Hunter Holmes McGuire
---------------------
Attending physician to General Thomas Johnathan "Stonewall" Jackson
in his final hours.
1835-1900
John W. Schildt in his biography of Hunter McGuire summed up the
doctor as such: "When people needed to talk, he listened. Those who
knew him said Dr. Hunter McGuire made you feel that you were the most
important person in the world." Another quote that describes the
Winchester physican is "Make not patients of your friends -but
friends of your patients."
Such a man was Hunter Holmes McGuire, a native of Winchester,
Virginia in the Northern end of the Shenandoah Valley. Born on
October 11, 1835, at age 22 he was already a professor and full
doctor. An impressive man, tall -- almost 6'4" -- thin, and handsome
with black hair and blue eyes, Dr. McGuire was a believer in State's
Rights and Virginia and thus embarked on a career as a Confederate
Medical Officer in 1861.
At first, he signed up to fight as a private in the Winchester Rifles
(Co. F of the 2nd Virginia which fought in the Stonewall Brigade),
but McGuire was too valuable to serve as a foot soldier when the
Confederacy needed trained doctors. McGuire served under many
different commanders; among them were Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson,
Richard Ewell, and Jubal Early. It is, however, as Jackson's surgeon
that Dr. McGuire is remembered. McGuire would later say: "The noblest
heritage I shall hand down to my children is the fact that Stonewall
Jackson condescended to hold me and treat me as his friend."
McGuire served in all the major battles of the Army of Northern
Virginia as the medical director of the famed Second Corps. In May of
1863, Jackson was wounded in the arm by friendly fire at the battle
of Chancellorsville. After a week long battle with pneumonia, Jackson
died of the pneumonia. (note: modern physicans think Jackson probably
died of a pulomanry embolism, not pneumonia as McGuire thought) A
picture of McGuire taken in mid-May shows him looking gaunt and
exhausted, both indicative of the tireless efforts he put forth in an
attempt to save his friend and patient. In fact, Dr. McGuire
attempted to give his patient and friend round the clock care.
McGuire saw many tragedies in his career as a medical officer for the
dying Confederacy. His good friend and commander Jackson died. His
tent-mate Sandie Pendelton was mortally wounded in the Valley in
1864. McGuire's own brother Hugh was mortally wounded in 1865. His
beloved home the Shenandoah Valley was in flames. And McGuire himself
was captured at Waynesboro on March 2nd. Paroled by General Sheridan
for his policy of not keeping Union Surgeons, McGuire was with the
Army of Northern Virginia and tasted the bitter defeat of surrender
at Appomattox Court House.
McGuire after the War went to Richmond where he built a hospital of
his own and had a career that was varied and productive, and often
included helping one who had worn the gray during the Civil War.
Especially at first, but later as well, he would work without pay. He
forever remained a staunch supporter of Jackson's reputation and
image, writing several biographical sketches and giving speeches
about his former commander. McGuire served also as a professor after
the War, was president of numerous medical organizations and societys
including the American Medical Assocaiation. In addition, he married
and fathered 10 children, some of whom followed in his footsteps in
pursuing medical careers. He died of complications of a cerberal
embolism on September 19, 1900. He is buried amongst many Confederate
notables in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery. A statue stands on the
Virginia State House grounds to the Winchester physican.
Hunter McGuire was a truly gifted individual. He was a deft surgeon,
a highly gifted and competent doctor, a superb teacher, an
outstanding orator, a brilliant administrator, and a prolific writer
and author. One person remembered the physican in consulting with his
patients was "like a husband pondering the problems of the sick wife;
the father looking down on the afflicted child." His contributions to
Virginia, the Confederacy, the United States, and medicine as a whole
can not be overlooked.
For more information read: "Doctor in Gray" by John Schildt, "Hunter
McGuire: Stonewall's Surgeon" by Maurice Shaw, or "Stonewall Jackson"
by James Robertson.
