Civil War Letters of John W. Derr: My Name is Mary Sutter: A Novel

Friday, September 23, 2011

My Name is Mary Sutter: A Novel - My Review

About a week ago, my wife Laura, recommended a book that I might like to read and that would dovetail nicely with this blog. The book is titled; "My Name is Mary Sutter: A Novel", by Robin Oliveira, and was one she had read earlier in the year. In general, Laura and I enjoy different types and styles of books. Her...dramas, historical novels, and fun reads....me...history, sci-fi and the occasional literature in order to assuage my embarrassment over having read Cliff's Notes all through high school and college. So, I was a little nervous about taking up one of "her" books to read. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book! For what it's worth, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars...where 5 stars are reserved for classics and my sci-fi favorites.

The book is centered on the life of a young (20 year old) woman, Mary Sutter, who a wealthy northerner during the time just prior and during the Civil War. She lives with her Mother, twin sister and brother with the father having just died prior to the start of the book. Mary's mother is a midwife and Mary grew to love the medical field through support to her mother's midwifery. After becoming an acknowledged midwife of her own, Mary's single desire in life is to become a medical doctor...specifically a surgeon...in a time where women were not welcome in that profession. Many attempts at both medical school applications and internships with physicians failed and a frustrated Mary decides to answer the call to become a nurse during the onset of the Civil War. The story takes the reader through the horrors that was the medical field as well as the hospital situation at that time. From the battle of Bull Run through Antietam, Mary becomes an accomplished physician in her own right. A story well told and gripping.

Laura hit the nail on the head with this one. With JWD's wounding at the Second Battle of Bull Run, I was able to "live" the experience he must have had, being wounded in the leg...being taken prisoner...being parole to Georgetown College Hospital and ultimate transferred to Philadelphia's Cherry Street Hospital and released. His total time from the wounding on August 30th, 1862 to his release in January 1862 was 5 months. I never really understood why it took so long. Now I know.

As Oliveira describes in the book, if the wound didn't kill you...infection would. If infection didn't kill you...other disease would. If disease didn't kill you...starvation would. Quite amazing that JWD survived. Not surprisingly....it was also the reason for his short life.

Jim D.

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Welcome

With 2011 being the 150th year since the start of the American Civil War, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share letters written by my great-great grandfather, John W. Derr during the course of the war. I have completed posting each letter on the 150th anniversary of their creation (mostly!). Since Private Derr did not write his letters in a consistent pattern...sometimes there are gaps in time better one letter and the next...This blog includes gap filler with other information relevant to him and his regiment. As I posted each letter, I created a corresponding link on the right side of the webpage to provide easy access and reference as you read each posting. I hope you enjoy the history of this common soldier during the most tumultuous time in our nation's history.

Additionally, I recently completed a long anticipated project by publishing a book "A Widow's Due" in June of 2020. This book is primarily about the life of my Great-great grandmother, Magdalena Diehl Derr, the widow of John W. Derr. It is based on years of research and much documentation, and whereas it is a work of "creative non-fiction", it is accurate and true to the documents and records I was able to find. Please visit my other website relating to the book as well as other upcoming projects at: www.jamespderr.com. Thank you.

Biography of Private John W. Derr

John W. Derr (JWD) was born in Barry Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1839.

He enlisted in the Union Army in September of 1861 and was mustered into the 48^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg Pa, in that same month. From Harrisburg, the 48^th PVI transitioned through Baltimore, MD and then down the Chesapeake Bay to Fort Monroe in Virginia. From there, the 48^th PVI was attached to the larger Burnsides Expedition to North Carolina (Hatteras/New Berne area). After the North Carolina expedition the 48^th PVI was moved north and participated in the 2^nd battle of Bull Run, where JWD was wounded on August 29^th, 1862 and taken prisoner. He was paroled by the Confederates, and was transported to Georgetown College Hospital in Washington, D.C. After staying in Washington and missing the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, he was transferred to the Cherry and Broad Street hospital in Philadelphia, Pa in December of 1863. He was subsequently furloed home for further recuperation.

His unit was then detached for guard duty in Kentucky and Tennessee, where his unit re-enlisted in December 1863 at Blains Crossroads, TN. In 1864, the 48^th PVI was involved in Grant’s campaigns of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, etc…and eventually the Petersburg Campaign. JWD, as part of the 48^th PVI was integral in the digging of the Mine Crater. Documentation of his participation in the actual mining activities and subsequent illness from the damp/cold conditions are documented in his post mortem pension application by his widow, Magdalena Derr. Pension affidavits by his fellow soldiers indicate that his participation in the mining activities, along with his wounding at 2^nd Bull Run were the primary cause of his early death in 1876

In addition to his participation in the Petersburg Siege, JWD participated in the 1863 Army review by President Lincoln in Washington, D.C., the Grand Review of 1865 in Washington, D.C.

He was mustered out of the Army in July of 1865 and returned home to live out his remaining short life, dying on January 12, 1876 at age 37.

Friday, September 23, 2011

My Name is Mary Sutter: A Novel - My Review

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