The
following is a dictated translation of the hand-written application to
the U. S. Navy Examination Board during the Civil War by a civilian
physician/surgeon for a position as a medical officer in the Federal
Navy or for promotion to Assistant Surgeon by an Acting Assistant
Surgeon. The actual
applications are in the possession of the author and presented to
enlighten the general public and other researchers as to the education
process before and during the Civil War, the personal history of the
applicants, as well as to show their personal level of medical knowledge
in answering the questions asked by the Navy Board of Examiners.
(Some applicants failed to pass and did not serve or served in the Union
Army.)
This written presentation was first of a part of a two-part exam consisting of a written
exam and an oral exam.
Many of these applications are rich
with highly detailed medical content offering an interesting perspective
on the medical knowledge and practices of the period.
A broad sampling of these exams is presented to
give you a 'picture' of the type of applicant being examined and
admitted to or rejected by the Federal Navy in 1863. Much more detail
on the individuals and their personal and naval history will be
presented in a forth-coming book by Dr. Herman.
(The actual written exam photos are available, but not presented on
these pages due to the size of the files. An
example
of a hand-written exam is on the
'List of all Applicants' page)
If you have additional information or images for any of these
doctors, please
contact us.
A list with links to
all applicants in this survey of U.S. Navy Applicants for 1863
Example of a handwritten exam given by the Navy Examination Board
Applicant:
William Stimson, M.D.
[Board note in pencil]: Withdrew
after partial examination
I William Stimson do hereby certify
that I was born in Saint George Brant County Canada West, February
nineteenth, eighteen-hundred and thirty-seven. I am precisely twenty
six five years and thirteen days of age.
My preliminary education which
consists of the English branches of education only, was finished in
eighteen-hundred and fifty two, at the Rockwood Academy under the
superintendence of William Wetherald an eminent English scholar from
England.
I commenced the study of Medicine
with my father Dr. Elam Stimson, and with my brother Dr. James Stimson
in the year eighteen hundred and fifty three, studying Latin the
connection with medicine up to the year eighteen hundred and
fifty-eight, at which time I entered the Buffalo Medical College,
attended two full courses and graduated in eighteen hundred and sixty,
receiving at the hand of that institution a Diploma.
My opportunities for witnessing the
practice of medicine and surgery have been such as are usually afforded
to an attendance on the Buffalo Sisters of Charity Hospital, in
connection with the Buffalo Medical College: The clinical instructions
of Dr. V. Mott, Dr. Post, Dr. Van Buren Dr. Bedford, and Dr. Thomas of
the Medical department of the University of New York; and a
course of operative Surgery by Dr. Donaghae Demonstrator of Anatomy in
the University of New York. Also one full course (1862 – 3) of
lectures at the above University
Testimonials of my moral and physical
qualifications were sent in with my application. I have already
certified, as to my physical capacity.
Address in Philadelphia.
William Stimson M.d.
Continental Hotel
Or – subsequent to my examination
William Stimson M.D.
168 Henry Street
New York.
[Board note in pen] Note.
Dr. William Stimson reported with a permit on the day the Board convened
March 2nd. 1863.
The Board under general
instructions from the Navy Department declined to examine him, as it
appeared that he is of foreign birth and not naturalized.
On the 26th. March he again
presented himself with a special permit; and his examination was
commenced.
On the 27th. March he withdrew,
voluntarily, being satisfied that his professional preparation was
inadequate
A
list with links to
all applicants in this survey of U.S. Navy Applicants for 1863
Example of a handwritten exam given by the Navy Examination Board