Richard Sherwood Satterlee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Sherwood Satterlee
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| Birth name | Richard Sherwood Satterlee |
| Born | December 6, 1798 Fairfield, New York, United States |
| Died | November 10, 1880 (aged 83) New York City, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1822–1869 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Black Hawk War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Relations | William Satterlee |
Richard Sherwood Satterlee (1798–1880) was an important medical officer in the United States Army. He served for many years, helping soldiers in different wars and improving medical care. He is remembered for his work during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Richard Sherwood Satterlee was born on December 6, 1798. His hometown was Fairfield, New York. His father, William Satterlee, was a major in the army. He fought for America in the American Revolutionary War.
Richard became a doctor in 1818. He started his medical practice in Seneca County, New York. In 1822, he moved to Detroit. At that time, Detroit was part of the Michigan Territory. There, he married Mary S. Hunt. Her brother, John Hunt, was a judge. Richard Satterlee passed away in New York City on November 10, 1880.
Military Career Highlights
Richard Satterlee joined the U.S. Army in February 1822. He started as an assistant surgeon. His first assignment was at the Detroit Barracks.
Serving at Frontier Forts
Satterlee worked at several forts early in his career. These included Fort Niagara in New York. He also served at Fort Howard in Wisconsin. Another post was Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, Michigan. In 1831, he moved to Fort Winnebago in Wisconsin. While there, he helped during the Black Hawk War.
Campaigns in Florida and Mexico
After a second time at Fort Howard, Satterlee went to Florida. He helped with a military campaign against the Seminole people. His commanding officer, Zachary Taylor, praised his work. Taylor later became a U.S. President.
Satterlee then served at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island. After this, he joined the Mexican–American War. He worked under General Winfield Scott. Satterlee was part of major battles. These included the Battle of Molino del Rey and the Battle of Chapultepec. He returned to Fort Adams in 1848. In 1853, he survived a shipwreck. His ship, the San Francisco, sank off the coast of New York.
Role in the American Civil War
Satterlee played a big role in the American Civil War. He led the Union Army's Medical Purveyor's Office. This office was in New York City. His job was to make sure doctors had the right supplies.
He helped introduce the "Satterlee bone saw." This saw had a special "pistol grip." It was used for amputations, which is when a limb is removed. This type of saw is still used today. During the war, he was promoted to a special rank. He became a Brevet Brigadier General. He was considered for the top job in the Army Medical Corps. However, William Alexander Hammond got the position. Satterlee retired from the Army in 1869.
