The maker, H. Hernstein of New York, was located at 393 Broadway
(address on the capital saw) during the Civil War period 1862-1865. Shown
here is an extensive surgical set of the type which could have been used in the
field during the Civil War. It is a civilian surgical set, with center
lock, but containing a bullet forceps which helps identify the possible use of
the set. The address on the instruments means
the set was made between 1862 - 1865 and most likely was purchased by the owner
during that time after he left the Confederate Army in 1891. Hernstein was
located at the following addresses according to
Edmonson:
|
H. Hernstein, N.Y., sets are wanted for this collection... complete or partial sets
and instruments
|
Hermann Hernstein surgical instruments, NY
1843:
3 Chambers
1844: Elizabeth cor. Hester
1845-48: 7 Hague
1850: no listing
1851-52: 68 Duane
1853-54: 81 Duane
1855-57: 81 Duane and 393 Broadway
1858: 81 Duane, 131 Mercer, and 393 Broadway 1859-61: 131 Mercer and 393
Broadway
Hermann Hernstein & Son (Hermann and Albert L. Hernstein) 1862-65:
131 Mercer and 393 Broadway
Hermann Hernstein & Son & Co. 1865:
2 Liberty and 393 Broadway
Hermann Hernstein & Co. 1866-67:
2 Liberty and 393 Broadway
The top of the case is
marked with the owner's name W.T.Jordan, M.D. Nansemond
County VA
William Turner Jordan
(1835-1922), went to and graduated from medical school prior to the Civil War,
but is not listed as having served as a medical officer or surgeon during the
War to the best of my knowledge, but that could easily be incorrect. He graduated from the University of New York, Medical Department in
1859 and was practicing in Driver, VA until 1890. It is possible he
enlisted as a contract physician in the Confederate Army, but is is also
possible he served as an infantry officer. He was a practicing doctor
during the early part of the War when this set was made.
His service record states: Enlisted as a
lieutenant 2nd class on 21 of April 1861 in
Hargroves Tavern, Va., Commission in Co. F, 3rd Inf. Va. on 21 April 1861.
Resigned on 17 Sept. 1861. Fought in 3 battles. Born on 13 Nov. 1835.,
Occupation: Physician. (It is unknown if he worked as a contract surgeon
after resigning in Sept. 1861, but that is entirely possible. Given the
known dates of the manufacture of the set by Hernstein, it is highly likely the
owner, W. T. Jordan owned this set during the Civil War.
Here is a note sent to W. T. Jordan's
children regarding his wartime whereabouts.
It is generally believed a Confederate
surgeon held the rank of Maj. or better, but The Confederate Medical Department
states: "...there were a number of contract surgeons or acting assistant
surgeons, with the pay of a second lieutenant of infantry, who were temporarily
employed, nearly all of these, however, at some period....were commissioned or
dropped from the Army rolls. Click here for full text of this information
on the
Confederate Medical
Department organization.
The large mahogany case
measures 17 x 9 1/2 x 4 inches and is lined with red velvet. There is one
removable tray, The set includes instruments for: trepanning, eye
surgery, amputation, urology, and oddly enough...ear surgery. The
set is civilian issue, but contains a bullet forceps, and urinary sounds, both
of which would be found in military sets of the era.
See a
comparison
of two Civil War era surgical sets by Hernstein.
