Back in August Dr. Charles Hoyt wrote a letter praising the valor of the New York 126th’s color bearers’ at Gettysburg. The surgeon caught a fever and had to come home to recuperate.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in October 1863:
DR. HOYT. – The Penn Yan Democrat states that Dr. Charles S. Hoyt, Assistant Surgeon of the 126th Regiment, arrived home on Friday of last week, on sick leave. He has had a severe attack of fever, and is much reduced in strength.
Dr. Hoyt went back.
Dr. Hoyt promoted in May 1864
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in November 1863:
DEATH in CAPT. MCDONALD’s COMPANY. – Thomas Welch, a resident of this place, and a member of Co. K, 50th Engineer Regiment, died in the hospital near Washington, on the 29th ult.
Thomas Welch
Civil War Trust publishes a very good overview of medical issues during the Civil War, including the diseases that ravaged armies. It looks like Dr. Hoyt could have come down with several types of “fever”. You can also see a photo of Douglas Hospital in Washington, D.C. with tents for the overflow of wounded.
D.C.’s Harewood Hospital in May 1864 (Capitol in background)
