New York State Surgeon General's Office Incoming Correspondence Received from Medical Officers of New York State Volunteer Units

Numerical by regiment number and therein chronological.

According to the 1863 General Regulations For the Military Forces issued by the Adjutant-General's Office, the Surgeon General was "charged with the administrative details of the Medical department and general oversight and charge of all the officers belonging to it." Furthermore, when appointing or promoting any person in the medical staff, the Surgeon-General was directed to "rigidly scan the pretensions of such person, taking into consideration his physical qualifications and moral habits, as well as his professional acquirements and education."

This series consists of incoming correspondence from various medical personnel affiliated with New York State Volunteer Units, directed to the Surgeon General. Most of the letters were generated by regimental surgeons and assistant surgeons.

The bulk of the correspondence in this series deals with individuals requesting appointments as regimental surgeons or assistant surgeons; the acceptance of commissions; requests to forward commissions; requests for promotions; individuals reporting for duty; recommendations of individuals for promotion; requests for information pertaining to uniforms; acknowledgements for receipt of commissions; requests for hospital stewards; requests for reappointment or reassignment; and requisitions for medicine. The correspondence from persons requesting appointments often provides information pertaining to their medical education, experience, and other pertinent credentials.

B0312Series B0312, Surgeon General's Register of Letters Received, indexes this series

A4147Series A4147, Telegrams Received by the Surgeon General's Office, contains related records.

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