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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01896.092 |
| From Archive Folder | Letters and documents relating to the Jeffery/Woodlief families and naval matters |
| Title | Letter to Gen. William H. Harrison criticizing him for comments made in front of the Senate |
| Date | n.d. |
| Recipient | Harrison, Gen. William H. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Letter signed "An Assistant Surgeon of the Army". Protesting Harrison's disparaging comments made in front of the Senate during the Reorganization of the Medical Department of the Navy regarding the Army Surgical Corps, of which Jeffery was a member. Citing Harrison's contention that in the Army " 'there was a total deficiency of any sort of talent among the Surgeons'," Jeffery claims that Harrison has committed an "unmerited injustice" against the Army's Medical Department, undermining both himself as well as the very branch of service in which he served. He posits that Harrison is in no position to make such a broad judgment. Jeffery criticizes Harrison's statement that " 'the soldiers were more afraid of the Surgeons than the bullets of the enemy'." Although he admits to some deficiency among surgeons during the beginning of the war [though "(the ignorance was by no means confined to the Medical Department)"], such a state should be expected from an Army raised so suddenly. Jeffery believes Harrison cannot base his opinions on his own antiquated experiences from "14 years ago." |
| Subjects | Military History Navy Health and Medical President Congress Government and Civics |
| People | Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841) |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |