Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great group of three war-date Gettysburg hospital related letters, totaling 6pp., concerning a lost pay voucher due Gettysburg contract surgeon James B. Carpenter. Interestingly, Carpenter's August 1863 pay voucher was "lost" after the crime was committed and it is not know how the case was settled, but here is his case. First, a 1p. 4to. draft, written by Surgeon Henry Janes, as director of Camp Letterman, "Camp Letterman, Gettysburgh Pa., Oct. 15, 1863', in part: "…Dr. J. B. Carpenter…contracted with the Surgeon General July 28th 1863. He stated…that he had resigned his commission-to another he stated that the mustering officer refused to muster him…when he reported during the battle because there were already too many medical officers…he stated that he had formerly held a commission in the 34th [35th] N. Y…on the 9th of Sept. he was relieved from duty at Camp Letterman…and ordered to report to Surg. N. L. King…while on duty at the Confederate hospital of the 3rd Corps…he received and appropriated…money from the following named patients, viz., $40.00 in gold from Ernest Lockman, Co. D, 5th Texas and $10.00 in gold and $35.00 Confederate Script from Sergt. W. J. Parker, Co. A, 17th Miss. The 2nd Auditers order for the payment of his bill for services for the month of August was stolen from the tent of one of his friends and still remains unpaid…if desirable its payment could be stopped. Assistant Surgeon J. D. Watson, 3rd Maine Vols. who occupied the same tent with Dr. Carpenter perhaps could give additional information…"....plus, Second, is a copy letter, 1p. 4to., issued by Capt. & asst. adjutant general Robert Leroy, "Head Quarters, Department of the Susquehanna, Oct. 19, 1863" being an order to stop Dr. Carpenter's August army pay....plus,Third, is a manuscript letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Dr. James B. Carpenter, "Theresa, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1863", to Surgeon Henry Janes, as director of Camp Letterman, in part: "…I am somewhat astonished to think that Dr. Harper should report to you that my certificate was lost or stolen from his tent…Dr. Kerper took that certificate from the P. O. in camp on the 21st day of Sept…and was to have forward it to me…I do not like the way…Dr. Kerper acted. He could most certainly have written me that the certificate had been stolen and I could have stopped…the payment…would you…stave off the payment of it…I most certainly shall hold Dr. Kerper responsible…I would not willingly charge any thing to any man, but his not answering matters…is suspicious…will you…inform me…to what place he has been ordered…I would like to keep track of him…". A great archive worthy of further research. Overall VG
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