American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

[CIVIL WAR]. Confederate surgeon's letter written the day after the Battle of Gettysburg, almost certainly Henry Clarkson, 13th Alabama. "Near Gettysburg," 4 July 1863. 

2 pages, 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 in., abundant creasing throughout, some spotting and soiling, wear and a few tears/losses to edges.

In this letter addressed to "My Darling Jean," and signed simply "Henry," the writer wastes no time explaining the circumstances of his brief opportunity to write a letter: "In the midst of scenes of battle & of carnage I have barely time to take advantage of the very earliest opportunity to write you since leaving dear old Virginia. I have not been able to mail a letter previously or you should certainly have heard from me."

Then, showing his awareness of the realities of war and being in enemy territory, he writes: "It would not be policy for me to write any war news, so I must content myself with the same old theme - my undying love. But even that subject seems impolitic for a letter which is likely to be intercepted..."

He sends his sympathies to "Mr. Keith B. I had heard of his wound through Mrs. Boswell of Winchester, whom I had the pleasure of seeing whilst encamped 10 miles from that place."

He also gives updates and news from various doctors, supporting the idea that the writer is one himself. He writes: "Dr. H. W. [?] has resigned because of a refusal of promotion, this I was told by Dr. Slaughter of Culpepper, & also by Mr. Myer Moses, but of this more anon. Dr. McIlhaney sends regards."

Henry Mazyck Clarkson (1835-1915) enlisted on Christmas Day of 1860, after his home state of South Carolina seceded from the Union. He joined the Columbia Flying Artillery as a private, and was soon promoted to corporal. He took part in the bombardment of Fort Sumter from Sullivan's Island where he was stationed. He was eventually given his medical certification to be appointed an assistant surgeon in the army in 1862, and he was reassigned to the 13th Alabama Volunteers.

At Gettysburg, on the first day of battle, Clarkson established a field hospital near South Herr's Ridge, but had to relocate to the McPherson barn. Though the Army of the Northern Virginia left on July 4th, Clarkson remained and treated the wounded men from both sides of the battle lines for weeks. For these efforts, his photograph was placed on the Wall of Faces at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center in 1998.

A few months later, he married Jeanie Irving Sayre in September of 1863, just a few months after this letter was written. (Jeanie's birthday is October 16th, and at one point in the letter featured here, the writer notes that "the middle of October the birthday of my Jean").

After the war, Clarkson had a long and storied career and social life, and he also wrote poetry, a book of which was published under the title Songs of Love and War in 1898.