George Miller Sternberg; a biography

Preface

The following pages have been written in the sincere hope that the hfe and work of General Sternberg may serve as an inspiration to the present and future generations of American physicians to achieve renown in the science of preventive medicine.

To my near friends who have known of my efforts and have given me encouragement and sympathy, I desire to express my thanks. I am especially indebted to Dr. George M. Kober and Mr. Emile Berliner for aid and encouragement in my work, and to Drs. Fielding H. Garrison and Frank J. Stockman, both of the Surgeon-General's Library, for the revision of the manuscript for the press. Last but not least I desire to express my heartfelt thanks to the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association for undertaking the publication of this volume, and also to Dr. George H. Simmons, the distinguished editor of its Journal, for valuable suggestions in the preparation of the manuscript.

MARTHA L. STERNBERG.

Washington, D. C.

May 20, 1920

Foreword

This biography of General Sternberg is a historical record of especial interest to the medical profession and to the medical officers of the United States Army. Written by his widow, the companion and co-worker of his active life, it is authoritative. Of unusual charm are the chapters dealing with army life in the old days at the Southern and Western posts, a theme which has been usually dealt with only by our novelists. The record of the military and scientific career of the man himself is of permanent value.

The story of General Sternberg's Hfe is one of arduous devotion to duty, of unflagging industry and of unexcelled patriotism. Entering the Army in 1861, at the age of 23, he served through the Civil War with courage and ability. It is said that he saw more active service on the battle field and in Indian campaigns than any other medical officer of his time. After the Civil War, he acquired an unusual experience in dealing with epidemics of cholera and yellow fever, and was himself a temporary victim of the latter disease. His interest in these infections led him to take up the study of bacteriology, in which he was originally self-taught. He was the pioneer bacteriologist of this country.

Through his books on the value of commercial disinfectants, on bacteriology, malarial fever, immunity and serum therapy, he was the earliest to teach American physicians the fundamental principles and technic of bacteriology, including the culture methods and photomicrography. In 1880, he discovered the micro-organism of pneumonia, before Pasteur announced his findings. He was the first in this country to show the organisms of malarial fever, cholera and tuberculosis. His researches on malarial fever and yellow fever made it clear that neither of these diseases could be caused by a bacterial organism. These negative findings were of the utmost importance in establishing the true causal relations in these infections. We can only appreciate the worth of such researches vi FOREWORD

in the light of Bacon's axiom: "It is easier to evolve the truth from error than from confusion." Before their publication, confusion reigned.

As Surgeon-General of the Army (1893-1902), Sternberg created the Army Medical School, organized the Army Nurse Corps and the Dental Corps, established the Tuberculosis Hospital at Fort Bayard, and many general hospitals during the Spanish-American War. His own early difficulties in acquiring the knowledge for which he thirsted led him to the liberalminded policy of encouraging medical officers to engage in scientific research in laboratories established by him in the larger post hospitals. Similar aims resulted in the establishment by him of the Typhoid Fever Board (Majors Reed, Vaughan and Shakespeare), which gave us a new point of view for the prevention of this disease; and of the Yellow Fever Commission, headed by Major Walter Reed, who, with his associates, discovered that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito. The enormous gain to medicine and public hygiene through these discoveries is well known.

Finally, after his retirement from active duty in the Army, General Sternberg devoted the evening of his life to social welfare activities in Washington, of which his work on sanitary improvement of habitations and the care of the tuberculous was perhaps the most important. He was highly honored in his lifetime, a president of the American Medical Association and of many other imjwrtant scientific societies.

The present volume has been revised for the press by Lieut. - Col. F. H. Garrison and Dr. Frank J. Stockman, both of the Surgeon-General's Library. Written as it is by a lady of the Army, about one of the most eminent of our Medical Corps, I cordially commend the book to the medical profession.

M. W. IRELAND, Surgeon-General, U. S. Army.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Early Life 1

II, Civil War Record 4

Chapter One Early Life

George Miller Sternberg was born at Hartwick Seminary, Otsego County, New York, June 8, 1838. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Levi Sternberg, A.M., D.D., and Margaret Levering [Miller] Sternberg. His surroundings in early childhood made a lasting impression on him, and through life he cherished a fond memory of the beautiful quiet valley and of the hills over which he had roamed, made famous by the writings of Fenimore Cooper.

His father, born in Schoharie County, New York, in 1814, was the youngest son of John and Anna Sternberg, and was descended from one of the oldest Lutheran families of the Palatinate who settled in Schoharie and the Mohawk valleys at an early date.^ Imbued with the desire for a liberal education, in 1828 he entered Hartwick Seminary, where he spent five years preparing to enter Union College. He possessed a remarkably active mind, was an original thinker, positive in his convictions and ready to pass intelligent judgment on a variety of subjects. He graduated from Union College with honor and from the Theological Seminary at Hartwick, and received the degree of D.D. from Union College. Later he was chosen principal of Hartwick Theological Seminary, and for thirteen years he imparted a new impetus to the institution and added largely to the number of students.

Margaret Levering Miller was the eldest daughter of the Rev. George B. Miller, D.D., especially learned in ancient and modern languages and in theology, and for many years professor of theology at Hartwick Seminary. Like her father, she was possessed of an unusual faculty in acquiring languages. At the age of 19, when she was married, she had a good knowledge of Latin, read German, Spanish and French with facility,

1. The first wheat was sown in Schoharie County in the fall of 1713 and was sown by Lambert Sternberg, in Gerlachsdorf. . . . The first bench of Common Plea Judges in Schoharie County consisted of William Beckman, Adam P. Vrooman, John M. Brown, David Sternberg and Jonathan Danforth. — History of Schoharie County, p. 5, 606.

and spoke French and German quite fluently. She was also an accomplished musician and played well on the church organ when she was a grandmother.

From his mother General Sternberg inherited a quiet, unselfish, affectionate disposition which characterized him throughout his life. Certain of her physical features were also his — the dark hair, the shape of the brow, and the benevolent brown eyes. In physique and certain facial features he resembled his father. It has been asserted that "if you would give a boy a good education, you must begin with his grandfather." If this be true, General Sternberg received peculiar advantages in this respect. On his father's side he was descended from an enterprising, sturdy race, while on the distaff side, his grandfather and his great-grandfather were scholars of Moravian descent. His great-grandfather was a learned and devoted minister and teacher.

As a boy of 10 years, George Miller Sternberg was taken by his grandmother from Buffalo, N. Y., where his father was in charge of a Lutheran Church, to Hart wick Seminary. The climate had been too severe for the boy, and his grandmother wished to look carefully after his health. He remained for some years at Hartwick Seminary and became greatly attacheil to the family of his grandfather. When he was 12 years of age his father was called to be principal of the institution at Hartwick, and there the boy continued to pursue his studies. At 13 years he became restless and at his father's solicitation obtained a situation in the book store of Mr. Elihu Phinney at Cooperstown, N. Y., where he remained for about a year. According to his recollection, he devoted every leisure moment to reading fiction, books of exciting character giving him the greater pleasure. When he was approaching his fourteenth year he returned home at the request of his mother to resume his studies at the seminary. In the course of his education he was always fond of mathematics, chemistr}' and the natural sciences. When first he went to Hartwick he began the study of Latin and German, but he did not at that age develop the fondness for acquiring languages which in past generations had been the pride of the family.

A large and increasing family and the small income which is the clergyman's portion caused his father to think seriously at

1880 1904

George Miller Sternberg

EARLY LIFE 3

times of the financial situation. To George, the eldest son, the father had sometimes confided some embarrassing tribulations, and he began to feel the necessity of doing something toward relieving the situation. Accordingly, at 16 years of age, he took off his "round about coat," put on a frock coat and sought a school where he could teach during the winter months. He was fortunate enough to secure an engagement at $10 a month and "board," in a small and uncomfortable schoolhouse in the hills 12 miles away. He returned home every Saturday, but separation from his mother for protracted periods was a great trial and he determined to do better the following winter. Through the influence of friends in New Jersey, he secured a school at a salary of $20 a month, remaining for about two years, his salary being gradually increased until it amounted to $100 a quarter. Having saved his money, he returned to Hartwick to continue his studies, and to teach in the seminary the branches of his preference, namely, mathematics, chemistry, and natural philosophy. About this time, he decided to enter medicine and began the study of anatomy and physiology under the direction of an excellent preceptor. Dr. Horace Lathrop, A. M., M.D., Cooperstown, N. Y. Through the kind assistance of Mr. Grandin Bray, a generous uncle resident in California, he was able to attend his first course of lectures during the winter of 1859- 1860 at Buffalo. Later he went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, where his expenses were again met by his uncle. Although this money was not sent as a loan, it was later returned by Dr. Sternberg to show his appreciation and with the hope that it would be again used to assist some other ambitious youth. He received his M.D. degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the spring of 1860, and located at once in Elizabeth City, N. J., where he practiced medicine until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Chapter Two Civil War Record

At the call of his country, Dr. Sternberg appeared before an Army Examining Board in New York City and in a class of twenty-one he passed a very good examination and received appointment as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army, May 28, 1861. He accepted his commission May 31, 1861, and his first service was in the Army of the Potomac, with the command of Gen. George Sykes, from whom he received official commendation for courageous services during the battles of Gaines' Mill, Turkey Bridge, and Malvern Hill. At the Battle of Bull Run he was made a prisoner of war, as recounted in these extracts from his letters.

BATTLE OF BULL RUN

At half past two o'clock on Sunday morning, July 21, our division was aroused by the drum beating the call to "prepare to march." Soldiers and officers were soon moving about and breakfast was hurriedly eaten. Two days' rations were given to be carried in the haversacks. It was about daybreak when we got under way. After marching some distance beyond Centerville, our division under Colonel Hunter, which was in the rear, was marched in advance of the division which had previously been in advance of us. We then marched through the fields for some distance and afterward followed a road through the woods. When we came again into an open field, marching a short distance brought us to Bull Run above the place where the enemy had chosen their position. We heard the report of the cannon nearby, showing us that our troops in front were already fighting. We soon learned we were to be on the enemy's left flank. The men all took off their blankets at this place and left them in charge of the band and a small guard of men. We then forded the run and went at double quick time toward the field of action.

As we approached, we heard continuous volleys of musketry, showing that the engagement had become general. Chir battalion of Regulars was in the rear of the column. Just as they were coming on the field Dr. Keeny rode up to me and said that Colonel Hunter was wounded and directed me, my assistant hospital steward, attendants and ambulance to follow him to attend to Colonel Hunter. We found Colonel

CIVIL WAR RECORD 5

Hunter leaning against a tree with a wound in his neck which proved to be not serious. I saw that I could be of no use to him as there were plenty of surgeons around him. I therefore hastened with my attendants to find our regulars. We found the men just entering into action and some distance in advance of all others in our division. The enemy was driven before us for some distance and the number of their dead and wounded that we passed showed us that they had fought desperately. I kept as near our regiment as possible, picking up the wounded and putting on simple dressings and sending them in an ambulance to the surgeons in the rear. I attended to very many of the volunteers who were wounded, as well as to our own men, and as fast as possible sent them off the field in ambulances to a place in the woods where a number of senior surgeons had made their headquarters. Among others, I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Jones of an Alabama regiment, who was severely wounded in the thigh. At one time I got into the range of a battery and of musketry. The balls whisked about me in every direction. Thinking it useless to remain in such a dangerous position, I called my steward and attendants and we moved out of range of this battery.

The fight continued until 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when our troops began to give way and soon were in full retreat ; in fact they became panic stricken. The retreat was a complete rout. The men would make no attempt to rally and many of them threw away their muskets and cartridge boxes, ever}'thing in fact, each one seeming to think of nothing but personal safety. Our battalion covered the retreat on the right in good order. In the beginning of the fight, I had tied my horse near a farm house that we were using as a hospital, and when I found that the battle was evidently lost and the retreat general, I went for my horse — but he was gone. I followed the retreating army to a church, where I found 280 of our wounded without any attention. I at once resolved to remain with them and do what I could to relieve their sufferings. Some six or seven surgeons of volunteer regiments also remained. We put out a white flag at once and commenced doing all we could under the circumstances for the poor wounded. I performed several amputations, hoping to save life.

CAPTURE BY THE ENEMY

About three quarters of an hour after the last of our men had passed, a company of the enemy's cavalry arrived at the church. The captain asked us for our parole not to attempt to escape from the church, which we gave. It began raining in the morning and as there was not room for all of the wounded in the church, a great many were obliged to be out in the rain. The captain who first captured us had bivouacked near the church. I obtained a detail from him in the morning and started them to work to make a sheher. I had small trees cut down and a frame erected which was about 30 feet long and 20 feet wide. I covered this with blankets, and placed as many of the wounded as possible under it. On Monday evening, the captain told me he had received instructions to send us all to Manassas in charge of a lieutenant. Some of the surgeons went in ambulances, but I rode a horse that the captain furnished mc. It was still raining and very cold. We had not had anything to eat since Sunday morning, except a cup of corn meal gruel which one of the men had made at the church. I was so chilled and exhausted when I reached Manassas that I could scarcely sit on my horse. After our arrival we were kept waiting in the rain for about two hours l>efore it was decided what disposition to make of us. . . .

We were eventually taken to the guard-house where a number of other prisoners were confined. Luckily some of our men had brought blankets with them. I had none but one gentleman had three and he kindly loaned me one. Wc wrapped ourselves up in our blankets and lay down in a loft of the barn which was used as a guard-house. Xothwithstanding our clothes were wet through, we were all sound asleep in a very few minutes. In the morning, a piece of salt bacon was sent to us on a piece of board. Shortly after partaking uf this breakfast, a colonel came to us with a written parole in his hand which he said we might sign, and in case wc did so we would be at liberty to go when and where wc pleased. The parole was an agreement not to aid or abet the enemies of the Confederate States of America in any way whatever. Four or five of the surgeons took the parole but four of us refused to do so. Those who took it were at once sent back to the church to attend to the wounded we had been obliged to leave. Those of us who remained, earnestly requested that we might be allowed to attend to our wounded. A jxirole was therefore offered us which we gladly signed, not to attempt to escape or give any information for five days. Immediately after taking this we were allowed to go about the place at liberty.

We found a great many of our wounded lying in a shed near the railroad. Some of them had only just been brought in from the field, having lain all Sunday night, all day Monday through the rain, and Monday night. The poor fellows were in a most pitiable condition, many of their wounds were alive with infection of the worst type (maggots) and it seemed almost impossible to get the wounds clean. When we thought the infection was entirely removed we found on

CIVIL WAR RECORD 7

the next change of dressing the wound was badly infected again. A train of cars stood waiting and our instructions were to dress the wounds as well as possible and put the men on the cars which would take them to hospitals at Charlotte and Culpeper. We had the train loaded by night and were told it would leave in a short time. We therefore went back to the loft in the guard-house to sleep, as no other place had been provided. In the morning, to our regret and surprise we found the cars were not yet gone, and the poor fellows had been lying in them all night without any attention. For some reason the cars were delayed all of Wednesday and did not get off until \\'ednesday night. . . .

On Thursday we continued to give our attention to the wounded at Manassas until evening, when a Dr. Taylor and myself were sent to Centerville to attend to some wounded who had been left there. . . . Dr. Taylor and myself had frequently talked over the chances of escap)e. We found an old atlas in a Dr. Alexander's house from which I tore a small map of Virginia. From this I ascertained that Washington was about east of Centerville. I told the doctor that the best plan was to go north for about 1 5 miles and then east until we struck the Potomac. By doing so I thought we should evade pursuit, and leave the secession troops all to the south of us. My parole was up on Sunday at noon. On Sunday morning Dr. Taylor was taken back to Manassas. I think the intention must have been to take me to Manassas as my parole had expired and Dr. Taylor's parole would not expire for two days to come.

ESCAPE

I took dinner at one o'clock at Dr. Alexander's and went to the hospital and saw that all the wounded were comfortable, slipped half a dozen crackers into my pocket, lighted a cigar and was all ready for my start. Thinking that the sentinels at the hospital might suspect my intentions when they saw me going towards the woods, I asked them if they knew where any real red oak grew. Dr. Alexander having recommended a decoction of the bark as an application for .some of the wounds. The sentry said there was plenty of it in the woods about half a mile north of town. I then started in the direction of the woods, and as soon as I had reached it, I gave up that leisurely pace which I had taken so far for a more rapid gait. I came to a stream after walking about two miles, which I thought to be Bull Run. I took off my shoes and stockings and forded it ; then continued according to my plans to walk in a northerly direction until nearly sundown. Then the sun which had been my guide became suddenly hidden by clouds and soon it began to rain. I was in a thick wood of second growth pine trees which g^ew so close together that I could scarcely make my way between them. I kept traveling for about an hour in what I thought to be a northerly direction when I came to a small clearing in which stood an old house and a log cattle stable. I went into the stable until it ceased to rain. It cleared up just as the sun was going down behind the hills and I found when I caught a glimpse of the sun that I had gotten completely turned around while it was hidden by the clouds. I had been traveling on the back track. I therefore determined not to travel any more unless I should see the sun, moon or north star. After the rain, I skirted around the edge of the clearing to find whether the house was inhabited. Having become satisfied that it was not I went up to it and entered. There was nothing in it but a barrel and a door. I placed the door so that I might lie upon it, ate one of my crackers, smoked my last cigar, and threw myself down upon the door which I had placed upon an incline and I went quickly to sleep.

It seemed as if I had been asleep but a few moments when I heard my name called. I jumped suddenly up and said, "Well." There was of course no answer. I had been dreaming. On looking out of the window I found it was clear, and the moon had just risen. Accordingly I again took my line of march going as nearly in the right direction as I could. I found it extremely difficult at times to make my way through the thick underbrush by the dim light of the moon. I must have traveled until about 2 o'clock when it again became cloudy and I threw myself down upon the ground and fell asleep. When I woke up. the reddish tinge of the clouds in the east showed me that the day was breaking; I again traveled on east, eating blackberries with my crackers, as I went along, for my breakfast. I had avoided the open fields and houses all along but about noon seeing a man working alone in a field I went up to him to ascertain my whereabouts. He told me that by continuing about a mile and a half further east I would strike the Potomac River; that it was 12 ni' - to Washington by the road, and that there were a good n: .: \ South Carolina troops along the road. I was verj- cautious in crossing the road and fortunately got to the woods on the other side without being seen.

When I reached the river. I took off my clothes and rolled them up into a bundle intending to swim across with the bundle in one hand, as I had often crossed the Susquehanna in my fishing trips at home. But my clothes being wet. were so heavy that I did not dare to venture, and I put them on and proceeded down the river, intending to construct a raft on which to cross. I had collected several pieces of timber and was lookinjr for more when I discovered an old boat. 1

CIVIL WAR RECORD 9

unfastened it and getting into it let it float down with the current. This mode of travehng was so much pleasanter than walking through the woods, that I determined to continue it as far as possible. . . . My boat ride was stopped about five miles from Washington by a dam extending across the river which I could not get over. I accordingly landed on the Maryland side and proceeded on foot. The first house I came to belonged to a kind-hearted Irishman who gave me two large bowls of milk and a supply of good bread and butter, the best I think I ever ate. I learned from him that I was five miles from the city. Passing along a little farther I fell in with some soldiers of the 6th Maine Regiment. I inquired of them where I could hire a horse to take me to the city. After hearing my story they said if I would go with them to their camp, which was nearby, their colonel would send me in. . . .

When I arrived in camp I was aware that my appearance was anything but prepossessing. My clothing was torn and wet, and I was worn and weary. I was presented to the colonel. He promised to send me to the city in a short time. While I was talking with him, a soldier came into the tent and asked me if I was not the man he had in the guard-house the night before. I told him I was not, but he was very sure I was and called four men to prove it. They all declared that I was the very man — and I almost began to believe it myself. But one of the men happened to see me standing and concluded that I was at least a head shorter than my facsimile. The colonel seemed to forget his promise to send me to the city and after waiting for two hours it began to rain and I had to give up going until morning. One of the captains kindly offered me a bed in his tent and I remained with him over night. At five o'clock in the following morning I arose and walked to Washington. I had left my trunk before starting for the campaign at the house of Mrs. Boyle.

When I arrived there I hastened to refresh myself with a bath and some dry clothing. All my friends seemed rejoiced to see me. They had heard that while leaning over a wounded man on the field I had been struck by a cannon ball and killed. After a short delay I went at once to the house of General Scott to report. I was most kindly received by him and had a long conversation with him giving all the information on the situation that I could. I next reported to the Surgeon-General, after which I proceeded to join my regiment on Arlington Heights, where the regiment was in camp. I was most cordially received by all and you can well imagine my pleasure to be again with my fellow officers. In the afternoon, I reported to General McDowell with whom

I had a long interview. The following morning, our battalion was ordered to Washington to act as a police force for the city until the opening of the campaign in 1862.

The official records show that Dr. Sternberg was under heavy fire while caring for the wounded in the battle of Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill. Brig.-Gen. George Sykes in his reports of these battles, and the engagement at Turkey Bridge ^ says :

Dr. Sternberg added largely to the reputation already acquired on the disastrous field of Bull Run. He received the brevet-commission of Captain and Major for faithful and meritorious services during the war.