5 November 1862

Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas A. McParlin

Writes to Dr. McParlin, then Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. "I send three Nurses ... after two weeks trial I beg you will report on their ability..." Notes she will see him that week. Mentions problems with "Mrs. Thompson's health." Indicates that "I write in great haste" and closes with "esteem for yr character as a Surgeon." Dix, best known as a reformer who labored to establish mental hospitals, was in charge of all women nurses working in army hospitals during the Civil War. She relocated to Washington D.C. and received her appointment in June 1861, she served throughout…

GLC02649.40

2 May 1863

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W.A. Hammond

Informs General Hammond that he has sent "a brief narrative of the chief events of interest, medical & surgical, during the campaign of the Army of VA in the summer of 1862" (see GLC02649.01). Apologizes for its sloppy, non-technical presentation and discusses some of its shortcomings. The letter contains several edits.

GLC02649.02

10 August 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Manuscript letter

Title: to A.L. Cox

Writes to Dr. Cox, the Brigade Surgeon in charge of hospitals, to order him to arrange for the wounded soldiers from Culpepper to be sent "by Rail Road immediately" to Alexandria, Virginia by authorization of Genl. Pope. An autograph note signed by McParlin on the bottom discusses the necessary paperwork and permissions being arranged. Written from the Headquarters of the Army of Virginia, "In the field beyond Culpepper." The Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862, resulted in over 1700 Federal casualties. GLC02649.10 is a draft in McParlin's hand.

GLC02649.07

11 August 1862

Clary, Robert E., 1805-1890

Letter

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Responds to McParlin's request to have wounded soldiers removed from Culpepper to Alexandria, Virginia (see GLC02649.07). Indicates that "Your note of yesterday relative to transportation for wounded did not reach me till after nine o'clock this morning. Orders have been given for forwarding the wounded and sick," for which he ordered thirty rail cars. Adds that twelve ambulances were received. With McParlin's signed endorsement that this is a "true copy."

GLC02649.08

July 1863

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Manuscript document

Title: List of names of Medical Officers of the Army of Virginia

Names two dozen Army of Virginia medical officers "whose efficiency or capacity was observed or reported to me." Also identifies their military units and positions. Apparently compiled by McParlin.

GLC02649.09

10 August 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A.L. Cox

Writes to Dr. Cox, the Brigade Surgeon in charge of hospitals, to order him to arrange for the wounded soldiers from Culpepper to be sent to Alexandria, Virginia. Written from the Headquarters of the Army of Virginia, "In the field beyond Culpepper." Written from the field following the August 9 Battle of Cedar Mountain. Original pencil draft of GLC02649.07.

GLC02649.10

4 March 1862

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother and Brother

Sends news home. Comments on food including having a "porter house steak" for "Carnivale," weather conditions, and his schedule. Discusses supplies and surgeons for Wisconsin Regiments, with autograph letter signed on verso from Alida McParlin.

GLC02649.11

7 May 1863

Simpson, Josiah, 1815-1874

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Dr. Simpson, Army surgeon and Medical Director, sends word from the Surgeon General (not included) appointing Dr. McParlin Director of Hospitals at Camp Parole in Annapolis, Maryland and at the Junction. Provides some relevant instructions. Surgeons Mulford and Pattimore will report to him.

GLC02649.12

17 March 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William H. McParlin

Discusses the need for medical supplies, commenting that "The sickness at Camp Douglas is on the decline - but the prisoners of war at Camp Butler near Springfield are reported as having much sickness among them." Comments on his impression of Chicago and the traffic on the river running through the city. Notes his plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Discusses financial matters including Congressional plans to cut his salary. Notes "Treasury notes is the best currency here except of course gold & silver. Bank notes are brought from Connecticut, N.Y., Massachusetts, Vermont & New…

GLC02649.13

2 September 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

A short letter to his wife, saying he will write more later. Indicates he will be going out to the 5th Corps in the morning. Notes his good health. On the verso is Dr. McParlin's title and office, indicating the stationery was for official business.

GLC02649.14

16 September 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

Acknowledges receiving his wife's letter. Comments on the return of the Naval Academy to Annapolis, and the government's ability to build hospitals. Discusses his department and military matters, taxes, and Alida's restlessness, and the brigadier general brevet of R.S. Satterlee. Says "I hear that the draft is ordered to proceed at once." Notes at the top of page one that he is "in excellent health."

GLC02649.15

1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

McParlin expresses concern over his wife's health and discusses the possibility of going to California after the Civil War.

GLC02649.16

1 September 1864

Ingalls, Rufus, 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Montgomery C. Meigs

Copy of a letter written by Ingalls, Brigadier General and Chief Quartermaster of the Armies operating against Richmond, to Major General Meigs, U.S. Army Quartermaster General, to add to his annual report a commendation for the Medical Department and hospital system under Dr. Thomas A. McParlin. The copy appears to have been prepared for McParlin. On Office of Chief Quartermaster stationery.

GLC02649.17

8 January 1864

Parker, George B., 1826-?

Document signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Parker, signing as President of the Medical Officers of the U.S. Army General Hospital at Annapolis, offers three resolutions officially congratulating McParlin on his promotion to Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. George B. Parker (b. 1826?) enlisted as a Assistant Surgeon on 3 September 1862 and commissioned in Company S, 42nd Infantry Regiment New York; discharged on 12 August 1863.

GLC02649.19

September 1, 1864

Ingalls, Rufus, 1818-1893

Letter

Title: to Montgomery C. Meigs

Copy of GLC02649.17 with slight textual variations. Ingalls, Brigadier General and Chief Quartermaster of the Armies operating against Richmond, writes to Major General Meigs, U.S. Army Quartermaster General, to add to his annual report a commendation for the Medical Department and hospital system under Dr. Thomas A. McParlin.

GLC02649.20

15 April 1865

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin William Brice

Writes to Brice, the Acting Pay Master General, to request pay according to his brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Heavily docketed; the request is denied across docket. With signed endorsements by Brice dated 18 April 1865 indicating McParlin was not entitled to the pay. Written at the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, near Burks (Berke) Station, Virginia.

GLC02649.21

6 December 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Printed letter signed

Title: to Thomas A. McParlin

Partially printed letter transmitting McParlin's appointment (not included) to Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. Form letter offering congratulations. Issued on stationery of "Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac."

GLC02649.25

December 6, 1864

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Letter

Title: to Thomas A. McParlin

Draft copy of GLC02649.25, probably written by a secretary. Letter transmitting McParlin's appointment (not included) to Medical Director of the Army of Virginia. Form letter offering congratulations. Signed as "official" by Brevet Major General Ed Schriver (1812-1899).

GLC02649.26

30 June 1865

Ruggles, George D. (George David), ?-1904

Document signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Signed by Ruggles as AAG, by command of Major General Meade. A printed order relieving McParlin of his duty as the Colonel and Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac and ordering him to report to the Surgeon General, as a result of the break up of the Army of the Potomac. Written on "Special Order" stationery of the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac with autograph emendations in an unknown hand. Special Order No. 165.

GLC02649.28

16 April 1866

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas McParlin

Major General Meade informs McParlin that he has complied with his request for a recommendation (see GLC02649.30): "I think if any medical officers are entitled to the Brevet of Brig Genl it [is] these who like yourself stuck it out in the field and although whilst in the field I thought two brevets a fair proportion for my staff officers - I did not dream that these out of the field were going to get more and I consider it my duty to modify my recommendations as I have in your own case...I often think of our last campaign and how skillfully you treated me. I shall never forget the…

GLC02649.29

16 April 1866

Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Hale Morgan

Major General Meade strongly recommends Dr. Thomas A. McParlin to Colonel Morgan for advancement in rank. Discusses details about military actions in the Civil War, and McParlin's role in them as an Army Surgeon and Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac. Notes that the campaign had more battles and heavier casualties (over 50,000) many any similar period during the war. Meade writes, "Surgeon McParlin reported to me as Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac in Jany. 1864, and continued to serve in that position till the army was disbanded in June 1865...the campaign from the…

GLC02649.30

22 April 1866

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Letter

Title: to Andrew Jackson Smith

Pope recommends to Major General Smith that McParlin be brevetted to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel for his service on 29-30 August 1862 (Second Battle of Manassas) and Brigadier General for his service as Medical Director of the Army of Virginia since 1 September 1862. Recounts McParlin's service as a surgeon during combat and his expert handling of patients. In part: "He [McParlin] was present at the front in every engagement and it is not too much to say that from first to last he not only performed his duties with ability - and fidelity, but that his whole conduct was…

GLC02649.31

3 May 1866

Pope, John, 1822-1892

Letter

Title: to Andrew Jackson Smith

A copy of GLC02649.31 (so marked), but with a different place of address and date. Pope recommends to Major General Smith that McParlin be brevetted to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel for his service on 29-30 August 1862 (Second Battle of Manassas) and Brigadier General for his service as Medical Director of the Army of Virginia since 1 September 1862. Recounts McParlin's service as a surgeon during combat and his expert handling of patients. In part: "He [McParlin] was present at the front in every engagement and it is not too much to say that from first to last he not only…

GLC02649.32

19 December 1866

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Letter signed

Title: to the Adjutant General, U.S.A. War Department

Rejects his appointment as Brevet Brigadier General dated 27 November. In part: "This is the Second Brevet of that grade, tendered to me for different services: one, with the army in the field - which I now hold - as Brigadier General by Brevet for 'meritorious services during the War' …: the latter, for 'meritorious and distinguished services at New Orleans, La., where Cholera and Yellow Fever prevailed'….It is evident that I cannot accept this appointment, for the grade of Brigadier General. It is therefore carefully returned, with the request that the proper correction may be made."…

GLC02649.35

10 December 1866

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Letter

Title: to Joseph K. Barnes

Copy of a letter officially notifying U.S. Surgeon General Barnes that he has accepted the rank of Brevet Brigadier General "for meritorious service during the war." Written on stationery of the Headquarters Department of the Gulf. Headed "Medical Director's Office."

GLC02649.36