Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy

A young physician’s voice guides listeners through the turbulent spring of 1864, when he trades the quiet of his Pennsylvania home for the bustling decks of Union steamers. From his first days aboard a riverine vessel in the Delaware to the cramped quarters of a war‑time hospital ship, he describes the routines, the camaraderie, and the stark realities of treating wounded sailors amid the roar of cannon fire. His candid reflections capture both the awe of new technology—ironclads and steam power—and the sobering weight of responsibility that comes with every cut and fever.

As the conflict intensifies, he recounts daring river patrols, sudden attacks, and the precarious navigation of treacherous waterways like the Dismal Swamp Canal. Through vivid anecdotes about fellow officers, improvised surgeries, and moments of quiet resignation, the narrative reveals the human side of naval warfare. Listeners will come away with a nuanced portrait of a surgeon’s life on the water, where duty, danger, and fleeting glimpses of home intertwine.