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... 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. Show less
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). Show less
Rutherford writes of the illness of the his assistant surgeon, Dr. Clarke, of his own excellent health, and all he is enjoying at camp including a hive of bees. He writes of fresh meat, fowl and fruit available to eat, of a companion dog and of his horse he admires so much. He speaks of the... Show moreRutherford writes of the illness of the his assistant surgeon, Dr. Clarke, of his own excellent health, and all he is enjoying at camp including a hive of bees. He writes of fresh meat, fowl and fruit available to eat, of a companion dog and of his horse he admires so much. He speaks of the difference in military medical care of the soldiers and notes how the care results in more or fewer sick soldiers and of deaths. Show less
Writing from camp in the field near Sulphur Springs, Virginia topics include reference to postal service, the sickness of a couple of men, the good health of Rutherford in spite of the lack of food, his encounter with a swarm of wild bees, not suffering from his rheumatism as in the past,... Show moreWriting from camp in the field near Sulphur Springs, Virginia topics include reference to postal service, the sickness of a couple of men, the good health of Rutherford in spite of the lack of food, his encounter with a swarm of wild bees, not suffering from his rheumatism as in the past, reference to lice as grey backs and the hope that he will receive the promotion. Show less
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.
Topics include various men going home on leave including Chaplain, Capt. Bartlett & Lt. Gale, a ball attended by staff officers and their wives, going to army headquarters, sending money home, all wives ordered to leave camps as soon as they can and reference to appointment of Joseph Daggett as... Show moreTopics include various men going home on leave including Chaplain, Capt. Bartlett & Lt. Gale, a ball attended by staff officers and their wives, going to army headquarters, sending money home, all wives ordered to leave camps as soon as they can and reference to appointment of Joseph Daggett as 1st Lt (and Regimental Quartermaster of the 43rd U.S. Colored Infantry) to a Negro regiment, has written a newspaper article for the Newport News, came down with a case of the measles, many soldiers dying from diarrhea. Show less
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.
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. Show less
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. Show less
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.
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. Show less
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. Show less
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. Show less
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.
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. Show less
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. Show less
Writing from camp near Cedar Creek, Va, topics include the difficulty with sending letters given their location in the Valley, an offer given to him to transfer to a hospital in Washington, his taking offense with Governor Smith and feeling disrespect from the Gov. for not giving Rutherford a... Show moreWriting from camp near Cedar Creek, Va, topics include the difficulty with sending letters given their location in the Valley, an offer given to him to transfer to a hospital in Washington, his taking offense with Governor Smith and feeling disrespect from the Gov. for not giving Rutherford a commission, again writes of Lucien wishing to have him know of Rutherford's good feelings towards him. Show less
Topics include references to folks at home and their improved health, of not minding having his letters read to others, brief reference to a battle at Briston Station (Manassas plains), Dr. Childe's sister has a book for Rutherford's daughter Helen, a brief description of a battle and how the... Show moreTopics include references to folks at home and their improved health, of not minding having his letters read to others, brief reference to a battle at Briston Station (Manassas plains), Dr. Childe's sister has a book for Rutherford's daughter Helen, a brief description of a battle and how the wounded men were treated including Rutherford's decisions to not amputate limbs and the recovered heath of those soldiers who were spared the surgery. Show less
Topics include being ready to move out, hearing the sounds of battle near White's Ford (at Leesburg and Edwards Ferry), a description of the military ball he attended with Col. Jewett and Col. Henry in Poolesville, he getting acquainted with some of the officers' wives at the ball including Mrs.... Show moreTopics include being ready to move out, hearing the sounds of battle near White's Ford (at Leesburg and Edwards Ferry), a description of the military ball he attended with Col. Jewett and Col. Henry in Poolesville, he getting acquainted with some of the officers' wives at the ball including Mrs. Childe, respect of Rutherford paid to him by Col. Jewett Show less
