Swamp Doctor: The Diary of a Union Surgeon in the Virginia and North Carolina Marshes

by William Mervale Smith, Thomas P. Lowry (Editor)

An insightful account of one Union surgeon's Civil War experiences.

Genres: History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Manray9 · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're looking for a personal account of the practice of military medicine during the Civil War, this isn't it. William Mervale Smith's diaries, published as Swamp Doctor: The Diary of a Union Surgeon in the Virginia and North Carolina Marshes, provide little insight into the subject. Dr. Smith was vain and self-absorbed. His everyday concerns didn't extend to his patients. Smith was preoccupied with the quality of his dinners, the comfort of his beds, the picturesque nature of the sunsets, and the fidelity of his fiancée. While such concerns may not be unusual for a soldier in the field, they're not of interest to most readers of Civil War history.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and the insights into a man dealing with extraordinary experiences. Other reviewers seem to have complained about the book's relevance and entertainment value, but it was written in the 1800s as a personal diary during wartime, and Dr. Smith certainly wouldn't have expected it to have become a novel all these years since. I appreciated his observations on, say, the sunset when in the midst of an otherwise dreary situation. The editor provides helpful insight with regard to battles, places, persons of interest.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I am not a Civil War historian as I found this book dull. I had thought with it being from a surgeon that it would have some interesting case histories or treatment information, but instead, most of it is about being in camp or marching somewhere.

[Emily Brown]

couldn't finish, not really what i expected. usually i love lowry's history, but this was just boring.