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- Joseph Chase Rutherford Correspondence
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An 1849 graduate of Woodstock Medical College, Joseph Chase Rutherford practiced medicine in Blackstone, Massachussetts and Orleans County, Vermont. He was an examining surgeon of recruits early in the war, and he also invented a method of invisible writing that was used by the federal government...
Show moreAn 1849 graduate of Woodstock Medical College, Joseph Chase Rutherford practiced medicine in Blackstone, Massachussetts and Orleans County, Vermont. He was an examining surgeon of recruits early in the war, and he also invented a method of invisible writing that was used by the federal government during the war. Rutherford was commissioned from Newport on August 8th, 1862 and made an assistant surgeon of the 10th Vermont. He was promoted to surgeon of the 17th Vermont on March 6th, 1865. While operating on a soldier after the battle of Orange Grove, he developed an infection in his thumb that partially disabled him for the rest of his life. He returned home to his practice in Newport after the war.
Dr. Joseph C. Rutherford wrote faithfully to his wife Hannah from the time of his appointment as assistant surgeon of the Tenth Vermont Infantry in August 1862 to his mustering out as surgeon of the Seventeenth Vermont Infantry in July 1865. He informed her of his medical duties, his relations with the soldiers and officers, and news about soldiers from the Newport, Vermont area. Rutherford's letters convey a strong sense of pride in his work, but increasing frustration over his failure to win promotion, particularly after the severe battles of 1864. He finally received a commission as surgeon of the Seventeenth Vermont in March 1865. Rutherford described the battle of Orange Grove (Nov. 27, 1863) and Sheridan's Shenandoah campaign, but only one letter (May 17, 1864) survives from the nearly continuous fighting of May and June, 1864. Many of the letters contain advice to Mrs. Rutherford on financial matters and the treatment of their children's illnesses. Rutherford also expressed strong opinions about copperheads, traitors, and Southerners. The collection includes three letters from Edward Belville (d. 1864) of Derby, Vermont, a private in the Eighth Vermont Infantry. One of these (July 16, 1863) gives an account of the assault on Port Hudson, in which Belville was wounded.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Daughter
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Topics include organizing and preparing a Christmas dinner for the hospital, being awoken by the sounds of music, brother George’s defense of Rutherford to Governor Smith, and celebration of a big victory in battle, Rebel deserters coming into Union lines.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Jacob [Rutherford]
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Dr. Rutherford writes to his young son, Jacob, about the military camp the Dr. is in. He writes of how the camp is much like a village with rows of white tents, how his tent is furnished, of a small black dog he has with him and of how much he likes his horse. He gives his opinion of the soldiers...
Show moreDr. Rutherford writes to his young son, Jacob, about the military camp the Dr. is in. He writes of how the camp is much like a village with rows of white tents, how his tent is furnished, of a small black dog he has with him and of how much he likes his horse. He gives his opinion of the soldiers; many treat him well and some of the men he dislikes because they do not keep themselves clean.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Newport Express
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Letter to the Newport Express newspaper that includes a description of a battle near Petersburg, Virginia (part of the Richmond - Petersburg Campaign) in which many were killed or captured ; number to casualties and prisoners captured stated.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Son
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Topics include building an elaborate trip wire and abbetten to protect against the enemy, the planned execution of a deserter, and Rutherford’s son’s schooling and allowance.
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- Joseph Rutherford to Son
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Topics include J.C. Rutherford writing to his sick son, reference to the boy's younger brother, Jacob ; sending flower buds to his sister Helen and a gold cord to the sick boy as trim for his cap.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Topics include description troop formations and breast work fortifications, of the ten-mile line of troops, desire to build shelter for winter but uncertain weather there will be another relocating march, his feelings about a cavalry promotion, and discussion over the location of a soldier's body...
Show moreTopics include description troop formations and breast work fortifications, of the ten-mile line of troops, desire to build shelter for winter but uncertain weather there will be another relocating march, his feelings about a cavalry promotion, and discussion over the location of a soldier's body and burial site; the visit from a wounded soldier's wife about her husband's health after Rutherford amputated his arm (Battle of Cedar Creek, Oct 19).
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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A brief letter with topics including references to two battles with no casualties of the troops, encamping on J. Minor Botts’ farm, hardships camping in the field with cold weather, military pay expected and Rutherford’s good health.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Very brief letter stating having been paid a day prior and inclusion of $20 with this letter with more to follow in the days to come.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Rutherford receives the promotion to Surgeon of the 17th Regiment ; notice to be printed in the New York Herald ; anticipation of stillness being soon broken and his skills as a surgeon being needed ; includes a brief personal letter for his daughter Kittie.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Rutherford writes of the regiment's movement to Camp Grove Offults Cup, Maryland. Also of his contempt for soldiers who want to shirk their military duties, of how well the truly sick soldiers are cared for in the hospital, and a slanderous report written about the Surgeon which Rutherford firmly...
Show moreRutherford writes of the regiment's movement to Camp Grove Offults Cup, Maryland. Also of his contempt for soldiers who want to shirk their military duties, of how well the truly sick soldiers are cared for in the hospital, and a slanderous report written about the Surgeon which Rutherford firmly denies, gives his side of the story including military discipline and an account of who a man named Murk who is responsible for the false report.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Topics include the progress being made on the house, military pay slow in being received, the children's bad reactions to a vaccination with suggestion for treatment, follow up visits to Mr. Trundle with his erysipelas, a big dinner in camp with the officers including Col. Jewett, the men...
Show moreTopics include the progress being made on the house, military pay slow in being received, the children's bad reactions to a vaccination with suggestion for treatment, follow up visits to Mr. Trundle with his erysipelas, a big dinner in camp with the officers including Col. Jewett, the men practice shooting a new rifle received in camp with targets being cattle grazing across the river owned by the Secessionists and a flock to ducks.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Still under marching orders topics include a request for some winter shirts, the possibility of letting (renting) the land at home, and a description of the type of man who would not fight for his country.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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From in the field topics include Rutherford's friends at home worrying about him, the lack of opportunity for promotion in the regiment at this time, the position of "Salter" mentioned (procurer of salt, a maker of and dealer in salt, a drysalter?), and the method for treating typhoid fever,...
Show moreFrom in the field topics include Rutherford's friends at home worrying about him, the lack of opportunity for promotion in the regiment at this time, the position of "Salter" mentioned (procurer of salt, a maker of and dealer in salt, a drysalter?), and the method for treating typhoid fever, diarrhea among the sick men, looking on the bright side dealing with adversities of camp life.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Topics include a his experiences on November 27th in the Battle of Mine Run that took place near Locust Grove (Orange County, Virginia), meager food for Thanksgiving meal, marching to the forest known as the "Wilderness", the way in which the wounded were cared for, praise for Capt. Steele and...
Show moreTopics include a his experiences on November 27th in the Battle of Mine Run that took place near Locust Grove (Orange County, Virginia), meager food for Thanksgiving meal, marching to the forest known as the "Wilderness", the way in which the wounded were cared for, praise for Capt. Steele and the service all the men did for their country.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Topics include having a difficult march in the rain, being in charge of the Ambulance train, pursuing shelter for the sick men, taking possession of the "Wallack Mansion" for the men & having made it into a General Hospital, having to destroy his Indian blankets along with other goods last June...
Show moreTopics include having a difficult march in the rain, being in charge of the Ambulance train, pursuing shelter for the sick men, taking possession of the "Wallack Mansion" for the men & having made it into a General Hospital, having to destroy his Indian blankets along with other goods last June when leaving Harpers Ferry, Dr. Smith (asst surgeon) resigned due to his wife's insistence that he return home, a guess as to when the war might be over, the pleasure of having greens to dine on and the good health of the children.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Topics include relief that the children are well, Hannah attending a Sugar party, discussion about military pay, gift of a maple cake from a sick soldier he attended, of a news article written by Rutherford entitled "Relation between Citizen and Soldier.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Rutherford writes to wife, Hannnah,about the regiment's movement to his camp at Seneca Creek in Maryland. Topics include what was involved in the moving of the troops at night, the baggage he carried on horseback, his pride for his mare, of feeling proud to serve his country in time of need, of...
Show moreRutherford writes to wife, Hannnah,about the regiment's movement to his camp at Seneca Creek in Maryland. Topics include what was involved in the moving of the troops at night, the baggage he carried on horseback, his pride for his mare, of feeling proud to serve his country in time of need, of him being put in charge of building of a hospital to be named after him and called the Rutherford Hospital.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Two letters dated April 10 and 11 topics include the possibility of moving to Poolesville due to weather, reference back to the man named Pleasants sentenced to prison and hard labor for harboring the enemy, the arrest and conviction of the hospital steward for stealing from the dead, and the few...
Show moreTwo letters dated April 10 and 11 topics include the possibility of moving to Poolesville due to weather, reference back to the man named Pleasants sentenced to prison and hard labor for harboring the enemy, the arrest and conviction of the hospital steward for stealing from the dead, and the few number of men who are sick in the regiment compared to other regiments, sudden preparations for going into the field with possibility of engaging the enemy.
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- Joseph Rutherford to [Hannah Rutherford]
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Rutherford outraged and writes of debts owed for services provided by Clough.