Moore, John (1826-1907) to Mary Moore Kelly
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04195.07 Author/Creator: Moore, John (1826-1907) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 December 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy
The battle of Fredericksburg is over, with little accomplished. He describes the endurance required of the soldiers. The attack was made against the orders of Gen. Hooker. He describes hospital work during and following the battle.
Excerpt: "Our troops, in several places got within 50 or 100 yds of the crest of the hill, in fact the division of regulars, got to this point on saturday-night, where they had to lie on their bellies all day sunday and sunday night. Any man rising up or even elevating his arm was shot; 200 of them were killed and wounded while lying in this position; with scarcely a chance to shoot back. This is the kind of endurance that tries the soldier. While lying here every wounded man who attempted to get off by crawling or walking was shot; as well as the men who came with litters to carry off the wounded."
After serving in the Utah War, Moore returned east, assigned to the Marine Hospital in Cincinnati until August 1862. As a newly promoted major, he transferred to the Army of the Potomac, assigned as medical director of the Central Grand division, where he participated in the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and in Chancellorsville as medical director of the 5th Corps. In June 1863 Moore became the medical director of the Department of the Tennessee, assisting in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Sherman's march on Atlanta, where he acted as medical director of the armies of Georgia, Tennessee, and Sherman's army, and was given the rank of lieutenant colonel and then colonel. Moore saw the end of the war in Missouri in St. Louis and Vicksburg.
Following the war Moore served two years at Fort Wadsworth and Fort Columbus in New York Harbor then practiced as a surgeon in the New York City area. After short stints in Europe, Virginia, Texas, Washington, and California, he was named Surgeon General in 1886. He retired in 1890 and continued living an active life in Washington, D.C. until his death in 1907.
Kelly is Moore's sister.
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