Harvey H. Davis to Jesse K. Dubois, enclosure

Camp Cairo Ill

Decr 1861

To the Hon Jesse K Dubois

Auditor of State

Springfield

Illinois

Sir

I will not offer any apology for troubling you with this, “An appeal” on behalf of the young men of our state, who are connected with the Medical Profession, as I know the interest you feel in the welfare of every citizen particularly the young, will not only secure me a favorable hearing, but also enlist your sympathy and assistance in their behalf. I will be brief in stating my cause. When the Surgical Department connected with the Illinois Volunteers, was being organized the Government Sent an experienced Army Surgeon who acted very maternally in reducing the Corps of Surgeons to an effective working condition. Every effort on the part of the

2 [Dec 1861]

Director was promptly seconded by the energy and willingness of the Surgeons under his supervision. The results was that few states have a more thoroughly organized Medical Department than our own. Thing's were progressing Smoothly until we found that our Brigades were being suppled with Surgeons from the East, who knew little and cared less, about our Soldiers, or their habits customs or diseases. They came here ostensibly to get experience, but they are eminently careful in collecting their salaries. This experience which is indeed valuable is just so much taken from the Surgeons of the North West, to whom it rightfully belongs Had the matter ended with the appointment of the Brigade Surgeons, it might have been quietly submitted to, but since the exotics have obtained a foothold, their positions have been used as a lever to hoist others into place. Not a vacancy occurs in our Hospital, but that some Brigade Surgeon, who is himself an interloper, has a pet of his own to fill the place. If an

3 [Dec 1861]

Assistant Surgeon is needed, the Doctor is imported from Philadelphia or New York. It is true, he is doing nothing there, but he is just the man for the place, If a Hospital Steward is wanted, he must be imported from Connecticut, and so on to the end of the Chapter. Now this thing is not only unjust, but it is most damnably annoying. And I am tired of it. Our own Young Surgeons, who are of us and with us, who have been educated among us, who have passed the Board of Examiners with credit, and who are now in the ranks with their muskets, are deprived of all the rich advantages which result from the blood, bone and muscle of our own troops, which may be expended in the war, All the benefits which may result to science, an to be carried back Eastward, to lay the foundation of a practice there. We get none of the experience, and yet we furnish the men. Now there is a way

4 [Dec 1861]

to get at this matter, very simply, Just induce Govr Yates, to have the Medical Director here furnished with a list of the Young men who have passed the Board with credit, and direct him to make all appointments for the Hospital from that list. Or what I would like better let the field be open to all young men of the Medical Profession, who are now in the ranks of the Illinois Volunteers, & who can bring a proper certificate of character and qualifications. This will meet the difficulty, and stop the imposition, the injustice of which you can see at a glance. Take care fo the Young Men Uncle Jesse and they will take care of you.

Any action the Govr and Yourself may take in this matter, will be reported though channels, by which it will reach every young, ambitious, road-side, Physician in the State, and it shall be accompanied with a statement of the facts in the case. Do something in this matter, and all I ask is, for you to lay it before our Governor,

5 [Dec 1861]

Tell him it is no official document but some thing for him, and yourself. That will be all that is necessary, as I can count safely on his assistance. I will have a long account to square with you and Govr Yates, when I get back to old Edgar. And all I shall ask of you in addition to that you have already done for me, is a bunch of quills and a pint of good ink. I intent to put this matter through about our Young Surgeons. It has not been long enough for me to forget that I was Young, and I surely have not forgotten the time when as a private I stood guard on the Cairo Levee, with my musket, I can sympathize with every young man, who desire to raise himself in his profession, and I intend to put in my best efforts to stop the importation of Patientless Doctors from the East, and secure to our own meritorious Young Men, the advantages which

6 [Dec 1861]

will be yielded by the War to our Profession. I have made some sacrifices in this war, for my country, I am ready to make more, I know of no political preference that I am not ready to lay down to serve my Friends, I am for those who are for me. And when I set myself to work, I contrive in some way to make noise enough to be heard. I have no selfish motive in the matter. I would rather be a private in the ranks with the privilege of having my day, than be a Surgeon, and be compelled to act as sponge holder to an imported nincompoop. Hoping my dear friend that you will put in for our young men, I beg to subscribe myself

Yours truly

Your Friend

Harvey W. Davis

Dr. H.W. Davis

Appeals in behalf of surgeons – wants a change

Adjt. Gen

Please examine carefully – If the authority for this is with me, I desire to carry out to the letter and wish you to have the list of Surgeons prepared & forwarded to Medical Director with proper order – Dec 12. 1861.

Richd Yates Govr