Father: Dr. Richard Fenner (1758-1828)
Mother: Ann McKinney Geddy (1770-1851)
- Studied at an academy in Raleigh, NC, under Rev. Dr. McPheeters
1823 - Moved with his family to Tennessee
1827 - Commenced the study of medicine under his elder brother, Dr. Robert Fenner
1828 - Father, Richard, died in Madison Co., TN
1829 - M.D. degree, Transylvania University Medical Department, Lexington, KY (thesis: "The Uterine Hemorrhage of Pregnancy")
1830 - Practiced medicine, Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1832 - Married, Ann America Collier (1813-1837), Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1833 - Moved to Clinton, Hinds Co., MS
09/25/1837 - Wife, Ann, died in Clinton, Hinds Co., MS. Her gravestone reads, in part, "Consort to Erasmus D. Fenner, M.D. . . .In the 24th year of her Age ! ! "Like the Dew on the Mountain, Like the Foam on the River, Like the Bubble on the Fountain, Thou art Gone - And Forever ! ! ! "
1840 - Moved with his son, Charles E. Fenner, to New Orleans, LA, and practiced medicine
1844 - With Dr. A. Hester, published the New Orleans Medical Journal
1849-1850 - Edited and published Volumes 1 and 2 of the Southern Medical Reports
09/04/1850 - Practiced medicine, The Third Representative District, Orleans Parish, LA (lived with Dr. J. S. Lowe and J. Brickell - indexed in the 1850 U.S. Census as E. D. Fenner)
1850 - Published a paper entitled, "Lead poisoning in New Orleans"
1851 - Mother, Ann, died in Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1854 - Published, "History of the Epidemic Yellow Fever, at New Orleans, La. in 1853"
1856 - Co-founder, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
1856 - Dean and Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- One of the editors of the New Orleans Medical News and Hospital Gazette
05/21/1859 - Obtained a U.S. Passport
~1860 - Served as a preceptor to his nephew, Dr. Darwin Ponton Fenner
05/01/1861 - Enlisted as a Pvt., Co. B, 1st Regiment Louisiana Volunteers [Note: This company subsequently became Capt. Green's Co., (Louisiana Guard Battery), New Orleans, LA.]
08/14/1861 - Discharged from Capt. Green's Co. (Louisiana Guard Battery)
11/08/1861 - In a letter to Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Confederate] Secretary of War, Richmond, Virginia, written from New Orleans, Louisiana, "Dear Sir, I beg leave to present you the following testimony in favor of Mr. Frank F. Jones, late of Baltimore, who seeks employment as Civil Engineer in the Confederate States service. He is son of Mr. Sam Jones Jr of this city, once a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, but for the last ten or twelve years a resident of New Orleans & a most estimable gentleman. Mr. Frank Jones
has sympathised with us from the beginning of this war & as just made his escape from Baltimore. He is an educated engineer. I have no doubt well qualified for service. Any kindness you may show him will be duly appreciated both by him & your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter states, "Recommends that F. F. Jones, late of Balt., be appointed to Engineer duty, C. S. A."]
05/00/1863 - While in New Orleans, LA, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and was driven from the city, going to Mobile, AL
1863-1865 - As a private physician, treated Confederate soldiers in Mobile, AL
07/31/1863 - In a letter written from Mobile, AL, to Surgeon D. Yandell, Medical Director, Gen. Johnston's Staff, "My Dear Sir, Mr. T. O. Sully & myself, on behalf of the "Louisiana Soldiers' Relief Association" an institution fully recognized by the War Department of our Government, have made an arrangement with the Catholic Sisters in charge of the Providence Infirmary of Mobile by which we are to have some sixty beds for the use of such sick and wounded Louisiana soldiers as require to be treated in bed. Through the Post Surgeon at this place, Dr. F. A. Ross, we can obtain the requisite medicines & Rations for our patients and all that we now require to put our Hospital into immediate operation is the attendance of a competent commissioned Surgeon. The bearer of this, Dr. A. Capdeville, Surgeon of the 14th Confederate Cavalry, Dismounted, would answer our purpose admirably and as the Colonel is willing to relieve Dr. Capdeville of field duties for one month & fifteen days, we beg of you to have him assigned to our Hospital at once. An order to report to Dr. Ross for Hospital duty will effect the purpose. We have only been able to yet to provide for very sick patients but intend to enlarge our accommodations as soon & as much as our means will permit. I expect to remain here for some time to look after the sick & wounded Louisianeans in this whole Department while Mr. Sully will go to Virginia for the same purpose. Hoping you will grant our request, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, Your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter - Medical Directors Office, Aug 2, "Upon the written application & consent, and the availability of the Surgn recommended, I repsy ask that the transfer be made for temporary duty to report to Med. Dir. Ross, Mobile, Ala., D. W. Yandell, Med. Dir." - Further docketing - "In consideration of the enclosed I consent to furlough Dr. A. Capdeville for forty five days but with the express understanding that at the expiration of the furlough he reports to me for duty as I cannot do without his services. F. Dumonteil, Col. Commanding, 14th Conf. Cavly."]
05/19/1865 - As Surgeon, Addison Harvey's Co., Forrest's Scouts, Confederate States Army, paroled by the U.S. Army, Grenada, MS
1865 - Suffering from diabetes, moved from Mobile, AL, to the home of a nephew in Canton, MS, for several months, and then returned to New Orleans
1865 - His last paper, penned for the Southern Journal of Medical Sciences, contained the following paragraph about diseases like yellow fever, and the need to adopt public sanitary measures in the South, "If our people would avail themselves of this knowledge, and carry out measures it inculcates, we have every reason to believe such diseases might be prevented, or eradicated where they exist. All efforts hitherto made to prevent their extension by means of quarantine and sanitary cordons have failed, and we have little reason to hope that they will ever succeed. For twenty years we, and some others, have labored to convince the people of New Orleans that the only way to make the city healthy, is to make and keep it clean. But we have labored in vain. In the mysterious course of events, the hand of the tyrant has been brought to our aid, and the results are marvelous. Will our citizens profit by this experience, and continue to enforce their own health ordinances, as the Federal military authorities enforced them? If they do not the consequences will surely be deplorable."
11/00/1865 - Regained possession of the New Orleans School of Medicine (then occupied as a negro school) and re-opened it with a new medical school class of 84 students
05/04/1866 - Died at his residence with "cerebral symptoms" and loss of the ability to speak, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA (buried: Lafayette Cemetery #1, New Orleans, LA)
Note: The New Orleans School of Medicine permanently closed its doors in 1870. Some attribute this, in part, to the loss of Dean Erasmus Darwin Fenner.
This biographical sketch is from:
Hambrecht, F.T. & Koste, J.L., Biographical
register of physicians who served the
Confederacy in a medical capacity.
09/17/2017. Unpublished database.
Mother: Ann McKinney Geddy (1770-1851)
- Studied at an academy in Raleigh, NC, under Rev. Dr. McPheeters
1823 - Moved with his family to Tennessee
1827 - Commenced the study of medicine under his elder brother, Dr. Robert Fenner
1828 - Father, Richard, died in Madison Co., TN
1829 - M.D. degree, Transylvania University Medical Department, Lexington, KY (thesis: "The Uterine Hemorrhage of Pregnancy")
1830 - Practiced medicine, Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1832 - Married, Ann America Collier (1813-1837), Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1833 - Moved to Clinton, Hinds Co., MS
09/25/1837 - Wife, Ann, died in Clinton, Hinds Co., MS. Her gravestone reads, in part, "Consort to Erasmus D. Fenner, M.D. . . .In the 24th year of her Age ! ! "Like the Dew on the Mountain, Like the Foam on the River, Like the Bubble on the Fountain, Thou art Gone - And Forever ! ! ! "
1840 - Moved with his son, Charles E. Fenner, to New Orleans, LA, and practiced medicine
1844 - With Dr. A. Hester, published the New Orleans Medical Journal
1849-1850 - Edited and published Volumes 1 and 2 of the Southern Medical Reports
09/04/1850 - Practiced medicine, The Third Representative District, Orleans Parish, LA (lived with Dr. J. S. Lowe and J. Brickell - indexed in the 1850 U.S. Census as E. D. Fenner)
1850 - Published a paper entitled, "Lead poisoning in New Orleans"
1851 - Mother, Ann, died in Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1854 - Published, "History of the Epidemic Yellow Fever, at New Orleans, La. in 1853"
1856 - Co-founder, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
1856 - Dean and Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- One of the editors of the New Orleans Medical News and Hospital Gazette
05/21/1859 - Obtained a U.S. Passport
~1860 - Served as a preceptor to his nephew, Dr. Darwin Ponton Fenner
05/01/1861 - Enlisted as a Pvt., Co. B, 1st Regiment Louisiana Volunteers [Note: This company subsequently became Capt. Green's Co., (Louisiana Guard Battery), New Orleans, LA.]
08/14/1861 - Discharged from Capt. Green's Co. (Louisiana Guard Battery)
11/08/1861 - In a letter to Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Confederate] Secretary of War, Richmond, Virginia, written from New Orleans, Louisiana, "Dear Sir, I beg leave to present you the following testimony in favor of Mr. Frank F. Jones, late of Baltimore, who seeks employment as Civil Engineer in the Confederate States service. He is son of Mr. Sam Jones Jr of this city, once a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, but for the last ten or twelve years a resident of New Orleans & a most estimable gentleman. Mr. Frank Jones
has sympathised with us from the beginning of this war & as just made his escape from Baltimore. He is an educated engineer. I have no doubt well qualified for service. Any kindness you may show him will be duly appreciated both by him & your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter states, "Recommends that F. F. Jones, late of Balt., be appointed to Engineer duty, C. S. A."]
05/00/1863 - While in New Orleans, LA, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and was driven from the city, going to Mobile, AL
1863-1865 - As a private physician, treated Confederate soldiers in Mobile, AL
07/31/1863 - In a letter written from Mobile, AL, to Surgeon D. Yandell, Medical Director, Gen. Johnston's Staff, "My Dear Sir, Mr. T. O. Sully & myself, on behalf of the "Louisiana Soldiers' Relief Association" an institution fully recognized by the War Department of our Government, have made an arrangement with the Catholic Sisters in charge of the Providence Infirmary of Mobile by which we are to have some sixty beds for the use of such sick and wounded Louisiana soldiers as require to be treated in bed. Through the Post Surgeon at this place, Dr. F. A. Ross, we can obtain the requisite medicines & Rations for our patients and all that we now require to put our Hospital into immediate operation is the attendance of a competent commissioned Surgeon. The bearer of this, Dr. A. Capdeville, Surgeon of the 14th Confederate Cavalry, Dismounted, would answer our purpose admirably and as the Colonel is willing to relieve Dr. Capdeville of field duties for one month & fifteen days, we beg of you to have him assigned to our Hospital at once. An order to report to Dr. Ross for Hospital duty will effect the purpose. We have only been able to yet to provide for very sick patients but intend to enlarge our accommodations as soon & as much as our means will permit. I expect to remain here for some time to look after the sick & wounded Louisianeans in this whole Department while Mr. Sully will go to Virginia for the same purpose. Hoping you will grant our request, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, Your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter - Medical Directors Office, Aug 2, "Upon the written application & consent, and the availability of the Surgn recommended, I repsy ask that the transfer be made for temporary duty to report to Med. Dir. Ross, Mobile, Ala., D. W. Yandell, Med. Dir." - Further docketing - "In consideration of the enclosed I consent to furlough Dr. A. Capdeville for forty five days but with the express understanding that at the expiration of the furlough he reports to me for duty as I cannot do without his services. F. Dumonteil, Col. Commanding, 14th Conf. Cavly."]
05/19/1865 - As Surgeon, Addison Harvey's Co., Forrest's Scouts, Confederate States Army, paroled by the U.S. Army, Grenada, MS
1865 - Suffering from diabetes, moved from Mobile, AL, to the home of a nephew in Canton, MS, for several months, and then returned to New Orleans
1865 - His last paper, penned for the Southern Journal of Medical Sciences, contained the following paragraph about diseases like yellow fever, and the need to adopt public sanitary measures in the South, "If our people would avail themselves of this knowledge, and carry out measures it inculcates, we have every reason to believe such diseases might be prevented, or eradicated where they exist. All efforts hitherto made to prevent their extension by means of quarantine and sanitary cordons have failed, and we have little reason to hope that they will ever succeed. For twenty years we, and some others, have labored to convince the people of New Orleans that the only way to make the city healthy, is to make and keep it clean. But we have labored in vain. In the mysterious course of events, the hand of the tyrant has been brought to our aid, and the results are marvelous. Will our citizens profit by this experience, and continue to enforce their own health ordinances, as the Federal military authorities enforced them? If they do not the consequences will surely be deplorable."
11/00/1865 - Regained possession of the New Orleans School of Medicine (then occupied as a negro school) and re-opened it with a new medical school class of 84 students
05/04/1866 - Died at his residence with "cerebral symptoms" and loss of the ability to speak, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA (buried: Lafayette Cemetery #1, New Orleans, LA)
Note: The New Orleans School of Medicine permanently closed its doors in 1870. Some attribute this, in part, to the loss of Dean Erasmus Darwin Fenner.
This biographical sketch is from:
Hambrecht, F.T. & Koste, J.L., Biographical
register of physicians who served the
Confederacy in a medical capacity.
09/17/2017. Unpublished database.
Father: Dr. Richard Fenner (1758-1828)
Mother: Ann McKinney Geddy (1770-1851)
- Studied at an academy in Raleigh, NC, under Rev. Dr. McPheeters
1823 - Moved with his family to Tennessee
1827 - Commenced the study of medicine under his elder brother, Dr. Robert Fenner
1828 - Father, Richard, died in Madison Co., TN
1829 - M.D. degree, Transylvania University Medical Department, Lexington, KY (thesis: "The Uterine Hemorrhage of Pregnancy")
1830 - Practiced medicine, Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1832 - Married, Ann America Collier (1813-1837), Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1833 - Moved to Clinton, Hinds Co., MS
09/25/1837 - Wife, Ann, died in Clinton, Hinds Co., MS. Her gravestone reads, in part, "Consort to Erasmus D. Fenner, M.D. . . .In the 24th year of her Age ! ! "Like the Dew on the Mountain, Like the Foam on the River, Like the Bubble on the Fountain, Thou art Gone - And Forever ! ! ! "
1840 - Moved with his son, Charles E. Fenner, to New Orleans, LA, and practiced medicine
1844 - With Dr. A. Hester, published the New Orleans Medical Journal
1849-1850 - Edited and published Volumes 1 and 2 of the Southern Medical Reports
09/04/1850 - Practiced medicine, The Third Representative District, Orleans Parish, LA (lived with Dr. J. S. Lowe and J. Brickell - indexed in the 1850 U.S. Census as E. D. Fenner)
1850 - Published a paper entitled, "Lead poisoning in New Orleans"
1851 - Mother, Ann, died in Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1854 - Published, "History of the Epidemic Yellow Fever, at New Orleans, La. in 1853"
1856 - Co-founder, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
1856 - Dean and Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- One of the editors of the New Orleans Medical News and Hospital Gazette
05/21/1859 - Obtained a U.S. Passport
~1860 - Served as a preceptor to his nephew, Dr. Darwin Ponton Fenner
05/01/1861 - Enlisted as a Pvt., Co. B, 1st Regiment Louisiana Volunteers [Note: This company subsequently became Capt. Green's Co., (Louisiana Guard Battery), New Orleans, LA.]
08/14/1861 - Discharged from Capt. Green's Co. (Louisiana Guard Battery)
11/08/1861 - In a letter to Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Confederate] Secretary of War, Richmond, Virginia, written from New Orleans, Louisiana, "Dear Sir, I beg leave to present you the following testimony in favor of Mr. Frank F. Jones, late of Baltimore, who seeks employment as Civil Engineer in the Confederate States service. He is son of Mr. Sam Jones Jr of this city, once a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, but for the last ten or twelve years a resident of New Orleans & a most estimable gentleman. Mr. Frank Jones
has sympathised with us from the beginning of this war & as just made his escape from Baltimore. He is an educated engineer. I have no doubt well qualified for service. Any kindness you may show him will be duly appreciated both by him & your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter states, "Recommends that F. F. Jones, late of Balt., be appointed to Engineer duty, C. S. A."]
05/00/1863 - While in New Orleans, LA, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and was driven from the city, going to Mobile, AL
1863-1865 - As a private physician, treated Confederate soldiers in Mobile, AL
07/31/1863 - In a letter written from Mobile, AL, to Surgeon D. Yandell, Medical Director, Gen. Johnston's Staff, "My Dear Sir, Mr. T. O. Sully & myself, on behalf of the "Louisiana Soldiers' Relief Association" an institution fully recognized by the War Department of our Government, have made an arrangement with the Catholic Sisters in charge of the Providence Infirmary of Mobile by which we are to have some sixty beds for the use of such sick and wounded Louisiana soldiers as require to be treated in bed. Through the Post Surgeon at this place, Dr. F. A. Ross, we can obtain the requisite medicines & Rations for our patients and all that we now require to put our Hospital into immediate operation is the attendance of a competent commissioned Surgeon. The bearer of this, Dr. A. Capdeville, Surgeon of the 14th Confederate Cavalry, Dismounted, would answer our purpose admirably and as the Colonel is willing to relieve Dr. Capdeville of field duties for one month & fifteen days, we beg of you to have him assigned to our Hospital at once. An order to report to Dr. Ross for Hospital duty will effect the purpose. We have only been able to yet to provide for very sick patients but intend to enlarge our accommodations as soon & as much as our means will permit. I expect to remain here for some time to look after the sick & wounded Louisianeans in this whole Department while Mr. Sully will go to Virginia for the same purpose. Hoping you will grant our request, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, Your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter - Medical Directors Office, Aug 2, "Upon the written application & consent, and the availability of the Surgn recommended, I repsy ask that the transfer be made for temporary duty to report to Med. Dir. Ross, Mobile, Ala., D. W. Yandell, Med. Dir." - Further docketing - "In consideration of the enclosed I consent to furlough Dr. A. Capdeville for forty five days but with the express understanding that at the expiration of the furlough he reports to me for duty as I cannot do without his services. F. Dumonteil, Col. Commanding, 14th Conf. Cavly."]
05/19/1865 - As Surgeon, Addison Harvey's Co., Forrest's Scouts, Confederate States Army, paroled by the U.S. Army, Grenada, MS
1865 - Suffering from diabetes, moved from Mobile, AL, to the home of a nephew in Canton, MS, for several months, and then returned to New Orleans
1865 - His last paper, penned for the Southern Journal of Medical Sciences, contained the following paragraph about diseases like yellow fever, and the need to adopt public sanitary measures in the South, "If our people would avail themselves of this knowledge, and carry out measures it inculcates, we have every reason to believe such diseases might be prevented, or eradicated where they exist. All efforts hitherto made to prevent their extension by means of quarantine and sanitary cordons have failed, and we have little reason to hope that they will ever succeed. For twenty years we, and some others, have labored to convince the people of New Orleans that the only way to make the city healthy, is to make and keep it clean. But we have labored in vain. In the mysterious course of events, the hand of the tyrant has been brought to our aid, and the results are marvelous. Will our citizens profit by this experience, and continue to enforce their own health ordinances, as the Federal military authorities enforced them? If they do not the consequences will surely be deplorable."
11/00/1865 - Regained possession of the New Orleans School of Medicine (then occupied as a negro school) and re-opened it with a new medical school class of 84 students
05/04/1866 - Died at his residence with "cerebral symptoms" and loss of the ability to speak, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA (buried: Lafayette Cemetery #1, New Orleans, LA)
Note: The New Orleans School of Medicine permanently closed its doors in 1870. Some attribute this, in part, to the loss of Dean Erasmus Darwin Fenner.
This biographical sketch is from:
Hambrecht, F.T. & Koste, J.L., Biographical
register of physicians who served the
Confederacy in a medical capacity.
09/17/2017. Unpublished database.
Mother: Ann McKinney Geddy (1770-1851)
- Studied at an academy in Raleigh, NC, under Rev. Dr. McPheeters
1823 - Moved with his family to Tennessee
1827 - Commenced the study of medicine under his elder brother, Dr. Robert Fenner
1828 - Father, Richard, died in Madison Co., TN
1829 - M.D. degree, Transylvania University Medical Department, Lexington, KY (thesis: "The Uterine Hemorrhage of Pregnancy")
1830 - Practiced medicine, Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1832 - Married, Ann America Collier (1813-1837), Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1833 - Moved to Clinton, Hinds Co., MS
09/25/1837 - Wife, Ann, died in Clinton, Hinds Co., MS. Her gravestone reads, in part, "Consort to Erasmus D. Fenner, M.D. . . .In the 24th year of her Age ! ! "Like the Dew on the Mountain, Like the Foam on the River, Like the Bubble on the Fountain, Thou art Gone - And Forever ! ! ! "
1840 - Moved with his son, Charles E. Fenner, to New Orleans, LA, and practiced medicine
1844 - With Dr. A. Hester, published the New Orleans Medical Journal
1849-1850 - Edited and published Volumes 1 and 2 of the Southern Medical Reports
09/04/1850 - Practiced medicine, The Third Representative District, Orleans Parish, LA (lived with Dr. J. S. Lowe and J. Brickell - indexed in the 1850 U.S. Census as E. D. Fenner)
1850 - Published a paper entitled, "Lead poisoning in New Orleans"
1851 - Mother, Ann, died in Jackson, Madison Co., TN
1854 - Published, "History of the Epidemic Yellow Fever, at New Orleans, La. in 1853"
1856 - Co-founder, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
1856 - Dean and Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- One of the editors of the New Orleans Medical News and Hospital Gazette
05/21/1859 - Obtained a U.S. Passport
~1860 - Served as a preceptor to his nephew, Dr. Darwin Ponton Fenner
05/01/1861 - Enlisted as a Pvt., Co. B, 1st Regiment Louisiana Volunteers [Note: This company subsequently became Capt. Green's Co., (Louisiana Guard Battery), New Orleans, LA.]
08/14/1861 - Discharged from Capt. Green's Co. (Louisiana Guard Battery)
11/08/1861 - In a letter to Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Confederate] Secretary of War, Richmond, Virginia, written from New Orleans, Louisiana, "Dear Sir, I beg leave to present you the following testimony in favor of Mr. Frank F. Jones, late of Baltimore, who seeks employment as Civil Engineer in the Confederate States service. He is son of Mr. Sam Jones Jr of this city, once a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, but for the last ten or twelve years a resident of New Orleans & a most estimable gentleman. Mr. Frank Jones
has sympathised with us from the beginning of this war & as just made his escape from Baltimore. He is an educated engineer. I have no doubt well qualified for service. Any kindness you may show him will be duly appreciated both by him & your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter states, "Recommends that F. F. Jones, late of Balt., be appointed to Engineer duty, C. S. A."]
05/00/1863 - While in New Orleans, LA, refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and was driven from the city, going to Mobile, AL
1863-1865 - As a private physician, treated Confederate soldiers in Mobile, AL
07/31/1863 - In a letter written from Mobile, AL, to Surgeon D. Yandell, Medical Director, Gen. Johnston's Staff, "My Dear Sir, Mr. T. O. Sully & myself, on behalf of the "Louisiana Soldiers' Relief Association" an institution fully recognized by the War Department of our Government, have made an arrangement with the Catholic Sisters in charge of the Providence Infirmary of Mobile by which we are to have some sixty beds for the use of such sick and wounded Louisiana soldiers as require to be treated in bed. Through the Post Surgeon at this place, Dr. F. A. Ross, we can obtain the requisite medicines & Rations for our patients and all that we now require to put our Hospital into immediate operation is the attendance of a competent commissioned Surgeon. The bearer of this, Dr. A. Capdeville, Surgeon of the 14th Confederate Cavalry, Dismounted, would answer our purpose admirably and as the Colonel is willing to relieve Dr. Capdeville of field duties for one month & fifteen days, we beg of you to have him assigned to our Hospital at once. An order to report to Dr. Ross for Hospital duty will effect the purpose. We have only been able to yet to provide for very sick patients but intend to enlarge our accommodations as soon & as much as our means will permit. I expect to remain here for some time to look after the sick & wounded Louisianeans in this whole Department while Mr. Sully will go to Virginia for the same purpose. Hoping you will grant our request, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, Your friend & obdt servt. E. D. Fenner" [Docketing on the back of this letter - Medical Directors Office, Aug 2, "Upon the written application & consent, and the availability of the Surgn recommended, I repsy ask that the transfer be made for temporary duty to report to Med. Dir. Ross, Mobile, Ala., D. W. Yandell, Med. Dir." - Further docketing - "In consideration of the enclosed I consent to furlough Dr. A. Capdeville for forty five days but with the express understanding that at the expiration of the furlough he reports to me for duty as I cannot do without his services. F. Dumonteil, Col. Commanding, 14th Conf. Cavly."]
05/19/1865 - As Surgeon, Addison Harvey's Co., Forrest's Scouts, Confederate States Army, paroled by the U.S. Army, Grenada, MS
1865 - Suffering from diabetes, moved from Mobile, AL, to the home of a nephew in Canton, MS, for several months, and then returned to New Orleans
1865 - His last paper, penned for the Southern Journal of Medical Sciences, contained the following paragraph about diseases like yellow fever, and the need to adopt public sanitary measures in the South, "If our people would avail themselves of this knowledge, and carry out measures it inculcates, we have every reason to believe such diseases might be prevented, or eradicated where they exist. All efforts hitherto made to prevent their extension by means of quarantine and sanitary cordons have failed, and we have little reason to hope that they will ever succeed. For twenty years we, and some others, have labored to convince the people of New Orleans that the only way to make the city healthy, is to make and keep it clean. But we have labored in vain. In the mysterious course of events, the hand of the tyrant has been brought to our aid, and the results are marvelous. Will our citizens profit by this experience, and continue to enforce their own health ordinances, as the Federal military authorities enforced them? If they do not the consequences will surely be deplorable."
11/00/1865 - Regained possession of the New Orleans School of Medicine (then occupied as a negro school) and re-opened it with a new medical school class of 84 students
05/04/1866 - Died at his residence with "cerebral symptoms" and loss of the ability to speak, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA (buried: Lafayette Cemetery #1, New Orleans, LA)
Note: The New Orleans School of Medicine permanently closed its doors in 1870. Some attribute this, in part, to the loss of Dean Erasmus Darwin Fenner.
This biographical sketch is from:
Hambrecht, F.T. & Koste, J.L., Biographical
register of physicians who served the
Confederacy in a medical capacity.
09/17/2017. Unpublished database.
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