U.S. Civil War Surgeons

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

We have Dr. David McFalls a Surgeon of the U.S. Civil War who I came across in the Roster of the glorious 106th New York Vols; however it appears he doesn’t belong on this roster at all and why he is listed is unknown. He is mentioned being part of the 42nd New York; however his memorial and gravestone including the Civil War Database places him with the 142nd New York. 

Dr. David McFalls is a bit of a mystery? We need collaboration in understanding more about this veteran by adding sources and categorizing properly.

On a side note: Why is there no U.S. Civil War Surgeon free space page yet started? It would be a wonderful addition to the U.S. Civil War Project. Maybe even a category for these men who were Surgeon's and Assistant surgeons. 

We have a free space etc for the nurses of the U.S. Civil War  and Category: Nurses, United States Civil War

Thank you

Let’s get these veterans connected 

Note: I added this surgeon to field and staff of the glorious 106th NYV until we find him a home

Comments

Found it see Category: Union Army Surgeons

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Thanks Andrew! I'm related to Civil War Surgeon Yorick Gordon Hurd and will add him to this category. I even found a photo of him in uniform.

Answer 1

Here's an oddity.  In Roster of All Regimental Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons in the Late War (1882), Newton H. Strait lists him (at Page 179) in the 142nd New York:

Falls, David - Surgeon - Park City, Utah Ter. - From September, '62. HR

HR means "Has records or private records."

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Roster_of_All_Regimental_Surgeons_and_As/gBos84jxIBoC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=David+McFalls+Surgeon&pg=RA3-PA179&printsec=frontcover

I wonder what he was doing in Utah Territory.

Comments

Here's another listing of him in the 142nd from September 29, 1862, to June 7, 1865:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_in_the_War_of_the_Rebellion_186/oBlEAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=David+McFalls+Surgeon&pg=PA3644&printsec=frontcover

And a record of where he attended medical school (Castleton Medical College):

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Transactions_of_the_Medical_Society_of_t/ka4DAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=David+McFalls+Surgeon&pg=PA406&printsec=frontcover

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Here's an article in The Rocky Mountain Medical Review in 1881 from David McFalls of Park City:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Rocky_Mountain_Medical_Review/6ZYCAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=David+McFalls+Surgeon&pg=PA468&printsec=frontcover

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BINGO. Here is a biography of him from Tullidge's Quarterly Magazine with lots of information, including about his military service:

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Tullidge_s_Quarterly_Magazine/1xTZAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=David+McFalls+Surgeon&pg=PA503&printsec=frontcover

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Hi Roger,

Thank you! Excellent sources! He really was a veteran of the 142nd NYV (per the sources). I’m baffled why he is even on the 106th roster as he never joined this Regt. 

The whole westward move to Utah is intriguing! Imagine in that era traveling to Utah! Maybe by train? The hazards along the way if by wagon? 

Still reviewing the wonderful sources