The following letter was written by Dr. Henry Orlando Marcy, Sr. (1837-1924), the son of Smith Marcy (1895-1846) and Fanny Gibbs (1793-1866) of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Henry received a preliminary and classical education at Wilbraham Academy and. Amherst College, and was graduated from the Medical School of Harvard University in 1863. In April of the same year he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Forty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, and in the following November, was commissioned Surgeon of the First Regiment of Colored Troops, recruited in North Carolina. In 1864, he was appointed medical director of Florida. According to passport 1890 passport application, Dr. Marcy was a Surgeon.

In June 1863, upon the expiration of the nine-month enlistment period of the 43rd Massachusetts, Dr. Marcy chose to remain in North Carolina, as he suggests in this correspondence, to accept a commission as surgeon in Col. Edward A. Wild’s African Brigade. This assignment was significant as he initiated educational classes for African Americans and functioned in the dual capacities of both officer and educator. During Sherman’s Carolina Campaign, he served as the medical director on Sherman’s staff. Following the conclusion of the war, Dr. Marcy received recognition for having introduced Joseph Lister’s antiseptic wound treatment methods to the United States.

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Camp Rogers
Newbern, North Carolina
May 19, 1863

Friend Albert,

I learn that we have a mail to leave camp this evening and I have a little leisure this afternoon and so know of no better time to redeem my promise to write you. I will begin by way of review, and say that I was very sorry that 1 could not have seen you the evening before I left Boston. I certainly should have seen you had I had the slightest reason for suspecting you were awaiting me. I had a number of business calls and did not get in until near 9 o’clock. Next morning we started. Mother was quite tired but enjoyed the ride very well—better than I feared. Stopped in C[lark’s] Factory until evening when I parted with Mother and Charley & myself came on to Albany. Mother bore up under the leave taking much better than I had expected—quite heroic.

We remained in Albany until the next evening when we took the evening boat for New York. Charley had friends with whom we stopped part of the time. Visited the [Albany] Medical College where I was lionized. [George Frederic] Barker the professor in chemistry used to holding place in Horo. as assistant. He seemed happy to meet me and introduced me to the professor. Gave me a seat back of the professor &c. At his lecture he introduced me to the class as the Guest Professor, &c and now Asst. Surgeon, &c. I was greeted with cheers, &c. Wasn’t that gay?

We had a pleasant ride down the river—was foggy and could see nothing of the splendid scenery. Was disappointed. Splendid boat—Isaac Newton. In New York we could learn nothing of our getting further so put up at Lovejoy’s (for I remembered your recommendation and you know our bills were not paid by the Sanitary Commission). Charley and I went over [to Brooklyn] and heard [Henry Ward] Beecher—splendid discourse, grand, on state of country, &c. Then we visited the Navy Yard. North Carolina &c. Hoped to see Luck but he was out rowing with some ladies. Saw him only at a distance. Was quite disappointed. He was to sail for Charlestown in a few days. Transferred to a blockader.

Next morning we learned that we could get off that p.m. on the Dudley Buck. Transferred our troops about noon. Found she was a propeller [steam vessel]. At eve we started. Had pleasant weather all the way down. Think you would have enjoyed it, but I was sick all the way down—ten times worse than the Spaulding. She was small and having no side wheels, was continually rolling. We lay all night off Hatteras in the swash. Monday came into Newbern about 3 p.m.—was all tired out. Put up to the hotel at starvation prices and eat a good supper & breakfast, then started for the camp of the 43rd [Massachusetts] which is about 2 miles out across the Trent [river].

We are very pleasantly encamped. I like it very much better than I had anticipated. The Assist. Surgeon [James M. Whitney?] has a good position in a regiment. We live first rate. The field & staff officers mess together. I have a pretty double top tent, ten feet square, and very well furnished—table, chair, bedstead, wardrobe, &c. all of rustic manufacture, made of boards &c.

Great change in climate from N. Y. here. Trees in full leaf, flowers, &c. Have had strawberries and blackberries are beginning to ripen. Your brother has most likely told you of the country however. I have a servant—a black boy about 20, formerly a slave. Intended to have a horse, may still. Have a right to one and thought I might enjoy the privilege of riding. Have ridden considerable. Saturday went out on review, borrowed a sword & sash and rode out in gay style. Did not dismount at all. Fun to play soldier. Our reg. Is very healthy. Have the “Out Patient” department under my sole control. Average about 50 a day. Mostly diarrhea & dysentery. The regiment begins to talk about going home—are scolding already. I may possibly stay and enter hospital service, but now think I will come out with the regiment.

Have heard from mother & Sarah. Mother seems as well as when I left. I am a great mind to try and return. Nothing could suit me better. Study hard and get ready for coming as soon as you can. How do you get on? Well, no doubt. I must draw this to a close. Since writing the above I have rec’d a letter from Sarah, and it is nearly time for the mail to close. We have in our regiment Charley Marcy, Frank Barnes & Coritean whom you used to know at W. E. O. Noble is a private in the 46th. D. K. Marston came to see me a day or two since. He is a private in the 17th Regiment encamped just below us. He enquired for you. Please write to me all the news. Remember me to the Prestons. I wrote Lizzie a day or two since. George is looking finely. I am very glad I came here. Remember me to the friends. Write soon and oblige. Your old friend, — Marcy