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Jacksonville Augst 28 -1862
To his excellency Gov Yates
Dear Sir
I have recd. letters from several Physicians and others and a desire expressed by many of our soldiers requesting me to intercede with you in this , That at least one Homeopathic Physician be appointed as Surgeon or assistant in each Regt, now being formed where such appointment be requested. In such a case Surgeons of different schools, could act in concert, Surgery being the same in all schools, and in medical practice the sick could have their choice. Your petitioners through me reason I think justly -- on this wise.
That the Homeopathic system of practice has the confidence of the public in every community in the
loyal states, and its adherents are among the intelligent, thinking classes, whose wealth and influence are now given to the Administration in all its measures. A very large portion of the regular and volunteer forces now in the field desire Homeopathic practice, and count it one of the severest privations of the service, that in sickness they are to be deprived of the benefits of this mild and humane method of administration. And while we are devoting our lives and money to the service of our common country in this her hour of peril, we feel we we have the right to ask you, that when striken down by disease or casualty, we may have that system of practice in which alone we can confide. I am aware you have a medical board to decide who are qualified among those who desire to enter as Surgeons
in our army: I am also informed they have desided to reccommend none who are not of the Alopathic School, be their attainments and standing in their respective localities what they may, from the lowest, to the highest, commendation. Now with all due defference to this board I must say such action is illiberal, unjust, and inconsistent. As well might the authorities determine to make no officer unless he be of Demicratic party, and appoint no Chaplain unless he belong to the Episcopal Church. The Homeopathic Colleges are Chartered and respected by the same state or law making authorities that Alopathic colleges are. Homeopathic Physicians are appointed to the most important positions in the armies and navies of foreign Countries, and why deny them to our own at a time when we are in the greatest need.
Why should the poor soldier be denied (as such) a privilege and blessing secured to him at home when such can be furnished him without additional expense at a time when he is far from home and friends. No chief magistrate in any loyal State has surpassed or even equaled you in labor of love and humanity indefatigable, this has endeared you to our people and especially to our Soldiers in their peril and suffering (irrespective of party) more than all other conciderations: Thus I feel the greater delicacy in adding to your arduous duties by my petition. I am assured you know me too well to suppose I am or can be actuated by selfish or mercenary motives for my feeble health admonishes me daily, home is my proper place. Governor it is a fact of which I am convinced, that there are many of our army surgeons who are mere tyroes doing mor harm than good: And though the task be difficult I am persevaided you cannot do a greater good than correct it as in your powers it may be.
Think me not officious or dictatorial I know you will not when I make the following suggestions: If the the present board are so clannish and bigoted they will not change their views, change them and appoint a better: or if not appoint a board of the new school who will be found patriotic & benevolent enough to serve without additional expense to the state if need be. Without the time and expense of going further I think they may be obtained at the capital and would suggest the names Drs Adams Miller Lathrope & Potter, to examine and report on Homeopathic candidates So long as Doctors differ So long the people will differ, and such action as I have honestly and I hope respectfully proposed will subserve the object intended by our own State in chartering the two schools to give the citizens their choice.
While I am assured you will do what you believe to be your duty in all that pertains to the happiness of our country in its present trials, I am encouraged to know you have the prayers and efforts of all the wise and good (when number is yet great) to sustain you not only in our own state, but through all the land of the free, and the home of the brave, and writing most heartily with all such, I have the honor to be as ever your old friend
G.Y. Shirley
P.S.
I am aware that what ever is done must be done quickly, or I would prefer sending you a large list of Petitioners amongst whom I will name a few, J.N. Sturtevant Jas Berdaas President Russell W.M. Mayo Pres Adams W & J Mathers P. Coffman H.C. Coffman
B.F. Stevenson Jos Capps J.W. Strong M. Rapp Jas Jackson Wm. Rowley M.D. R.C. Bruce I.W. Goltra Geo. W. Fox H & J.H. Bancroft Elders James. Crane. Barger, Wallace, Buck, & Moor, Jaquess, & Rutledge of the Army &c &c Also J. Goodrich J. Tomlinson S. Veitch Harvy Routt Joshua S Rhodes A. Jackson Wm Buckingham D.P. Coffman Wash Allen P. Spates Wm. Ratiken N. Meilburn Sr H.M. Ennis Jonathan Rowley A. Foreman J.S. Anderson A. Hammond S.M. Brockman Cyrus Sanderson E. Hayden Geo Hayden Jno Fitzsimmons B.J. Simmons Jno A. Loar Wm. Harrison Ths H. McElroy Geo Owen Charles Cox G.W. Lighter Stephen Capps John Carson S.L. Graves Wm. Graves B.R. Rucker Wm. Rucker Wm. B. Johnson J.P. Henderson E.P. Mount J. Whitehead Saml. Wood Wm. K. Dewey Jno Stult Elliott (Banker) &c &c
Ans. Sep. 3.
Jacksonville Aug 28th 1862
Petition of G.Y. Shirley
representing a number of citizens and requesting Gov. to have in each Regt where it is asked at least one Homeopathic Surgeon or Asst Surgn appted.
Refer this letter to Sec Stanton & also with Dr [Wrysley?] it has been so referred -- with recommendation &c
We have written to Secy Stanton on this subject & are awaiting his reply [illegible]