1865 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT MEDICAL RELATED CIVIL WAR LETTER BY FAMED SURGEON OF THE 39TH NEW YORK

On offer is a significant, lengthy, 6 pp letter, approx. 5" x 8", datelined 1st Div. Hospt., 2nd A.C., Thursday Afternoon, June 15, 1865", written by Dr. C.S. Hoyt, an Army Surgeon to a former colleague. Interesting content, written as the huge Union Army was being mustered out. Here are some snippets: "each day makes us smaller and beautifully less. The old Army of the Potomac is being rapidly, yet quietly dispersed. All the troops whose terms of service expire prior to Oct. 1st are already mustered out. We are looking for new and more extended orders for muster out, and I think within a short time, the entire army will be discharged, its services being no longer required. Today, orders came transfering all the Heavy Art. Regts. to Hancock's Corps and they are to hold the Forts around here. These Regts. are now moving, the 2nd & 4th NY Regts among the number. We still keep up the Div. Hospt....These changes are playing the deuce with rank, tossing Surgeons around as if on 'billous waves'...Tompkins and Howe leave today, and O'Meaghen and Rouland will take their places. I am the only Surgeon left in the 3rd Brigade. The medicine waggon has been turned over and the Regts (39th and 52nd) report to the 4th Brigade. We will all be scattered to every point of the compass within the next 15 days, whether to be mustered out or for other duty, I am unable to conjecture. I am inclined to believe you will be able to marry before long, for without doubt, your Regt will go out soon, unless new complications should arise in the affairs of the patients. On this question of marriage, I have no settled policy, only to 'wade in' at such time as it may be convenient, and circumstances will allow. 'Old Isaac' is cooking for our mess at 20 dollars pr month. He is now preparing 'Fish Balls' for supper. He desires me to present his very best wishes, and desires you to write him a reference to an act. he holds against Col. Hemick. By the way, the 'Old Rat' is quite gay among the wenches here. I am satisfied he would eat 'cheese' if the rind were not too thick...You say truly we had pleasant association at the old Div. Hospt.; they will never be effaced from my memory... I have always been fortunate in my relations with those whom I have associated in the army...My associations with you have been longer and more intimate than with any others, and your many acts of kindness places me under deep obligations to you. I trust Doctor, your future life may be happy...." BIO NOTES: FROM: Ontario Co. Times, Canandaigua, NY Wednesday, May 31, 1865. Surgeon HOYT - We notice in a recent number of Yates County Chronicle, an account of the presentation of a beautiful gold watch to Surgeon Charles S. HOYT, chief executive officer of the 1st. Div., hospital, 2nd Corps, by the attendants of the hospital, as a mark of respect, and a token of their appreciation of Surgeon HOYT as an officer and a gentleman. Surgeon HOYT entered the service in 1862, as 1st Assistant Surgeon of the 126th New York, and has since endeared himself to that command, by his constant and uniform attention to his duties. His pleasant manners and kind and cheerful words to the sick and wounded, under his care, and accompanying the warm and substantial arrangements for comfort and good nursing, which he always in some almost mysterious way, seemed to improvise wherever there was occasion, have doubtless buoyed up many a desponding spirit to shake off the death grapple about to seize another victim to the late unholy rebellion. Dr. HOYT was promoted to surgeon of the 39th NY, a little more than a year ago, and has since been for most of the time, chief executive officer of the 1st Division Hospital, 2nd Corps, which has been known as the model hospital in the army, during all the terrible campaigns of 1864 and the eventful winter and spring of 1865. Surgeon HOYT will always be remembered with gratitude, by the soldiers, who have so often been the recipients of his kind ministrations. VF