
In honor of Black History Month: Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta, first Black surgeon in Civil War
Fox News
Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta faced many challenges being the first black surgeon commissioned in the Union Army during the Civil War
"Some of the white surgeons that reported to Augusta wrote to President Lincoln informing him of their displeasure at having to report to Augusta. They requested ‘most respectfully yet earnestly’ that this ‘unexpected, unusual and most unpleasant relationship in which we have been placed’ come to an end." Their letter also stated:
"'But we cannot ... willingly compromise what we consider ... proper self-respect, nor do we deem that the interests of either the country or of the colored race can demand this of us.’ Dr. Augusta was transferred out of Camp Stanton," Dr. Butts wrote in a statement to Fox News.
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