IMPORTANT AND EXTENSIVE CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE NORTH CAROLINA / VIRGINIA DOCTOR'S ARCHIVES, NEARLY 500 PIECES, mostly manuscript materials, some printed and finished in manuscript. This remarkably intact collection relates to the service of Confederate medical officer Isaac S. Tanner during the Civil War. In his various positions, Tanner was the recipient as well as originator of scores of reports, orders, and letters that he retained after the war ended. Reports relate to: the sick and wounded and contain the names, rank, company, and regiment of over 3000 Confederate soldiers; medical officers, including their rank, when they were examined by the Medical Examiners Board, the units they were assigned to, and any absences during the period; and rations and supplies, including where they were purchased, cost, and quantities used during particular periods. Orders in the collection consist of those printed by the CSA as well as hand-written orders from superior officers. Letters and other correspondence include: requests for money from prisoners of war; personal letters from Tanner's fellow surgeons; complaints about, or objections to, actions taken by individuals and, in some cases, responses to those complaints or objections; requests for clarification concerning certain orders; information about procurement of rations and supplies; transportation issues for the sick and wounded; and even one letter outlining the procedure for a "retrograde", in other words retreat. Besides Confederate documents, the archive includes some telegrams, notes, and orders issued by the U.S. Army. Among the Reports of Sick and Wounded is one containing the names of 31 Federal prisoners of war. Although some of the archive dates to 1862 and 1863, most of the items date to 1864/65. A more detailed listing of this archive is available by request. Additional detail photos will be posted soon. 1862-1865.
Provenance: From the Estate of John T. Lucas, Martinsburg, WV.
Acquired from George W. Banks of Shepherdstown by Louise of S. Brooks Lucas around 1935
From Isaac Tanner to his daughter Mary Imogene Tanner, wife of George Banks.
Catalogue Note: According to Lee W. Sherrill's, 21st North Carolina Infantry, A Civil War History with a Roster of Officers, Isaac Scott Tanner (1818-1903) was born in Clear Spring, Maryland and by 1839 had arrived in Shepherdstown, Virginia (now West Virginia) where he studied medicine under Dr. Richard Parran. Tanner graduated from NYU in 1845 and NYU Medical School in 1847. He began practice in the U.S. Navy, but soon returned to Shepherdstown where he built a large practice. Tanner was commissioned in Company F of the Virginia Cavalry on April 17, 1861 as Second Lieutenant. His was next commission as assistant surgeon of the Confederate Army on July 19, 1861, the day after the Battle of Bull Run and served as such until August 25, 1861 when he resigned to become Confederate full surgeon. While waiting on this position he acted as temporary assistant surgeon for the 21st North Carolina Infantry. He received his full surgeon position on March 31, 1862; and was then promoted to Hoke's Brigade Surgeon on April 15, 1863. Tanner later served as chief surgeon of Eastern North Carolina and eventually of Hoke's Division. After the War, he returned to Shepherdstown where he continued his lucrative medical practice until his death. Tanner is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown.
Mostly fine to excellent condition.