The author of this book deserves prominence among those of whom personal sketches are in the volume, both on account of his service with the First Cavalry Regiment of Iowa and because of his labors in massing its history within reasonable compass and within the reach of all. A correspondent wrote him, when the task was assumed. that he was not the right man for historian of the regiment, because he would not do himself justice. The remark was correct, and yet, in all other respects, undoubtedly Surgeon Lothrop was the most competent man in the organization to chronicle its patriotic deeds of heroic years. His abilities and methods of observation, his position and habit of making notes, added to his brotherly regard for and intense admiration of the soldiers of the command, rendered him the fittest man for the work — a labor of love and of life indeed to him, and of gratification to his compatriots.
The paragraphs following are from different pens — written by a professional associate, a comrade of the war, and a citizen friend. (a portion of the latter's having before appeared in print.) — but altogether are very inadequate to the occasion.
The subject of this sketch, Charles Henry Lothrop, M. D., was born at Taunton. Massachusetts. September 3d, 1831. He was of English descent, and could proudly trace his lineage back through Rev. John Lothrop, who arrived in this country September 18th. 1634, to the time of Richard the Second.
After passing through the Taunton high school and the University grammar school, he entered Brown University and there fitted himself for the study of his chosen profession, leaving Brown University before completing his course, to accept the position of superintendent of schools at Youngstown. Ohio, which position he held for a year. He then entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, and after two years of professional study graduated from that institution June 30th, 1858. He located in Lyons, Iowa, in July of the same year, and at once took an eminent position among the physicians, and by his studies, investigations and writings was known to the profession throughout the State as a man of ability in his calling.
At the breaking out of the rebellion Governor Kirkwood appointed him Additional Assistant Surgeon of the First Iowa Cavalry. Afterward he was promoted to be Assistant Surgeon, and upon the retirement of Surgeon Cochran was promoted to be Surgeon of that regiment, which position he held until its final muster out in March. 1866.
The ripe experience gained during the five years of service in the army added to the firm foundation laid by his early studies, eminently fitted him upon his return home to become one of the foremost surgeons of the day — a rank which he maintained to the day of his death; and it is an evidence of the mental superiority of the man, that, in spite of the terrible affliction which he suffered — the germs of which were contracted during those days of marching and nights of exposure which are so clearly depicted in the foregoing pages, and which for seventeen long years made his life such a torture as none can conceive but those who were with him and attended him, and which he knew could only end in death — he could take such an interest in his profession as to maintain such a position. He died at his home in Lyons, Iowa. February 6th, 1890.
The foregoing history, written by the regimental historian, the late Major and Surgeon Charles H. Lothrop, contains little mention of himself or his personal services while Surgeon of our regiment. To me has been assigned this pleasant yet sad duty. I feel that others more able than myself should have undertaken this, and yet none can have a greater love or kinder remembrances of our dear comrade than the writer. Being but a boy when in the service, I shall always remember the many kind words spoken to me by him and the attention I received at his hands.
Comrade Lothrop was greatly beloved by every member of his regiment. I am safe in saying that no regiment in the Union army received better care at the hands of their Surgeon than the First Iowa Cavalry while in charge of Dr. Lothrop. Always with the boys, whether on the battle field, the march, in the camp or hospital — during his four years of service he was on duty in fifty-two engagements — ever present, with nothing but kind words and loving hands to minister to their wants. An ardent patriot, a true friend, a faithful surgeon, a man whose kindness of heart was exceeded only by his ability as a physician and surgeon, “his boys" will ever remember in kindness the many sacrifices he made for them.
General Burdett says: “I desire to express my great admiration for the many qualities of his character which made him a man quite above the common level of our kind. No truer patriot, no braver soldier, no kindlier man than Dr. Lothrop, was to be found among the survivors of the great struggle in which he won the love and admiration of his comrades."
The truth of Comrade Burdett's assertion can be testified to by all survivors of the First Iowa Cavalry. Courteous to all. the humblest private received the same consideration at his hands as did the Major General commanding the department. No officer in the regiment was more active than he to relieve the regiment of the dishonor cast upon it by General Custer. While some were evidently afraid to express their opinions, Comrade Lothrop was outspoken and fearless of the result. Reporting the matter to the Governor of Iowa, he was largely instrumental in causing the court martial of Custer and his retirement for a year from the army.
What more can be said of our comrade than this? He was beloved by all. and gave his life for the boys he loved so well. Ever anxious to relieve their suffering, he by over-work and exposure contracted the disease which caused such terrible suffering the last twenty years of his life and culminated in his death. Mourned by all lovers of the Union, he will be sadly missed by all his old comrades, in whose interest he labored so long and faithfully. May he rest in peace.
The Doctor was a prominent figure in Lyons, professionally and personally, for thirty years, notwithstanding the fact that paralysis deprived him of the use of his lower limbs seventeen years ago. Under this disadvantage he has, by indomitable will, and as a consequence of his acknowledged skill as physician and surgeon, attended to a large office practice most of the time, besides discharging the duties of Examining Surgeon for Pensions: and further, has compiled and issued State Medical Directories, and performed other [authorial] labors. His latest, most valuable and most laborious literary achievement has been the writing of a history of the First Iowa Cavalry, which, with the help of his wife as amanuensis, after years of correspondence and investigation, was practically completed a few weeks before his death.
From “A Genealogical Memoir of the La-Lothrop Family," published in 1884, though in part tautological, we extract: "Dr. Lothrop is a member of the Iowa and Illinois Central Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He has also been an efficient President of the Clinton County Medical Society, a member of the Examining Committee of the Medical Department Iowa State University, and since 1868 an Examining Surgeon for pensions. He is author of the Medical and Surgical Directory of Iowa, and has written several medical essays, some of which have been published in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal."
He was a member of Colonel N. B. Howard Post. G. A. R., of De Witt, a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, and the "Charles H. Lothrop Camp, Sons of Veterans," of Dysart, Iowa, was named after him — which honor he reciprocated by the presentation of a superb banner.
Dr. Lothrop was a man of earnest convictions and strong feelings, and like all such men made hearty friends and bitter enemies. At his best, he was an intense patriot whose ardor continued to the end; a faithful comrade, rendering his work on the history of his regiment a genuine labor of love; an unfaltering and valued friend where he was friendly; and at the close was moved to the depths of his heart with gratitude for the hourly care given him by his wife for nearly a score of years, which unremitted attention alone made life tolerable.
Upon no other Army Surgeon have we ever heard so much praise bestowed by soldiers as upon Dr. Lothrop — and the First Iowa Cavalry passed through many scenes where the worth of Surgeon as well as lighting men was fully tried — and his proudest memento was the regard of the men with whom he had encountered the dangers of war, and many of whom he had rescued from death.
REGISTER OF SERVICE.
In Department of Missouri, from May 26th to September 20th, 1862. In Army of Southwest Missouri, from September 28th to October 16th, 1862. In Army of the Frontier, from October 16th, 1862, to June 5th, 1863. With Arkansas expedition, from June 5th, and in Army of Arkansas and Seventh Army Corps. Cavalry Division, from December, 1863, to May, 1864. In Department of Missouri, from July to December, 1863. In Department of Arkansas, January. 1865. In District of West Tennessee, from February to June. 1865. In Division of the Gulf, from June 23d to February l5th, 1866.
()n detached service, in charge of Post Hospital at Clinton, Missouri, May 26th, 1862. Medical Director Army of the Frontier, December 10th, 1862, and in charge of Field Hospital at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Member of Medical Board to examine qualifications of an Assistant Surgeon, May 27th, 1863. In charge of the Bloomfield General Field Hospital, July 17th, 1863. President of Medical Board for examination of cavalrymen recommended for discharge for disability. October 13th, 1863. Assigned to duty in Seventh Army Corps Hospital, April 7th, 1864. Senior Surgeon of brigade, October 13th. 1864. Surgeon-in-Chief of Cavalry Division, January 22d, 1865. Senior Surgeon of brigade, April, I865. President of Medical Board for examination of officers and enlisted men, August 2d, I865. In charge of hospital steamer Starlight to New Orleans, August 7th, 1865. Senior Surgeon of brigade, February 7th, 1866.
— Desultory and lacking as these tributes to Surgeon Lothrop but profess to be, full acknowledgment of the intelligent and indispensable supervision of publication by Mrs. Lothrop should here be made by Association committee and printer. In the preparation of the history, and more and more as the work advanced, and as his powers failed, she had been feet and hands, eyes and pen to the author; and when no longer able to direct the final details, he was fully content to constitute his co-laborer his literary legatee — and the wisdom of his trust is attested by the unusual completeness and correctness of his great work.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 317-21
