2023-08 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
Confederate Surgeon Letter written by Surgeon Henry M. Clarkson who enlisted as a Asst Surgeon (date unknown) and also had service in Field & Staff AL 13th Infantry. Dateline Near Gettysburg, Adams Co. Penna, July 4th 1863, 2pp., pencil. In part, "In the midst of scenes of battle and of courage I have barely time to take advantage of the very earliest opportunity to write you. ... we are not allowed to mail now ... You may thank your Star of Good Luck for this opportunity of hearing from one who loves you so dearly. We have got over Maryland, My Maryland" and from the keystone state are already signing Carry Me Back to Ole Virginia. ... Propose to R.B. to assist us - to stand by us in the coming trial. Dr. N.H. has resigned because of a refusal of promotion .... Henry"On Christmas Day 1860, Henry enlisted as a private in the Columbia Flying Artillery and was stationed at Fort Moultrie. He was quickly promoted to corporal and placed in command of Gun #13. On January 9, 1861, he was one of three gunners to fire on the Star of the West as the ship attempted to enter Charleston Harbor to resupply the Union garrison at Fort Sumter. His shot was the only one fired from Fort Moultrie. Clarkson's greatest ordeal came in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. Early on the morning of July 1, 1863, Henry established a field hospital in the area of South Herr's Ridge. By late afternoon, fighting forced him to relocate the hospital to the McPherson barn. For the next two days, the fighting raged on around him, and casualties poured into his hospital in an endless stream. When the Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac and regained the safety of Virginia on July 4, Henry remained behind and for the next three weeks treated the wounded of both armies. According to his granddaughter Eleanor Lee Templeman, "[he] received high praise from the officers of both armies for his untiring and impartial service to the wounded of both North and South." In recognition of his services, Henry's photograph was placed on the Wall of Faces at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center in 1998.
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