Leaves From the Diary of an Army Surgeon
New York: John Bradburn, 1863. 8vo. Fair. Item #17444
An outstanding memoir from this British Federal army surgeon, Ellis was an English physician who volunteered his services to the Federal Army. He saw service in the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, 2nd Manassas and Antietam.
"In the early days of the American Civil War, the want of adequate combat medicine was a constant complaint by officers in the field. Englishman Thomas Ellis already had experience serving the British Army in South Africa when he was appointed Post Surgeon and later Medical Director.
"Ellis' account of his experiences in battle are riveting. He attempts to avoid any politics or partisanship and sticks to an account of the excitement and sorrow around him. His views of African-Americans are uninformed and unfortunate and certainly influenced by his experiences in South Africa. But this is nevertheless an important contribution to the history Civil War medicine and a fascinating description of his experiences."
Brown textured cloth with gilt titling and vignette on front board. Light sporadic dampstain. Foxing throughout. Mild edge wear. Lacking the facsimile insert called for. One signature standing proudly from the rest, but attached.
A must have for anyone interested in medicine during the Civil War.
Nevins, Vol. I, 86; Broadfoot, 147.
Price: $175.00