Letters Sent by the Medical Officer, C.S.S. FLORIDA,
December 28, 1863 - July 31, 1864.
transcribed by Terry Foenander.
The following are transcriptions of letters sent by the medical officer of the CSS Florida, passed assistant surgeon Thomas Jonathan Charlton, to the commanders of that vessel, during the period December 28, 1863 to July 31, 1864. These copies are reproduced on National Archives Microfilm Publications, volume 3, microfilm number T 716. Additional information relating to the CSS Florida is also available, on three other microfilm volumes in that series, for sale by the National Archives.
C.S. Steamer Florida,
Brest, France. December 28, 1863.
Sir,
The condition of your health is such that I do not think you will be able to perform your duties as Commander of this ship. Your disease, "Chronic Dyspepsia" is one in which exercise and strict diet are absolutely necessary, neither of which can be procured aboard ship. Judging from the state of your health since I have been under your command, I have no hesitation in stating that in my opinion, the confinement on board would be a serious injury to you, and I can see no probability of any amendment during the trials of a cruise.
I am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[signed] T.J. Charlton,
Passed Asst. Surg.,
C.S.N.
Commander,
J.N. Barney, C.S.N.
commanding, CSS Florida.
C.S. Steamer Florida,
Brest, France.
January 29, 1864.
Sir,
William Patten, quarter gunner, is totally unfit for duty on account of his being afflicted with urinary fistula.
I therefore, with his consent, recommend that he be discharged from the service of the Confederate States.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[Signed] Thos. J. Charlton,
Passed Asst. Surg.,
C.S.N.
Lt. Comd'g.,
C.M. Morris, C.S.N.
CSS Florida.
CSS Florida,
Martinique,
April 25, 1864.
Sir,
James L. Hoole, Lieut., C.S. Navy, attached to this ship is affected with bronchitis and congestion of the upper lobe of the right lung, attended with great debility. He has been on the sick list for nearly four months without improvement. As he is unfit for duty, and as I see no probability of his recovery in the confined air, and on the salt diet, of the ship, I recommend that he be sent to the Confederate States.
I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[Signed] Thos. J. Charlton,
Passed Asst. Surg.,
C.S. Navy.
Lt. Comd'g.,
C.M. Morris, C.S.N.
CSS Florida.
CSS Florida,
Martinique,
April 29, 1864.
Sir,
John Brown, (seaman) affected with "Chronic Diarrhoea," has been on the sick list of this ship for 4 months, with slight intermissions. As he is unfit for duty and I see no probability of his recovery, with his consent, I recommend that he be discharged from the service of the Confederate States.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[signed] T.J. Charlton,
P. Asst. Surg.
CSN.
Lt. Comd'g.
C.M. Morris,
CSS Florida.
C.S. Str. Florida.
Off Bermuda.
May 12, 1864.
Sir,
Mr. Averett, Executive Officer of this ship has been affected for the last four months with vertigo, brought on in my opinion by the close application to his duties. He is at present suffering from opthalmia, and will for some time be unfit for service. As you are desirous of sending an officer with dispatches to the Department, I recommend that he be sent. He will be able to perform this duty and I think the trip will be beneficial to his health.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[signed] Thos. J. Charlton,
Passed Asst. Surgeon,
C.S.N.
Lt. Comd'g.,
C.M. Morris,
C.S. Str. Florida.
C.S. Str. Florida,
Bermuda,
June 19, 1864.
Sir,
Charles W. Quinn, 1st Asst. Engr., attached to this ship, is unfit for duty, being affected with lithiasis, accompanied with violent "nephritic colic." For the last six months he has had an average of two attacks a month, and they are becoming more frequent and severe. As I see no probability of any immediate improvement, I recommend that he be sent home on sick leave.
I am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[signed] T.J. Charlton,
Passed Asst. Surgeon,
C.S. Navy.
Lt. Comd'g.,
C.M. Morris, C.S.N.
CSS Florida.
[A letter of April 26, 1864, requesting medical items, and two dozen cans of canned beef, has been omitted.]
C.S. Steamer Florida
At Sea, 31st July 1864.
Sir,
I deem it proper to report to you that, in my opinion, E. Hammersmith, coal heaver, is totally unfit for duty, being not more than half witted and generally worthless, and I recommend that you discharge him.
I have the honor to be very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
[signed] T.J. Charlton.
To Lieut. Comd'g.,
C.M. Morris,
C.S. Steamer Florida.
These letters are reproduced here through the kind courtesy of the National Archives, and it is hoped that they will benefit researchers of the CSS Florida.
©Terry Foenander
August, 2001