John Call Dalton, M.D., U.S.V.

A vivid, first‑person account of a young Union surgeon thrust into the turmoil of the Civil War, this memoir opens with the shock of Fort Sumter’s fall and the rush to enlist. The narrator recounts his hurried appointment with the Seventh New York Regiment, the chaotic march through bustling city streets, and the astonishing sea of civilians cheering the troops as they head for Washington.

Beyond the clamor of drums and the rush of uniforms, the narrative captures the raw emotions of a nation on the brink of conflict. Readers will feel the palpable mix of fear, patriotism, and hope that surged through the streets of New York and the camps of the early army. The early chapters provide a window into the daily life of a medical officer learning his trade amid the urgency of war, offering both historical texture and the personal resolve of a man answering his country’s call.