David Camden de Leon facts for kids
David Camden de Leon (born May 6, 1816 – died September 2, 1872) was a brave doctor known as "the fighting doctor." He was born in Camden, South Carolina. His family were Jewish, with roots from Spain and Portugal. His father, Mordecai Hendricks de Leon, was also a doctor. He served as mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, three times. David had two brothers, Edwin de Leon and Thomas Cooper de Leon. He became a doctor in 1836 after studying at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
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A Doctor in the Army
David de Leon joined the United States Army in 1838. He started as an Assistant Surgeon. He served with honor in the Seminole War. This was a conflict in Florida.
The Mexican-American War
When the Mexican War began, David de Leon went with General Zachary Taylor. He traveled to the Rio Grande river. He was part of many battles. He entered Mexico City when it surrendered.
At the battle of Chapultepec, he earned his famous nickname. He was called "the Fighting Doctor." This happened because he led a cavalry charge two times. He took command after the officer leading was killed or hurt. For his bravery, the United States Congress thanked him twice.
Life on the Frontier
After the Mexican War, David de Leon was sent to work on the frontier. In 1856, he became a surgeon. He held the rank of major.
The American Civil War
When the Civil War started, David de Leon resigned from the U.S. Army. Many officers from the South did this. He gave up his chance to become the U.S. Surgeon-General.
Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, appointed him. David de Leon became the head of the Confederacy's medical department. Soon after, he was the acting Surgeon-General for the Confederacy.
After the War
When the Civil War ended, he went to Mexico. He went with other Confederate soldiers. He had vowed not to return to the South. He soon came back to New Mexico. He had been stationed there before. He also owned property there. He continued to work as a doctor until his death. He died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1872.
