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Death, Disease, and Life at War: The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862–1865 Kindle Edition

by Christopher Loperfido (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
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Union surgeon James Dana Benton witnessed firsthand the suffering and death brought about by the ghastly wounds, infections, and diseases that wreaked havoc to both the Union and Confederate armies. A native of New York, Dr. Benton penned a series of letters throughout the war to his family relating his experiences with the 111th New York Infantry as an assistant surgeon, and later with the 98th New York as surgeon. His unique correspondence, together with insights from author Chris Loperfido, coalesce to produce Death and Disease in the Civil War: A Union Surgeon’s Correspondence from Harpers Ferry to Richmond.

Dr. Benton was present for some of the war’s most gruesome and important battles, including Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. He was also present at Harpers Ferry, Second Battle of Auburn, Battle of Morton’s Ford, and Abraham Lincoln’s second Inaugural address. His pen offers an insightful and honest look into what everyday life was like for the surgeons who tirelessly worked to save the men who risked their lives for the preservation of the nation.

Loperfido’s Death and Disease in the Civil War should be read by every student of the Civil War to better understand and come to grips with what awaited the wounded and the medical teams once the generals were finished with their work.
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  1. Print length
    222 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Savas Publishing
  5. Publication date
    July 19, 2017
  6. File size
    9199 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A well-done book that adds to the historiography of the Army of the Potomac. Christopher Loperfido has provided a solid resource for those who want to get an inside glimpse of a surgeon's role in America's bloodiest conflict. Death, Disease, and Life at War could certainly find a home on any Civil War historian's bookshelf." -Emerging Civil War

From the Author

For anyone interested in my book, please know that it more than just a set of letters written by a surgeon.  Not only will you read a first hand account of the war from someone who was on the ground and witnessed it firsthand, but you will get a better idea of the United States Sanitary Commission, Jonathan Letterman and his important work improving battlefield triage, how the Ambulance Corps was created and used, how lint was used by surgeons, and how amputations were performed.  I urge anyone with an interest in the Civil War to please give this a read.  The study of Civil War medicine is an under studied topic and it is my hope that my book will help further the study of this important topic. With regards, Christopher Loperfido

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B078XTKFCD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Savas Publishing; Illustrated edition (July 19, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 19, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9199 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 82 ratings

About the author

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Christopher Loperfido

Christopher Loperfido

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Best selling author Christopher E. Loperfido, a native of Weedsport, New York, graduated from Oswego State University with a bachelor's degree in history and political science and has a strong passion for American history. He has spent two summers volunteering at the William Seward House in Auburn, New York, and worked for the National Park Service at Gettysburg National Military Park in the summers of 2007 and 2008 as both a park intern and National Park Service Ranger. He is currently employed by the Department of Justice and lives with his wife, and three children in Michigan. His hobbies include baseball, golfing, studying the Civil War, and spending time with his family. Death, Disease, and Life at War is his first book.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
82 global ratings
Real people caught up in great events.
4 Stars
Real people caught up in great events.
Anyone who enjoys stories about real people caught up in great events will enjoy this book. It's a great introduction into Civil War medicine as well. Surgeon James D. Benton did not write the gruesome details of serving on Civil War battlefields and hospitals, but Author Christopher Loperfido explains why. Through Dr. Benton, Loperfido shows us the human, merciful side of war.
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Top reviews from the United States

Todd J.
5.0 out of 5 stars First person perspective
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
History books about the Civil War are great, I've read many. What is wonderful is getting the first person perspective from letters or old newspaper articles from those who were there. Mr. Loperfido did a great service bringing to us these letters from a doctor serving in this conflict. There is little commentary between the letter, more footnotes giving historical references and explanations, which I thought was a great touch. It is the appendices, giving medical information of the times which were a huge bonus. What a wonderful find for an easy (enlightening) read!
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Georgiann Baldino
4.0 out of 5 stars Real people caught up in great events.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Anyone who enjoys stories about real people caught up in great events will enjoy this book. It's a great introduction into Civil War medicine as well. Surgeon James D. Benton did not write the gruesome details of serving on Civil War battlefields and hospitals, but Author Christopher Loperfido explains why. Through Dr. Benton, Loperfido shows us the human, merciful side of war.
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Georgiann Baldino
4.0 out of 5 stars Real people caught up in great events.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
Anyone who enjoys stories about real people caught up in great events will enjoy this book. It's a great introduction into Civil War medicine as well. Surgeon James D. Benton did not write the gruesome details of serving on Civil War battlefields and hospitals, but Author Christopher Loperfido explains why. Through Dr. Benton, Loperfido shows us the human, merciful side of war.
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4 people found this helpful
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Theo B.
5.0 out of 5 stars I especially enjoyed the five appendixes at the conclusion of Dr
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
I found this to be an informative and highly enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the five appendixes at the conclusion of Dr. Benton's letters which were enlightening. The appendixes included information I have not seen elsewhere like lint production for dressings and the relationship between the Union's Surgeon General Dr. William Hammond and Dr. Jonathan Letterman, Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac.

I would love to include some excerpts from his letters after Gettysburg but I suggest you read them for yourself. I found this to be a keeper for my library and I'm certain you will too.
5 people found this helpful
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Sammy
2.0 out of 5 stars Diary of civil war surgeon. Little on medical practice of the period.
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
My objective was to gain incite about the medical practice (concepts, knowledge, and experience) of the period. This book is minimal on medical practice and mainly about where he went, how he got there, and personal correspondence with his family. Much discussion is in “Bleeding of Blue and Gray: Civil War Surgery ..... “
2 people found this helpful
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Outdrdad3byz
5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome addition
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
I received my SIGNED copy and am still enjoying it, the books is very enlightening, I am a huge Civil War history “geek” but even more so the medical aspect of which very few books are written, this is a welcome addition to my collection!! If you don’t already own this, buy it, you won’t be disappointed!!
2 people found this helpful
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Donna Agnelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read. A wonderful combination in the letters of ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Excellent read. A wonderful combination in the letters of Dr. Benton in describing his service during the war and his homesickness as he writes his parents expressing his lonesomeness and desire for them to write often. Well done.
2 people found this helpful
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David Marshall
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read that is worth the purchase price
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018
Christopher E. Loperfido in 2008 found the papers of James Dana Benton, an assistant surgeon with the 111th N.Y. in the Old Brutus Historical Society in Weedsport, New York in August 2008. The majority of the papers were letters jam-packed with facts about the regiment’s movements, general actions, and daily camp life from August 1862 until after the end of the Civil War in 1865. James B. Benton’s letters provides readers with his explanations, daily apprehensions, and human wants, which are insightful and important. While this title is a small paperback book, the memoir and letter provide scholars and students with an understanding of army life for a surgeon.

On August 7, 1862 Dr. Benton signed up for the U.S. army for three years. His service started with the 111th New York as an assistant surgeon on August 20, 1862. This unit was initially known as the “Harper's Ferry Cowards”. However, after fighting in many battles and campaigns such as Gettysburg, Cold Harbor and the Siege of Petersburg, they earned their fighting stripes.

Savas-Beatie has reprinted an enhanced edition of this soft covered book that was originally published in 2011. The 170-page book has 26 helpful images, sources, an index and below page notes. The five appendices provided enhance the reading experience. The author was helped in writing this volume by former colleagues Gregory Coco, Matt Atkinson, John Heiser, Scott Hartwig as well as historians Meg Groeling and Dr. Dennis Rasbach.

In the end, these fabulous letters showed who this soldier was; a doctor, a husband, a father a son and a citizen solder who was trying to help win the war for the Union and care for many soldiers from both sides of the conflict. The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862-1865.is a fast-moving volume which interested individuals will have a hard time putting down. This writer has added understanding to the many correspondence of this medical doctor. Armchair students will feel like they were present on the battlefield due to the excellent editing by Loperfido and the writing of Benton. For those interested in chronicles by soldiers, pick up a copy.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book was a page-turner from start to finish. The author makes you feel as if you are standing right next to the people writing these letters and experiencing the events first-hand.
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