American Historical Ephemera and Photography

NORRIS, Dr. Albert L. (1839-1919). Autograph letter signed ("Albert"), as assistant surgeon at Point of Rocks Hospital, to his brother Rufus Greenleaf Norris (1839-1873). "Point of Rocks Hospital," Virginia. 14 April 1865. 7pp, 5 x 8 in. (creasing at folds, light toning). With cover addressed to Rufus G. Norris in Charlestown, MA.

A lengthy letter which was commenced on the 14th and completed over the course of the following days. Albert describes for his brother the trials of working as a surgeon as well as his reactions to learning about Lincoln's death: (April 16th) "Tired and weary from incessant labors amongst the wounded under my charge I sit willingly for a time to think of home and loved ones... But!! a solemnity of speechlessness, death like, suspense, pervades our entire hospital and army as we have today been greeted with the unwelcome tidings of the assassination of the chief Magistrate of the nation.... [April 17th] I again seat myself to complete my partially written letter to you. Last night in the night I was called out to professional duty in compressing a ruptured artery and thus delaying the dying moment of a union soldier 8th Conn. Regt. Also a Rebel soldier wounded in the Right arm & hip & thigh afflicted with gangrene which in 48 hours must be certainly fatal we suppose. We have many hundred wounded Confederates in our hospital now to treat...I am now sitting in my log cabin and looking out upon the lawn in front of the hospital across which Pres. Lincoln walked just 3 weeks ago to day (Monday March 27th) with his Lady and a few friends. I had a fine opportunity for seeing him and was thankful for it...."

On March 27, 1865, Lincoln traveled up the Appomattox River to Point of Rocks Hospital where he visited wounded soldiers. That same day, he famously met with Union Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman to plan for the end stages of the war and to discuss the peace terms that would follow.

HDS indicates that Albert Lane Norris enlisted on 7/15/1864 as an Assistant Surgeon and was commissioned into US Volunteers Medical Staff. He was discharged on 11/15/1864 (estimated dates of commission & discharge) and on 3/8/1865, was commissioned again into US Volunteers Medical Staff serving through 3/24/1866. After the war, he served from 10/27/1866 to 4/2/1867 with Field & Staff US Colored Troops 114th Infantry. He was a member of GAR Post # 186 (John A. Logan) in Cambridgeport, MA and served as post commander. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University in the War of 1861-1865: A Record of Services Rendered in the Army and Navy of The United States.... states that Norris served with the U.S. Sanitary Commission in 1862, as well as at Satterlee Hospital in West Philadelphia, and upon his July 1864 appointment had service with the 18th Army Corps in a field hospital in front of Petersburg, VA, with duty also with the 1st N.Y. Mounted Rifles. He was assigned to Point of Rocks Hospital in Virginia in March 1865, then served after the war in in Texas with the 25th Army Corps and in the Gulf Department. Lineage and Biographies of the Norris Family in America from 1640 to 1892 ... states: "His theme for his graduation thesis at Harvard (1865) 'Diaphragmatic Hernia,' was suggested by the care of a sergeant in a New 
York regiment that suffered death a few days after the springing of 
the Burnside mine, July 30, 1864, in front of Petersburgh, V.A.
which case came under his professional care."

Albert's brother, Rufus D. Norris, of Epping, NH, enlisted on 10/4/1861 as a Corporal and mustered into "B" Co. Connecticut 11th Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 11/7/1862.