuel Huel; 1939, Gaylord Welle; 1839, Benjamin Welch ; 1810, Samuel W. Gold; 1811, G. II. St. John; 1812, Manley Peters; 1843, Charles Valli; 1841, Heabon Woodruff; 1813, William J. Barry ; 181%, Harvey Baldwin ; 1517, A. M. Huxley ; 1818, Johnson C. Hatch ; 1849, Burrit H. North ; 1:50, Ralph Deming ; 1851, James Welch ; 1832, Myron Pow na; 1853, S. T. Sullabury ; 1834, Sidney 11. Lyman; 1555, WIHllam 11. Welch, 1.66, William Woud- ruff; 1857, Goorgo Seymour; 1458, Henry 31. Knight; 199, James Welch : 1860, Henry W. Buel ; 1861, J. 11. Welch ; 1562, D. E. lhet- wick ; 1867, C. 11. Wabb ; 1864, J. W. Phelps; 1×65, 11. H. Knight ; 1860, J W. l'help; 1867, Hanry 3I. Knight; 1868, J. W. P'helpe, 1×00, F. S. Young ; 1870-71, Henry W. Huel ; 1872, J. W. Bhlwell; 1873-74, Orlando Brown; 1873-76, Durritt B. North; 1:77, Willlam Deming : 1878-79, It. S. Goodwin ; 1650, W. S. Slungor.
SECRETSRIEN.
1808-11, Samuel Borl; 1812-15, Flyjuh Lyman; 1816-14, Conant Catlin; 1×19, Erastus 1., Heart ; 1820-g2, lowell Abernethy , 1:21-28, Ho- ratio Gridley ; 1826-28, Samuel Childs ; 1929-30, Samnal Gold; 1831,
50
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Moses A. Lee; 1832-47, J. G. Beckwith; 1848-49, A. M. Huxley; 1850-54, George Lyman ; 1855-57, Henry W. Buel; 1858-59, David E. Bostwick ; 1860-62, G. B. Miller; 1863-66, Henry Davis; 1867-68, J. G. Beckwith; 1869, G. W. Bell; 1870-71, Howard E. Gates; 1872, William Porter; 1873-74, Willis J. Beach ; 1875-77, T. G. Wright; 1878-80, J. J. Newcomb.
The following record appears among the proceed- ings of the society under date of April 21, 1828 :
" A communication from the American Temperance Society was laid before the society, and the following resolution was passed:
"" Resolved, That this society highly appreciate the exertions of the Temperanco Society for tho suppression of tho deplorable evils under which our country is sufforing from the abuse of ardent spirits, and that we will use our best endeavors to further the views of that highly-re- spectable association ; and we hereby pledge ourselves that we will at this and at all future meetings of our society abstain from and discourage the use of thut highly deleterious article.'"
The present officers and members are as follows : President, Walter S. Munger, Watertown ; Vice-Presi- dent, Willis J. Beach, Litchfield ; Secretary, J. J. Newcomb, Litchfield; Committee on Membership and Ethics, Henry W. Buel, J. W. Bidwell, Luther II. Wood ; Fellows to the State Society, R. S. Good- win, G. H. Miner, J. B. Derrickson, Orlando Brown, W. J. Beach.
Reporter, L. H. Wood.
Members, Henry W. Buel, W. J. Beach, J. W. Bid- well, O. Brown, William Bissell, T. W. Brown, J. Burwell, C. L. Blake, T. E. Barrows, C. W. Camp, C. F. Couch, William Deming, J. B. Derrickson, Myron Downs, H. E. Gates, R. S. Goodwin, F. P. Esterley, T. S. Hanchett, A. G. Ileavey, W. W. Knight, E. P. Lyman, G. H. Miner, W. S. Munger, J. J. Newcomb, J. Il. North, Edward Sanford, J. H. Stevens, H. W. Shove, W. P. Swett, I. R. Sanford, B. S. Thomp- son, James Welch, William Woodruff, L. H. Wood.
CHAPTER IV.
MILITARY HISTORY.
The Second Regiment-The Fifth Regiment-The Eighth Regiment- The Ninth Regiment-The Tenth Regiment-The Eleventh Regiment -The Twelfth Regiment-The Thirteenth Regiment.
THE lightning had scarcely flashed the intelligence to the expectant North that Maj. Anderson and his gallant band had surrendered as prisoners of war to the Southern confederacy ere the patriotic sons of old Litchfield were rallying to the support of their imperiled country. Men and money were promptly raised, and the record of the county during the whole struggle is one in which her citizens may justly feel a patriotic pride.
SECOND REGIMENT INFANTRY.
The Second Regiment of Infantry was enlisted for three months and recruited from the volunteer militia. It was mustered into the service May 7, 1861, under the command of Alfred H. Terry, of New Haven, an efficient and accomplished officer. The regiment left
for Washington, May 7, 1861, numbering seven hun- dred and eighty. There were two companies from Litchfield County in this regiment,-infantry com- pany B, Abram G. Kellogg, of New Hartford, captain, Charles W. Morse first lieutenant, and Charles War- ren second lieutenant, and rifle company E, with Sherman T. Cooke as captain, Wheelock T. Batchel- lor first lientenant, and Charles E. Palmer second lieutenant. The former company was recruited prin- cipally from Winchester and New Hartford, and the latter, except eight men, entirely from Win- chester. The regiment was present at the battle of Bull Run, where both officers and men acquitted themselves with honor. It was mustered out of the service Aug. 7, 1861.
THE FIFTHI REGIMENT
was organized in the summer of 1861, and entered the service with Orris S. Ferry, of Norwalk, as colonel. He was subsequently United States senator. There was one company principally from this county in the regiment,-Company I,-with G. A. Stedman, of Hart- ford, captain. The first and second lieutenants, W .. S. Cogswell and W. H. Webster, were also from Hartford. The regiment participated in the follow- ing engagements: Winchester and Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Dallas, Mari- etta, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Chesterfield Court- house, and Silver Run.
THE EIGIITII REGIMENT.
This regiment was mustered into the service in September and October, 1861, under the command of Edward Harland, of Norwich. Litchfield County was represented by two companies,-C and I. Com- pany C was officered as follows : Captain, Charles W. Nash ; first lieutenant, Samuel Glasson ; second lieu- tenant, Robert H. Burnside; sergeant, Henry R. Jones. Company I had for its officers F. W. Jackson, of Danbury, captain; William J. Roberts, of New Milford, first lieutenant; and F. E. Nearing, of Brookfield, second lieutenant. The regiment left Connecticut Oct. 17, 1861, one thousand and twenty- seven strong, and at Annapolis, Md., was joined to Burnside's corps. "Its earliest services were in the battle of Newbern, N. C., March 14, 1862, and the siege of Fort Macon the following month. It accom- panied Gen. Burnside when he was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, and subsequently went with the corps into Maryland. At Antietam, in Sep- tember, 1862, the regiment lost: Killed, one officer -Lieut. Mason Wait, of Norwich-and 33 men ; wounded, 10 officers and 129 men ; missing, 21 men ; total, 194.
"In December the Eighth was engaged at Fred- ericksburg, but suffered slightly, and in February, 1863, was sent to Southeastern Virginia. In April the regiment was in the fight at Fort Hagar, Va., and remained in Virginia until January, 1864. It then
51
MILITARY HISTORY.
returned to Connecticut on veteran furlough, three hundred and ten men having re-enlisted as veterans. In March it returned to its old camp near Portsmouth, Va., and, after outpost- and picket-duty at Deep Creek and vicinity, was in the battle at Walthall Junction, May 9th, and lost eighty men. Col. Harland having been promoted to be a brigadier-general, the regiment was at this time in command of Col. John E. Ward, who was severely wounded by a shell at the battle named. A week later the regiment participated in the engagement at Fort Darling, and on the night of the 16th returned within the fortification, the men worn out with eight days' constant warfare. In this short time the Eighth lost one-third of its fighting strength. Early in June it was engaged with the enemy at Cold Harbor, and from June 16th to Aug- ust 27th in skirmishes and siege-work around Peters- burg, losing heavily. The following four weeks were spent on the James River, picketing the Bermuda Hundred post, and September 27th the regiment lost seventy-three men in the storming of Battery Harri- son. This was the last general engagement of the regiment, which was mustered out Dec. 12, 1865."
The regiment saw severe service, and participated in the following engagements : Newbern, Fort Macon, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fort Hagar, Walthall Junction, Fort Darling, Coll Ifarbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison. There were killed, 72; died of wounds, 40; died of disease, 132; missing, 11.
THE NINTH REGIMENT
was mustered into the service in the fall of 1861 as the " Irish Regiment," under the command of Thos. W. Cahill, of Hartford, with Richard Fitzgibbons, of Bridgeport, lieutenant-colonel. It had a few men from this county.
Its principal engagements were Baton Rouge, Chackaloo Station, Deep Bottom, and Cedar Creek. Mustered out Aug. 3, 1865.
THE TENTH REGIMENT
was reeruited in the fall of 1861, and mustered into the service during September and October of that year, with Charles L. Russell, of Derby, as colonel, and A. W. Drake, of Hartford, as lieutenant-colonel.
There was one company from this county,-Com- pany D,-commanded as follows: Captain, Lewis Judd, of Roxbury ; first lieutenant, Charles HI. Hurl- burt, of Roxbury ; second lieutenant, Sanford B. Palmer, of Sharon.
The regiment left for the seat of war in October, and was assigned to Gen. Burnside's command. The Tenth received its baptism of fire at the battle of Roanoke Island, where it fought nobly, and its gal- lant colonel, Russell, was killed while leading the charge.
"A month later the regiment lost twenty-three killed and wounded in the battle of Newbern, and then had rest from close warfare until the 14th of
December. It then participated in the sanguinary battle of Kingston, N. C., and lost one hundred and six officers and men, and only two days later was in another fight at Whitehall. March 28, 1863, after a winter's rest, the Tenth was iu the battle of Seabrook Island, S. C., and spent the spring, summer, and fall before Charleston. December found the regiment in Florida, where twenty-two men were lost in a fight at St. Augustine.
"In the spring of 1864 the regiment went to Vir- ginia, and suffered the loss of all the garrison and camp equipage and regimental and company records by the sinking at Norfolk of the transport on which they were stored. Its first fight in the Virginia eam- paign was at Whitehall Junction, May 7th, and from this time the history of the organization shows battle after battle clear through to the surrender of Appo- mattox, the Tenth being 'in at the death.'"-Battle- Flag Day.
A total of 2124 was credited to the organization during its existence, embracing the original 996; re- eruits, 848; re-enlisted veterans, 280. Casualties : Killed in action, 57; died of wounds, 59; died of dis- ease, 152.
The regiment sustained a very heavy loss of officers and otherwise. It had four colonels during its first eighteen months of service.
The Tenth participated in the following engage- ments : Roanoke Island, sieges of Charleston and St. Augustine, Walthall Junction, Drury's Blutl, Ber- muda Hundred, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Deep Run, siege of Petersburg, Laurel Hill Church, New Market Road, Darbytown Road, Johnson's Plan- tation, Hatcher's Run, Fort Gregg, and Appomattox Court-house.
THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
This regiment had one company from Litchfield County,-1,-officered as follows: captain, John D. Griswold, of Old Lyme; first lientenant, P. C. Cum- mings, North Canaan ; second lieutenant, William H. Sackett, of Hartford. The regiment was raised in 1861, and December IGth left Hartford for the front, under command of Thomas H. C. Kingsbury, of Franklin. It participated in the following engage- ments: Newbern, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- cricksburg, Suffolk, near Suffolk, Swift's Creek, Drury's Bintl, Cold Harbor, before Peter-burg. Total loss of men, 85.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.
The Twelfth Regiment was mustered into the ser- vice in the winter of 1861-62. It had but few men from this county. Dr. John B. Welch was assistant surgeon.
JOHN BENJAMIN WELCH.
John Benjamin Welch was born at Winsted, Conn., Sept. 14, 1838. He commenced regularly the study of medicine with his father at the age of seventeen.
52
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
During the term of his professional study, his time, when not in attendance upon lectures, was divided. A portion of it was spent in the office of his father, and portions of it in the offices of his uncles, Dr. Benjamin Welch, of Salisbury, and Dr. William W. Welch, and Dr. John H. Welch, of Norfolk. IIe at- tended his first course of medical lectures in Washing- ton, D. C., his second and third at the medical college in New Haven, where he received the degree of M.D., January, 1860. Much the larger part of the two years after his graduation he spent with his father, more or less engaged in the practice of his profession, the last year especially, doing quite as much business as was best for so young a man.
IIe was ardently devoted to his profession, nobly ambitious to excel in it, and eager to avail himself of every opportunity within his reach to fully qualify himself for its responsible duties.
On the breaking out of the late Rebellion there arose a demand for surgeons for the army. He pre- sented himself to the Military Board of Medical Ex- aminers for the State of Connecticut, and underwent an examination. He applied for the post of assistant surgeon, for which he was recommended by the board of examiners and by others. He obtained the posi- tion, and received his commission, which was dated Dec. 11, 1861, as assistant surgeon of the Twelfth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, then stationed at Ilartford.
He immediately went to Hartford, signified his ac- ceptance of the appointment, and soon entered upon its duties. The regiment remained in Hartford till Feb. 2.4, 1862, when it left to join the division of Gen. Butler, at Ship Island.
During the voyage he was quite sea-sick in rough weather. On pleasant days he often mounted the wheel-house, and appeared to enjoy very much ocean scenery. On the 6th of March he began to complain of headache and debility. These symptoms, however, excited no serious alarm, as they were attributed to the effects of the sea-sickness; and it was confidently anticipated that they would disappear on his reaching land.
The steamer came to anchor off Ship Island at sun- rise, March 7th, when Dr. Brownell hastened to the state-room of Dr. Welch to give him the information and to offer him his congratulations. He requested Dr. Brownell to look at his throat, remarking that it felt sore. Two or three small ulcers were visible, and the next day the rash made its appearance,-decisive symptoms of scarlatina.
The accommodations being much better on ship- board than ashore, Dr. Brownell decided that it would be better for Dr. Welch not to attempt to land in the condition in which he then was. Dr. Brownell came off shore to see him daily, and Dr. Fernandez, the surgeon of the ship, was constantly at hand.
Dr. George W. Avery, in his letter, says,-
"When the steamer 'Fulton' dropped anchor in
our harbor, I hastened to the wharf to greet your son, my old college friend and professional brother. I was disappointed as to seeing him, and was told by Dr. Brownell that he was slightly ill, and that it would not be advisable to attempt to bring him ashore. Im- mediately I obtained permission of Gen. Phelps to visit him. He was much rejoiced to see me, and I spent nearly all of Sunday afternoon with him. I found a bad pulse; it was soft and small. On Tues- day following, the IIth, I visited him again, and found him, as before, very glad to see me. It had now been decided to send him home, a furlough to that effect having been granted by Col. Deming. I found him so weak that it was with great difficulty that he could speak. He complained very much of his throat."
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