War of 1812 Series, 1812-1815, 1830-1831 and undated

Extent:

2 folders and 1 box

Scope and content:

Series consists mainly of correspondence relating to Turner's work at Ft. Columbus, in particular the acquisition of supplies and matters relating to Turner's pay, and a manuscript physician's prescription and logbook.

During this period, Turner attempted to secure a commission. Turner was informed of his appointment as surgeon to the 1st Regiment of Artillery in February 1813, but, as the material in this series shows, an administrative error concerning his first name held up the issuing of his commission. In an effort to correct this mistake, Turner corresponded with Amos Stoddard (Major of the Artillery Corps at Fort Columbus), Henry Dearborn, William Simmons, John Armstrong Jr. (Secretary of War, 1813-1814), Daniel Parker (Chief Clerk of the War Department), and Joseph B. Varnum. Turner also wrote six letters to James Madison and two to James Monroe (then Secretary of War) on the issue of his commission. Turner's commission did not arrive before his death in 1815.

The logbooks consists of approximately 45 manuscript pages, with 19 of the pages covered with later newspaper clippings by his son, whose name appears on the cover. By the time of his War of 1812 service described in this volume, Philip Turner was 74 years old and still making the rounds for the 1st Regiment of Artillery at Fort Columbus on Governor's Island. His logbook entries often list the soldiers under his care and the treatment he prescribed. Venereal disease was a common complaint. Turner also visited officer's wives. Most entries are presumed to be for treatment at Fort Columbus. Turner also treated patients at the United States Arsenal on Bridge Street, at the West Battery (Castle Clinton), and at the regular recruiting rendezvous on Market Street. The newspaper clippings obscure earlier entries which likely begin on 11 June 1814 (the date on the cover of the volume).

Turner did not sign this volume, but it matches his handwriting, and most of the officers mentioned here served in the 1st Artillery during this period, including Colonel Jacob Kingsbury. This volume was inherited by Turner's grandson, John Turner Wait (1811-1899), who later represented Connecticut in Congress. Wait signed the cover, may have added the cover illustration, an engraving titled "The Monkey Prepareing to Shave the Cat," and filled half the volume with clippings dated 1830 and 1831.

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