Evening journal., 1912-07-13
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
StOnewall JaCkSOn'S Tribute
to a Union Volunteer
Surgeon
By Holland

The man who was practically the
father OF the American system OF
quarantine at our ports Of entry was
the late DR. John Swinburne, whose
name is borne by one OF the islands
that are embraced in the great quar-
'antine station at New York DR.
Swinburne was made superintendent
OF this quarantine station in 1853,
and during his service there he built
up the finest quarantine station in
the world. which became the model
for the reorganization Of the other
quarantine stations OF the country.
Before DR.. Swinburne's superintend-
ency, cholera and yellow fever fre-
quently entered the country by way
Of the port of New York His system
OF quarantine put an absolute end 70
invasions of this sort
When the Civil War broke out Dr.
Swinburne was practicing medicine
in Albany, n Y Some months after
the conflict had been under way, he
introduced himself TO the war COVER
nor, f. d. Morgan, and said in a mod
est, almost shy manner:
Governor Morgan, / have come TO
you TO offer my services as a surgeon
and physician, hoping that you will
send me to the camps where the New
York troops are"
Il can't give you any appointment
at present that will bring you any
salary" Governor Morgan replied
"Oh, | don't want any salary said
DR.. Swinhurne. Il shall be only too
willing to serve the State and my
country as a surgeon without any re-
compense. ! can do that much for
the cause"
Or. Swinburne," answered Cover
nor Morgan. II know you by reputa-
ton know what your achieve
ments in the way of sanitary work
have been, and that you are master
of the science Of anatomy. If you are
willing to receive authority from me
10 serve az a VOLUNTEER surgeon l shall
be very glad TO send you to the front.
7 shall however have 10 send you
to General McClellands army. for /
doubt If any discrimination can be
made in favor Of New York troops
DR.. Swinburne eagerly seized the
opportunity thus offered TO him, as
soon as possible started for the front,
and was next heard OF serving as a
VOLUNTEER surgeon in the Union hospi-
tails established- at Savage's Station,
on the Peninsula. after the great bat
tie Of that name had been fought be-
tween McClellan's army and Lee
At the close of the battle, the Army
Of the Potomac continued its seven
days retreat to the-James River. An
officer who knew DR. Swinburne and
saw him working among the wound
ed said to him that unless he was
willing TO risk capture by the Con-
federates he had better join the re-
treat.
NO siri" Dir. swinburne replied
81 stay here shall spend my tins
night and day attending 70 the wound
ed soldiers II will make no differ
ence 10 me whether they are Union
or Confederate soldiers. Here
stay"
And thers he stayed and was
found by the advance Of the Confed-
crate army. There was week when
he got scarcely any sleep and he had
very little to eat When he was not
at the operating table or at the cots
in the hospitals he was here and
there throughout the camp perfect
ing sanitation He was in constant
danger Of typhoid fever and OF other
camp ills. But he had no thought for
himself
Stonewall Jackson heard OF the
noble devotion Of this physician anc
surgeon to the wounded. caring a:
faithfully for Confederate as fol
Union soldiers. Thereupon Jackson
who was a man who had no senti-
ment in war. wrote a communication
which he sent 70 Dr swinburne II
was not only a pass but a tribute
! For Jackson said that Dr. Swinburne
would be welcomed anywhere within
| the Confederate lines. not as an
enemy under parole. but as a guest
who was serving humanity. II is
doubtful 81 Jackson issued another
such writing at any time during his
military career
II was this service OF DIT. Swim
burne's which led Horatio Seymour
Democratic Governor Of New York
20 appoint DIT Swinburne superin.
tendent Of the quarantine station IL
New York in 1868. And although il
was a Democratic appointment It wa.
unanimously confirmed by the Re
publican Legislature.
(Coupyrieht. 1912. by F. j. Edwards
All rights reserved)