Samuel K. Zook Recommends the Promotion of a Badly-Needed Surgeon, 1862

3pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.75" x 10", Camp California, dated February 20, 1862. Signed twice by Zook as "S.K. Zook Col. 57th N.Y.I" and "S.K.Z." A letter addressed to Dr. Samuel Oakley Van der Poel, Surgeon General of New York, regarding the promotion of Dr. R.V. McKim. Zook recommends the appointment and expresses that it is not only his wish but the wish of those in the regiment that McKim be promoted. The letter has flattened mail folds, with light edge toning and some ink spots. Minor ink flecks to the signature. Boldly signed, overall very fine.

The letter reads in full:

"I have before me your letter to Dr Merrill dated January 31st in which you said at that time 'I cannot as yet promote Dr. McKim' and assigned amongst other reasons his recent graduation & the fear of imposing upon him too great a responsibility. I am glad to find by your letter to me of February 11th that you have changed your views and are now more favorably disposed towards McKim. He will risk the responsibility & the Regt. will risk his experience if you can be induced to promote him. Your department in the event of 'criticism' may shelter itself behind the repeated & earnest solicitation of the regt. after four months of acquaintance with him, for his advancement. As Dr. Ferguson has not yet reported I trust I am not asking too much when I request that his prolonged delay be regarded as a declination of the appointment' and that Dr. McKim be given it. That being done there will remain but one favor more to ask - the immediate appointment of a competent assistant to take Dr. McKim's place who will report at once. The wishes I have herein expressed are those of all the officers of the regiment and I believe of Dr. Grant as well." A post-script continues, "Dr. Grant has read the above & fully concurs in the wish to have Dr. McKim promoted and his place well & immediately filled. We need our full medical staff even as we are & much more if we move forward. Yesterday a division of the Rebels advanced to Fairfax station six miles this side of Centreville."

Dr. Robert V. McKim enlisted as an assistant surgeon in the Union Army on September 27, 1861. At only 21 years old, he was one of the youngest surgeons in the Union Army. He was promoted to a full surgeon on February 20, 1862 (the same date as this letter), and went on to participate in the Peninsula Campaign, the Second Battle of Bull Run, and Antietam. He was then made acting brigade surgeon and placed in charge of the division hospital at Harper's Ferry. He resigned at the end of the year and was mustered out on December 3, 1862. Dr. McKim's skills were clearly needed at the time this letter was written as Zook's regiment was soon ordered into action during the Seven Day's Battle. His competency and handling of the wounded was praised, justifying the recommendation Zook had given the young surgeon.

Samuel K. Zook (1821-1863) was interested in a military career from an early age and became a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania militia at the age of 19. He also became a proficient telegraph operator and moved to New York to work as superintendent of the Washington and New York Telegraph Company. While in New York, he joined the 6th New York Governor's Guard and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel when the Civil War broke out. Zook helped raise the 57th New York Infantry and became a colonel of the regiment in October 1861. His first combat would be the Seven Days Battle. Later in the war, he was given command of French's brigade under Major General Hancock and continued to serve with Hancock until the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 2, 1863, the second day of the battle, Zook was struck in the shoulder, chest, and abdomen. He received medical treatment behind the lines but died the next day from his wounds.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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