On 14 April 1863, Augusta was commissioned as a major and became head surgeon
"United States, Compiled Military Service Records Of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served With The U.S. The incident garnered widespread attention, especially with abolitionist lawmakers such as Charles Sumner, who addressed the matter during a Senate floor debate. But Augusta would have none of it, and, following a brief stint of tutelage under the guidance of a professor at the university, returned to Baltimore, married, and around 1850, went to California, where he worked as a barber in the midst of the booming Gold Rush. 1825-1890. Henry Pottinger Gordon (abt.1846-1879) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree Boileau, J. Alexander Thomas Augusta was born free in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 8, 1825. See Photos. https://www.nps.gov/foth/learn/historyculture/alexander-augusta.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Thomas_Augusta?msclkid=779e Geni requires JavaScript! for Augusta also complained about being subordinate to a Black officer. Since July 3, 1863, there have been many calls for Confederate flags to be returned to their home states, and in particular, for the 28th Virginia Infantry Regiment flag return to Virginia. February 3, 2015. Chicago, Illinois, United States, The road for African Americans in the medical professions has not been easy. Growing up in Baltimore, he worked as a barber while he pursued his dream of attending medical school. In 1934 he was elected to the American College of Surgeons, only the second African American fellow since its founding. In 1853, Augusta and his wife moved to Toronto, where he enrolled in the medical faculty at Trinity College. Grave monument for Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta and his family at Arlington National Cemetery . Several other schools were founded but later closed under the reforms recommended by Fletcher Report.5, Medical associations also refused to admit African Americans, who in response created their own associations like the National Medical Association thus overcoming limitations on their careers.6. Alexander Augusta is a part of US Black heritage. National Cemetery. In 1863, following the outbreak of the American Civil War, Augusta wrote to Abraham Lincoln to request permission to serve as a surgeon for the US army. Surgeon A. T. Augusta to Major General L. Wallace, January 20, 1865, A-63 1865, Letters Received, ser. Augusta applied to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvania but was refused . He was the United States Army's first African-American physician (of a total of eight) and its highest-ranking African-American officer at the time. Alexander Thomas Augusta | Encyclopedia.com Success stories like Augustas were largely the result of a perfect storm of human qualitiespenetrating intelligence, fearlessness and determination, persistence, and a healthy sense of righteous indignation. The Military Health System and AMSUS, the society of federal health professionals, presented a series of awards. Despite being a commissioned officer and a doctor, his pay of seven dollars a month was less than that of a white private. Augusta became the first African American commissioned medical officer in the United States Army when he was appointed surgeon with the Union Army in . Daniel Hale WilliamsPioneer and Innovator., ________. In 1956 Dr. Brown became the first single woman to be an adoptive parent in the state of Tennessee. Leave a message for others who see this profile. [citation needed]. Boileau, John. of Alexander Thomas Gordon and Augusta (Whitaker) Gordon Brother of Alexander Frederick St. John Gordon [half] and Julia Elizabeth Gordon [half] Died 11 Apr 1879 in Culmore, County Londonderry, Ireland