[War of 1812]. Manuscript "Journal of Surgical Practice on Board the U.S. Birg. Argus," compiled by the ship's surgeon, James Inderwick

[WAR OF 1812]

"JOURNAL OF SURGICAL PRACTICE ON BOARD THE U.S. BIRG. ARGUS," BEING A PAIR OF MANUSCRIPT JOURNALS, COMPILED BY THE SHIP'S SURGEON, JAMES INDERWICK, BETWEEN MAY-AUGUST 1813

2 volumes, 4to (7 7/8 x 9 5/8 in.; 201 x 245 mm). Manuscript title to each volume, 35pp (vol. I) and 73pp (vol. II) of neat script in sepia ink; some toning, minor staining to title-pages, ink stamps to title-pages, minor marginal toning. Half red morocco and gray paper-covered boards, extremities rubbed, corners bumped, spines largely perished, some soiling. [With:] Paltsits, Victor Hugo (ed.). Cruise of the U.S. Brig Argus in 1813[,] Journal of Surgeon James Inderwick. New York: The New York Public Library, 1917. 4to (7 x 10 1/8 in.; 178 x 255 mm). Original tan wrappers; some minor toning. [With:] Other related ephemera.

"August 14th — This morning had an Action with the British Sloop of War Pelican, which eventuated in our capture by the enemy's vessel..."

In June 1813, during the War of 1812 with America, the US Brig Argus embarked from New York with orders to raid British coastal commerce, causing panic in the British and Irish shipping trade. On the morning of 14 August, HM Brig Pelican engaged Argus off St David's Head. After a fierce battle, Argus surrendered. Her surgeon was James Inderwick, whose writing tells of his work in the US Navy. "August 15," Inderwick writes. "The following are the cases of the number wounded in the action yesterday, as far as they are at present accounted..." 

The present pair of journals offers detailed accounts of the injuries the men sustained. "William H. Allen Esq. Commander," Inderwick records. "He was severely wounded, a short time after the commencement of the action, by a 32 pd cannon shot in the left knee. The ball carried off the condyles of the (?) and the upper extremity of the Tibia, and divided the large blood, vessels, nerves, &ct.- laying posterior to those bones. The leg remained attached to the thigh..."  

During this period, surgeons were solely responsible for all health care of the officers, men, and boys of their ships. They often didn't have much medical training. Similar to doctors on shore, were not required to have a medical degree and were generally trained by apprenticeship. Inderwick, however, seems to offer an exception to this. His notes, as evidenced above, show a remarkable level of detail and technical understanding. 

A remarkable set of journals, offering a gritty, first-hand account of the realities of war 

PROVENANCE:

Samuel Mitchill (owner inscriptions to title-pages) — American Institute Library (stamps to title-pages, and stamps to front pastedowns)