John M. Cuyler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Meck Cuyler
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| Born | March 9, 1810 Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 1884 (aged 74) Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Buried |
Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
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| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Branch | United States Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1834–1882 |
| Rank | Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Creek War of 1836 Second Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Campbell Wayne
(m. 1840–1884) |
John Meck Cuyler (born March 9, 1810 – died April 26, 1884) was an American doctor who became a high-ranking military officer. He was a military physician, meaning a doctor who worked with the army. During the American Civil War, he served as a Medical Inspector. He is especially remembered for his work at a military hospital during the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
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Early Life and Military Start
John Cuyler was born on March 9, 1810. He studied at Athens College and the United States Military Academy. On April 1, 1834, he started his military career as an Assistant Surgeon.
He served as a doctor in several conflicts. These included the Creek War of 1836 and the Second Seminole War. He also served during the Mexican–American War. On February 16, 1847, he was promoted to Major and Surgeon. He officially joined the United States Medical Corps. Before the American Civil War, he worked at the United States Military Academy from 1848 to 1855.
Service in the American Civil War
Even though John Cuyler was from the South, he chose to remain loyal to the Union during the Civil War. He was the most senior medical officer at Fort Monroe during the early years of the war. On June 11, 1862, Cuyler was promoted to Medical Inspector. He also became the Acting Medical Inspector General and a Lieutenant Colonel.
Cuyler at the Battle of Gettysburg
During the important Battle of Gettysburg, Cuyler worked at the II Corps field hospital. This was a temporary hospital set up close to the fighting. While operating on a serious wound, his scalpel (a surgical knife) accidentally cut his own finger. The wound he was treating had a dangerous infection called gangrene.
To avoid getting infected himself or spreading the disease to other patients, Cuyler made a quick decision. He bravely amputated (cut off) his own finger. For his dedicated and excellent service during the war, Cuyler received special honors. He was promoted to Colonel on November 29, 1864. Then, on March 13, 1865, he was promoted to Brigadier General.
Cuyler continued to serve in the Army after the war. He was promoted to a full Colonel on June 26, 1876. He retired from military service on June 30, 1882.
Personal Life
John Cuyler married Mary Campbell Wayne on October 15, 1840, at Christ Church. They had two children together: James Wayne Cuyler and William Clarendon Cuyler. Later in his life, he moved to Morristown, New Jersey. He passed away there on April 26, 1884. He was buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.
