Father: Dr. James Guild, Sr. (1799-1884);
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Williams (1803-1885)]
1845 - A.B., & A. M. degrees, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
1845-1847 - "Read medicine" with his father, Dr. James Guild, Sr.
1847-1848 - Attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA
1848 - M.D. degree, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA (from:
Tuscaloosa, AL; thesis: "Healing of Wounds")
08/22/1848 - Practiced medicine with his father, James, in Tuscaloosa, AL
03/02/1849 - Appointed Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army, from AL, and reported for duty in New Orleans, LA
10/00/1849-05/00/1850 - Asst. Surgeon, Fort Chokonikla, Pias Creek, FL [Note: In July, 1850, Fort Chokonikla was abandoned due to sickness among troops and never reoccupied.]
03/17/1851 - Assigned as Asst. Surgeon, Fort Lincoln, Medina Co., TX
04/20/1851-07/06/1851 While stationed at Fort Lincoln, scouted with Co. G, 2nd U.S. Dragoons on the Indian frontier
11/30/1851 - As Asst. Surgeon, served as Post Commander, Fort Lincoln, Medina Co, TX
08/18/1852 - Transferred to Fort Mason, TX [Note: The location of Fort Mason was in present day Mason Co., TX.]
11/01/1852 - Granted a leave of absence from his post
12/15/1852 - Married, Martha Aylette "Pattie" Fitts (1831-1902), Mobile, AL
03/19/1853 - Ordered to proceed to New Orleans Barracks, New Orleans, LA
05/12/1853 - Transferred from New Orleans Barracks
08/15/1853 - Asst. Surgeon in charge of the Hospital Dept. of Fort Mason, TX
09/00/1854-01/00/1855 - Stationed at Fort Davis, TX, serving a hospital which "consisted of a tent and a small wooden shed"
00/00/1856 - As Asst. Surgeon, served as the Medical Director, Army Post, Governor's Island, NY
08/09/1857 - Transferred to Fort Humbolt, CA [Note: While at Fort Humbolt, Lafayette Guild and his wife, Pattie, adopted two young American Indian children]
07/14/1860 - Physician, U.S. Army, Fort Humbolt, Bucksport Township, Humbolt Co., CA (lived with wife, Martha, a servant, Maria Mitchell, and two children - Joe, age 8, and Ravina, age 1; indexed in the 1860 U. S. Census as Lafayette Guild)
00/00/1860 - As an Asst. Surgeon, U. S. Army, published a report for the U. S. Government in which he reported his observations that yellow fever "was not communicated by simple contact with one suffering with the disease or with the effluvia arising from either his body or his clothing. He observed that the disease spread some distance from the ships in quarantine and attributed the spread to the wind" [Sources: 1.) Guild, Lafayette. (1860) Report of Yellow Fever at Fort Columbus, New York, in: Statistical Report on the Sickness and Mortality in the Army of the U. S. from 1855-1860. Washington Printing Office, pp. 13-23;. 2.) Carmichael, E. B. (1971) Yellow Fever vs. the American Team. Journal of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, vol. 41, pp. 100.]
03/13/1861 - In a letter written from Montgomery, Alabama, by Mr. Stephen Fowler Hale, to Confederate States Secretary of War, Leroy Pope Walker, "Sir, I am informed by the relations and friends of Dr. Lafayette Guild of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, an Assistant Surgeon in the Army of the U. S, and who I learn has passed his examination for Surgeon and is now on duty at Humbolt, California, has apprised his intention to his family here to resign his present position so soon as he could learn that Alabama had seceded. I therefore beg that in making your appointments you will reserve a position for him as he will doubtless be here soon. As I am informed he has been twelve or fourteen years in active service on the frontier. Your obdt Svt &c, S. F. Hale." [Note: Stephen F. Hale (1816-1862) was a southern politician who served as a Deputy form Alabama to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, 1861-1862.]
05/09/1861 - Left Fort Humbolt, CA
07/01/1861 - Dismissed from the U. S. Army "for refusing to renew his oath of allegiance" to the United States of America
07/19/1861 - Appointed Surgeon, Regular Army of the Confederate States, to rank
from 03/16/1861 [Note: If the Confederate States had been able to gain independence from the United States, Dr. Guild would have been allowed to remain in the Confederate Army at the end of the American Civil War by virtue of having been appointed to the Regular Army of the Confederate States rather than the Provisional Army.]
08/07/1861 - "Surgeon L. F. Guild, Medical Department, having been appointed 'Inspector of Hospitals', the Chiefs of the different Staff Departments will afford him every possible facility in the discharge of his duties: when any immediate change of arrangements with regard to the sick become necessary, the suggestions of Surg. Guild will be carried out without reference to these Head Quarters." [S.O. 117/4]
10/09/1861 - "Surgeon L. F. Guild, Confederate States Army, and Surgeon J. P. Logan, and J. J. Chisholm [sic - Chisolm] Provisional Army are constituted a Board to make weekly visits to the Hospitals in this city [Richmond, VA]. They will examine the sick and convalescent, and make recommendations as to their removal from the Hospitals by furloughs, discharges, or return to duty" [S.O. 175/2]
12/09/1861 - "Surgeon Lafayette Guild, C. S. Army, is relieved from duty on the Board for examining invalids in this City [Richmond, Virginia], and will proceed with as little delay as practicable, to inspect the Hospitals and Camps of the commands of Generals Lee and Bragg, and the Hospitals and Camps of Instruction contiguous thereto. He will make to the Surgeon Generals Office a full report on every point connected with the Medical Department."[S.O. 261/17]
12/12/1861- 01/3/1862 - Travelled from Richmond, Virginia, to Montgomery, Alabama, to Mobile, AL, on official duty
12/13/1861 - Confirmed as Surgeon from AL by the Confederate States Senate
01/03/1862- 02/05/1862 - On official duty, travelled from Mobile, Alabama, to Pensacola, Florida, back to Mobile, Alabama, to Savanah, Georgia, to Brunswick, Georgia, back to Savannah, Georgia, to Charleston, South Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia
02/24/1862 - "Surgeon L. Guild is detailed to examine officers applying for sick leave in this city [Richmond, VA]." (S.O. 44/7)
04/19/1862 - As Surgeon, Richmond, VA, received 20 Hospital Tents from a Confederate Army Quartermaster
06/10/1862 - "Surgeon H. F. Campbell is relieved from duty on the Army Medical Board,
and Surgeon L. F. Guild is assigned to duty on said Board in his place." [S.O. 133/16]
06/12/1862 - "Paragraph XVI Special Orders No. 133, current series, is hereby revoked,
and Surgeons L. Guild, and H. F. Campbell, are both assigned to duty on the Army Medical Board." [S.O. 135/17]
06/27/1862 - "Surgeon Lafayette Guild is relieved from his present duty, and will report
to General R. E. Lee, Commanding, as Medical Director of his Command, relieving Surgeon D. C. DeLeon, heretofore Medical Director of the same" [148/2]
07/03/1862 - In a letter written from the Battlefield, Crew's Farm, VA, to Maj. R. G. Cole,
Confederate Army Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, "Major, I am instructed by General Lee to give you such information as will enable you to issue the special supplies requisite for the Federal sick and wounded within our lines. There are 400 at Mrs. Watts' house, near Gaines Mill. These are entirely unprovided for and will need a full supply. This place is most accessible from some point on the York River Railroad, at or near Savage Depot, being distant therefrom about three miles. About 3,000 are at Savage Depot, on the York River Railroad. These were provided to some extent with hard bread, prepared vegetables, coffee, etc., but are without meat of any kind. There are 500 in the vicinity of the battle-field of Monday, June 30, 1862, immediately on the Charles City road. These are entirely without subsistence. One thousand more will be found just beyond the battle-field of Tuesday evening, July 1, at Pitts' house, and at another house near by. I would respectfully suggest that an intelligent agent be sent with each supply that there will be no mistake in the distribution. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild, Surg. C. S. Army. Medical Director, Dept. of Northern Virginia [O.R. - ser. II, vol. IV, p. 798]
07/05/1862 - In a letter written from a camp near Malvern Hill Battlefield to Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, I have heard from various sources that you have sent various communications to me. Not one has reached its destination. I have only seen orders for medical officers to report for duty in the field. I was delayed here in consequence of the great difficulty in removing our wounded to Richmond. When their removal was nearly accomplished General Lee ordered that I should give assistance to the Federal medical officers in concentrating their sick and wounded at some central point, where surgical aid could be more efficiently rendered and where provisions and other necessaries could be issued. I selected Savage Station, on the York Railroad, as the point for concentration. Of course there are many Federal wounded that cannot be moved yet, and as you are aware our transportation is very deficient. In all there must be nearly 30 Federal medical officers within our lines, and of course have required little or no surgical aid from us. They have, however, asked for food, and having been accustomed to such luxuries as coffee, tea, arrowroot, sago, jellies, &c. were disappointed in getting nothing but flour or hard bread and bacon. The commissary has sent subsistence to different points designated for the purpose of distribution. Every variety of medical and hospital supplies, in very limited quantities, and a few imperfect sets of amputating instruments are in the possession of Surgeon Johnson, medical purveyor, which he retains for the use of the field infirmaries, and have been of immense value to us. Having been assigned suddenly and unexpectedly to the onerous and responsible duties of medical director of this large army, without instruction of any kind and without knowledge of the previous orders and assignments of medical officers of an army already engaged in action, my own position, of course, has been embarrassing.. . . . . I would respectfully request that the medical purveyor be instructed to forward, with as little delay as possible, the supplies required by Medical Purveyor [James T.] Johnson, particularly such articles as opium, morphia, and chloroform, which will be indispensably necessary in the event of another battle. I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild, Surgeon, C. S. Army, Medical
Director, Department of Northern Virginia."
07/09/1862 - In a letter written to Confederate Secretary of War G. W. Randolph,
Richmond, VA, by Gen. R. E. Lee, Headquarters, Army of Northern Virginia, "General, I am unwilling to communicate with the enemy through the lines about Westover. The best mode of communication will be by a small boat which would cross the obstructions in James River and meet a gun-boat under a flag of truce or go even as far as Westover. Major Allen, of Claremont, has such a boat. I authorized Doctors [L.] Guild and [J.S.D.] Cullen to communicate with McClellan yesterday from Shirley and to restore to him the wounded lying there on parole, but I have not yet heard whether they were able to do so. The delivery of the enemy's wounded into his hands will be difficult for us to accomplish, though it would be far better for them to be under the care of their own physicians and friends. If the boat can be obtained please let me know as I have some other communications which I wish to make to General McClellan under flag of truce. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. Lee" [O.R. - ser. I, vol. IV p. 807.]
07/12/1862 - In a letter written to Medical Director L. Guild by Confederate Asst.
Adjutant General R. H. Chilton, "Sir, General Lee desires me to inform you that having received a letter to-day from General McClellan expressing his willingness to receive the wounded prisoners he has referred the letter to Doctor [J.S.D.] Cullen and directed him to make all necessary arrangements for the transfer, and he desires that you will give Doctor Cullen all the assistance you can in this matter. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. H. Chilton" [O.R. - ser. II, vol. IV, p. 812.]
08/09/1862 - Submitted a report of the killed and wounded during the Battle of Cedar Run [Virginia]
08/16/1862 - In a report to Surgeon General S. P. Moore concerning the conflicts around Richmond, Virginia, form June 26, 1862 until July 1, 1862, "Sir, . . .The number of medical officers in the present regimental organization is wholly inadequate to the exigencies of the service. One surgeon and one assistant surgeon are insufficient either
in time of peace or war. In active service every regiment should always have at least one surgeon and two assistant surgeons. Senior surgeons of brigades should be relieved from regimental duty, and on or more assistant surgeons attached to each brigade as supernumeraries for assignment ton field hospitals and infirmaries and to supply deficiencies continually arising from sickness and death of regimental medical officers. Yet, not withstanding the insufficiency of medical officers and the limited
ambulance facilities and other hospital resources at our command, nearly all the necessary operations were performed in the field infirmaries and the wounded rapidly conveyed to the general hospitals. I cannot commend too highly the zeal and efficiency of the medical corps as a body in the performance of their arduous and responsible duties during the late bloody battles. I also enclose an inventory of captured medical and hospital supplies, which have been secured by Surgeon James T. Johnson, medical purveyor. I regret to report to you that much hospital property has been secreted and retained without authority by medical officers, and even by officers of the line and private soldiers. To Surgeon Johnson is due great credit for the energy and efficiency he displayed in collecting and securing the captured hospital property we now hold in our possession . . . . Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild, Surgeon and Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia"
08/31/1862 - In a letter written by Confederate Army Gen. R. E. Lee, to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Pope, "Sir, Consideration for your wounded induces me to consent to your sending ambulances to convey them within your lines. I cannot consent to a truce or a suspension of military operations of this army. If you desire to send for your wounded, should your ambulances report to Dr. Guild, medical director of this army, he will give directions for transportation. The wounded will be paroled, and it is understood that no delay will take place in their removal. I am, respectfully, etc. R. E. Lee"
09/01/1862 - After the Battle of Second Manassas a contingent of U. S. Army medical
personnel, under a flag of truce led by U. S. Surgeon Thomas A. McParlin, visited the battlefield and met with Confederate Army Medical Director Guild, and Confederate Surgeons J. S. D. Cullen and T. F. Maury to give assistance to the Union wounded and to transport those capable of being removed by ambulance. According to Dr. McParlin, the Confederates shared food and supplies with the Union wounded. [Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, Appendix to Part I, p. 116.]
09/11/1862 - In a letter written by U. S. Army Medical Inspector Richard H. Coolidge,
Washington, DC, to U. S. Army Surgeon General William A. Hammond, "General, . . . .On Tuesday morning, after the occupation of Centreville by the rebel troops I received from Medical Director McParlin a requisition for subsistence for 1,500 men, and a note describing the destitute condition of our wounded on the field. This was the first information I had received concerning the situation of our wounded beyond Centreville. Their number was much greater than I had been led to believe, and the situation far more critical. The hospital stores at Centreville were not more than enough for the wounded there, and I had no means of sending anything to the battlefield. I stated the emergency to Major Talcott and Captain Johnston, officers of the engineer Corps of the Confederate Army, who had arrived in Centreville, and suggested, if not improper, that I might accompany them to General Lee's headquarters, in the hope of obtaining permission to pass through his lines to our own and return with ambulances and provisions. Those officers assented readily to my proposition, and I accompanied them to the headquarters of their army. I did not speak with General Lee, nor do I know in what words Major Talcott communicated to him the object of my visit. The reply brought to me was that General Lee had communicated with Major-General Pope, and that our ambulances would be allowed to pass. I was also informed that 150 ambulances had passed through their lines that day. With this information, I returned to Centreville, expecting to find ambulances, but found only one, the driver of which said he had started with a large train, but did not know where the rest had gone. I now endeavored to hire a wagon to convey a few stores to the field, and intended to go there myself, but before I could get a wagon, Medical Director McParlin came to Centreville, in obedience to my order for him to report to Major-General Pope. The conduct of affairs on the field had been intrusted to Surg. Charles Page. Medical Director McParlin was accompanied by Medical Director L. Guild, of the Army of Northern Virginia. The accounts given by these officers of the situation of our wounded were distressing. I stated to them what I had done. On consultation, it was determined that I should address a letter to the commander of the Confederate Army, stating the situation, and asking that both subsistence and ambulances be allowed to pass to us. Medical Director Guild also wrote to his commanding general, and the two letters were sent forward that night by a special courier. The reply received by Medical Director Guild on Wednesday morning, written by Col. R. Chilton, assistant adjutant-general, C. S. Army, was indefinite as to my main inquiry concerning provisions being allowed to pass, but it directed Medical Director Guild to furnish subsistence for our wounded as far as possible, and gave the route for our ambulances to take in going out, viz. by Centreville, the main road to Fairfax Court-House and Alexandria. After reading Colonel Chilton's communication, I addressed a letter to you, which was forwarded by Medical Director Guild. Believing that I had done all in my power to procure subsistence, I proceeded in company with Medical Director McParlin (it being impracticable for him to join Major General Pope) and Medical Director Guild, to the central depot of our wounded on the battle-field, where I found two ambulances, which I sent to Centreville for hospital stores and blankets, and then rode over the entire field, to ascertain the situation and condition of our wounded. At this time, Wednesday afternoon, September 3, they had been collected in field hospitals, most of them in and around houses, but some merely in groups at selected sites on the field, without other shelter than blankets. Only two of these hospitals were without medical officers; they had been visited by the surgeon of the central station, and had a few nurses. There were about 30 wounded in each. After my arrival on the field, only 4 of our wounded were found completely isolated and without attendance. None had been absolutely without food, though the amount was extremely limited… Those who had been collected in the vicinity of houses had found provisions on which they had subsisted. In some instances the surgeons had succeeded in procuring a sheep or a pig and some corn-meal, and in one place, the Van Pelt house, the surgeons found some coffee, sugar, cider, wine, and were able to procure meat. Although doubtful of the propriety of so doing, I accepted the invitation to pass the night with Medical Director Guild at his camp on the battle-field. The result was, as I had hoped, beneficial to m wounded. It enabled me to have two ambulances, which had returned empty from Centreville, filled with hospital stores and blankets from the supplies which had been conveyed from Centreville to the camp of Medical Director Guild, and, during our ride over the field, three small beeves were purchased by that officer and ordered to be delivered to me the next morning. On Thursday morning the first train of ambulances from the city arrived on the field, with fresh bread and an abundant and varied supply of food and hospital stores. . . . ., Your obedient servant, Richard H. Coolidge, Medical Inspector, U. S. Army" [O.R. - ser. I, vol. XIX/2, pp. 259-263.]
09/13/1862 - In a letter written by Confederate Army Gen. R. E. Lee, from Hagerstown, MD, to Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis in Richmond, VA, "Mr. President, . . . . .I fear there was much suffering among the wounded, but it was impossible to prevent it. Dr. Guild, the medical director, with detachments from each brigade, was left upon the field and all the wounded committed to his care. All the means of transportation at our command were given to him, including the wagons, with directions that the wounded must receive the first attention and be sent to Warrenton. they were ordered to be forwarded thence to Gordonsville as fast as possible, and as they were able to bear the transportation. . . . With sincere wishes for your health and prosperity, I am, most respectfully and truly yours, R. E. Lee"
09/21/1862 - ". . . . Hospitals for the sick and wounded will also be provided by securing neighboring barns and buildings sufficiently commodious, and surgeons placed on duty with them. Surgeon Guild, medical director, will so soon as through with duties connected with removing the sick and wounded to the rear, proceed to Winchester and organize this department for efficient action …by command of Gen. R. E. Lee" [S.O. 196/2 Army of Northern Virginia Gen. R. E. Lee]
10/09/1862 - In a letter written from a camp near Winchester, VA, to Surgeon Gen. S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, . . . . We have experienced so much difficulty in every branch of our department that I have from day to day postponed reporting to you, vainly hoping that I might be able to inform you fully and intelligently of the conditions of the medical department of the Army of Northern Virginia. The reports of casualties are now slowly coming in, and I trust soon a complete report can be furnished to me. As you are doubtless aware, many of our sick and wounded have been paroled by the enemy's cavalry, an expedient resorted to by them to get an equivalent for their men captured in battle. Our limited transportation has compelled us to leave many wounded in exposed positions, and they have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Hospitals in the rear have been entered and patients paroled who were reported to be in articulo mortis. However, I presume everything is fair in war. We are in great need of ambulance wagons; could it be possible to furnish the army with about 50 more? While in Maryland we were unable to procure medical supplies to any amount. I received your communication relative to purchasing such articles as we need if opportunity should offer, and will have your orders executed. Up to this time but few reports of sick and wounded have been sent in, the surgeons being unable to make them out, owing to the continued march to which the army has been subjected since leaving Richmond, and their time being also much occupied in caring for the wounded in the late battles. There are about 5,000 sick and wounded still in Winchester, who are being removed to Staunton in ambulance wagons that should be with the marching army. I am greatly obliged to you for relieving rile from the care and responsibility of hospitals left in the rear of the army. I sincerely hope that Medical Director Williams, or some competent inspector under him, will be ordered to Winchester to superintend the removal of these disabled soldiers, their position being an unsafe one in the event of a movement of the army. If our army leaves here, they may be paroled by the enemy's cavalry. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. L. Guild, Surgeon and Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XIX/2, pp. 659-660.]
12/12/1862 - In a letter written from a camp near Fredericksburg, VA, to Confederate Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, The battle commenced yesterday, and is still raging. The armies are fighting, with the river between them. The railroad is not under control of the military authorities. We have not more than 100 wounded as yet. The ambulance committee, composed of citizens of Richmond, have offered their services, and every facility will be extended to them from the medical, quartermaster's, and commissary departments. Some definite and well-regulated system of railroad transportation should be adopted for the wounded. All the farm houses in this vicinity are filled with poor refugees from the bombarded town of Fredericksburg, and our limited transportation has precluded our having a sufficiency of tents; therefore it will be necessary to have the wounded rapidly conveyed to Richmond, after the primary operations have been performed. It would relieve me of great additional trouble and responsibility if you will assign some officer to special duty of directing the transportation of wounded on the railroad, and their proper care in transitu. A fixed schedule of time for running should be adopted. Everything portends a bloody battle. Our ambulance wagons will, no doubt, be sufficient to remove the wounded from the field to the infirmaries, and from the infirmaries to the railroad depot. Herbig reported with 38 ambulances. Our whole army is concentrated in this immediate vicinity. I believe the medical department is in excellent condition. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. L. Guild, Surgeon and Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXI, pp. 557] [Note: Capt. John Herbig was in charge of Herbig Infirmary Corps, which was part of the Army of Northern Virginia. Their specialty was evacuating wounded from battlefield fields to general hospitals further behind the lines.]
12/13/1862 - In a letter written from near Fredericksburg, VA, to Confederate Army Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, The battle continued yesterday until noon; since then all is very quiet. The enemy have crossed the river in strong force at several points, and are moving on our right. I think this will be one of the bloodiest fights of the war. Our men are in fine condition, and fight with great bravery, bearing their suffering from wounds, with great fortitude and heroism. There are many complaints about the manner in which railroad trains are managed I am not, however, prepared to report that the fault lies with the director of the road. The ambulance committee have reported to me, and I have pointed out to them the positions in which I think they will be of most service. On the battlefield they will be in the way, besides being unnecessarily exposed. Let them receive the wounded at the railroad depot, from the field infirmaries, and provide for them in transitu to general hospital. I enclose you a copy of my letter to Mr. Enders, chairman of that committee. I have furnished the committee with some of the "portable soup-meat" for trial, and if it makes palatable died for the wounded, I would advise them to procure a large quantity. Most of our wounded are thus far from Jackson's corps. His medical officers are busily engaged, day and night, and if the battle continues, it will be necessary that, for their relief, their number be increased. Our loss, up to this time, I do not think exceeds 2000. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild, Surgeon and Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia." [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXI, pp. 557-558.]
12/24/1862 - Granted 7 days leave [S.O. 276/2 Army of Northern Virginia (ANV), Gen. R. E. Lee]
03/23/1863 - Ordered brigade, division, and corps Surgeons to aid in the collection of wild greenery to supplement the shortage of food for the ANV [Circular 23 - Letters and Orders Issued and Received, NARA]
04/24/1863 - Granted 7 days leave [S.O.114/15 Army of Northern Virginia, Gen. R. E. Lee]
05/08/1863 - In a letter written by Confederate Army Gen. R. E. Lee, to U .S. Army Gen. J. Hooker, "General, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 8 p.m. yesterday, which has just reached me. Dr. L. Guild, the medical director of this army, will take measures to have such supplies as you may send to the fords for your wounded transported to them if they can be got across the river. He is near Chancellorsville, and will make all necessary arrangements with the surgeons already in charge of your hospitals at that point, and there will be no necessity for sending a special order unless more attendants are required for your wounded. I will send the number of your wounded as soon as it is ascertained. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. Lee" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXV/2, p. 448.]
05/19/1863 - As Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate States Army, submitted a requisition for forage for 26 horses "in the service of the Medical Director, ANV"
06/06/1863 - In a letter written from a camp near Fredericksburg, VA, to Confederate Army Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, The army is moving. The First and Second Army Corps have marched. The Third Corps, General A. P. Hill, remains here for the present. After our army commenced its movements up the Rappahannock, the enemy made considerable demonstration opposite Fredericksburg, brought down their pontoon train with great flourish, and in the afternoon of yesterday, under the protection of eighteen or twenty pieces of artillery, crossed over quite a force, capturing about 50 of our men in the rifle pits. We are striking our tents, and if the enemy had not appeared immediately at our front, I should have been on my way to Culpeper Court-House, where I was ordered to join the general. The firing of yesterday stopped the general here, and at present it is impossible to say what movement will be determined upon. This morning there has been some little cannonading across the river. I have given preparatory orders for the establishment of receiving hospitals on the Central and Orange Railroad. Culpeper Court-House will be one of the first to be organized, provided, of course, the army continues its movement in that direction. Gordonsville will be the most eligible position for a purveying depot, and Surgeon [W. H.] Geddings has received the necessary instructions. The Central and Orange Railroad will be our direct line of communication. In the event of the movement in anticipation, I respectfully ask that ambulance trains (railroad trains) be established and equipped on that line of the road similarly to those in use upon the Fredericksburg road, with medical officers, nurses, and all conveniences necessary for the comfort and safe conveyance of the sick and wounded to general hospitals. It is the intention to send no more sick to Richmond, if suitable accommodations can be provided for them elsewhere. The difficulty of connecting at Hanover Junction with the Central train going west, together with the impracticability of keeping the sick at that point, has rendered it impossible to direct their conveyance from Richmond. Gordonsville will be the point of distribution, and the hospital department at that point should be prepared for the temporary accommodation of several thousand sick and wounded, particularly if an engagement takes place on the Upper Rappahannock or along the railroad to Alexandria. I am not informed as to the extent of hospital accommodations at Gordonsville, and do not believe it would be advisable to establish a large permanent hospital there; yet the necessities of the case may demand temporary preparations at that point of great magnitude. Charlottesville, Staunton, Lynchburg, Danville, Farmville, etc. I think might afford ample accommodation. I enclose a circular which I have just issued. It is simply a condensation of orders previously issued from your office and from mine. I find it necessary to reiterate orders every few months, or they become obsolete, or rather they are disregarded. Sixteen of the severely wounded, who could not be removed far from the battlefield of Chancellorsville, will be sent to Richmond tomorrow. Thirty will remain at Ellwood hospital, yet in no condition to be moved. I regret to report to you that some of the stumps from amputations will require supplementary operations. Ordinarily the amputations were well done, and I can only attribute the necessity for further surgical interference to the applications of improper dressing or no dressing at all, and to sloughing. However, it may be that the bad appearance of these stumps could not have been avoided. Among those still remaining in the hospital are quite a number of fractures of the femur, some in the upper third, reported as doing well. If I go to Culpeper, I will take the hospitals in my route, and report to you more particularly their condition. Skirmishing with the enemy continues, and I am unable to tell you what the general has in contemplation. I will telegraph to you, if possible, should anything of great importance transpire. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild. Surgeon and Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia. [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXVII//3, pp. 863-864]
06/08/1863 - In a letter written by Gen. R. E. Lee to the Chairman, Ambulance Committee, Richmond, VA, "Sir, I have received a letter of June 6, from Surgeon [St. George Tucker] Peachey, in behalf of your committee. I am under great obligation to them for their services to the sick and wounded of this army, from the battles around Richmond to the present time. I thank them for this renewed offer of extend service, and will always notify you when I am in a position to avail myself of their valuable aid. Upon consultation with the chief surgeon of the army, Dr. Guild, I do not see that it would be of any benefit to the service for the committee to accompany the army in any movement which the campaign may render necessary. It would be a serious inconvenience to the members of the committee, and they would be without employment, except after a battle. Moreover, it would be impossible, with the present limited transportation of the army, to furnish the number of wagons necessary for the committee and its supplies. The greatest benefit which the committee can do the wounded is to continue the same services which they have hitherto performed; to give them their tender care in their transportation to the hospitals; to furnish them with such supplies as will alleviate their painful journey, and this relieve much suffering and save many valuable lives to the country. I am, with much respect, your obedient servant, R. E. Lee" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXVII//3, p. 873]
06/18/1863 - Ordered by Gen. Lee to Winchester, VA, to determine the status of the sick and wounded Confederate soldiers and Union prisoners of war at that place and whether they should remain there
06/22/1863 - In a letter written from a camp near Berryville, VA, to Confederate Army Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, The First and Third Corps of this army are now concentrated in the vicinity of Berryville and the two Gaps of the Blue Ridge - Ashby's and Snicker's. I have directed all of our sick and wounded be collected at Jordan's Springs preparatory to their removal up the Valley to Staunton. The town of Winchester is in such a filthy condition, and low forms of fever are rife, that I deemed it unwise to permit any of our sick and wounded to remain there. The Yankee sick and wounded prisoners I have ordered to be placed in a hospital camp just out of town. Jordan's Springs is a very suitable place for a hospital; the patients are very well cared for and are comfortable. It will be impossible, however, to feed them her but for a short time. Necessity will compel their removal toward Staunton. I am unable to ascertain definitely whether there are hospitals at Harrisonburg and Mount Jackson, and the capacity for their accommodations. These points would make good by-road hospitals, temporarily, in which the sick and wounded who could not bear along journey in ambulance wagons might be accommodated. It is very desirable, however, that all, if possible, should be sent to Staunton, as those in intermediate places might fall into the hands of the enemy, in the event of the army's advance or the abandonment of the Valley. There are between "700 and 800 sick and wounded from every portion of our army at Jordan's Springs, a vast majority of whom are very slightly sick, and will soon rejoin their commands. the enemy's sick and wounded at Winchester number about 500. Our loss in the battle of Winchester was very small. The list of casualties has not yet been received. Much property of all kinds was captured. The Second Army Corps, who were in advance of the army, and fought the battle, appropriated "the spoils." A large quantity of medical and hospital supplies must have fallen into our hands, but Medical Director McGuire has not yet forwarded an inventory of the captured articles. Every preparation is being made to enter the enemy's country, as you will perceive from General Orders No. 72, a copy of which I inclose. I directed Surgeon Geddings to telegraph to you for funds; however, I believe we can manage to make purchases by giving certified receipts, or by transfer of funds from the Quartermaster's Department to the Medical Department. Colonel Corley informs me that this transfer will be made, if necessary. If medical officers can be spared from Richmond or other general hospitals, I would respectfully request that 12 or 15 surgeons and assistant surgeons be ordered to report to me for duty with this army, as soon as practicable. Our rapid movements and constant skirmishing with the enemy, and insufficient ambulance, make this demand for additional officers necessary. I have ordered to Winchester Surgeon
[J. E.] Claggett, with other medical officers, who have been on duty at different temporary hospitals along the lines of railroad. Surgeon Geddings will establish a purveying depot at Winchester for the present. I fear there will be some difficulty in transporting the necessary supplies from Staunton by road wagons. The purveying depot needs additional assistant surgeons, which I am unable to detach from regiments. I respectfully ask that you assign two officers competent to perform the duties. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild. Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXVII//3, pp. 916- 917]
07/29/1863 - In a report written from a camp near Culpeper Court-House, to Confederate Army Surgeon General S. P. Moore, Richmond, VA, "Sir, At midnight, July 3, after the fiercest and most sanguinary battle ever fought on this continent, the general commanding gave orders for our army to withdraw from Gettysburg and fall back to Hagerstown. I inclose you a copy of my instructions to the corps of medical directors issued on that occasion. Every available means of transportation was called into requisition for removing the wounded from the field infirmaries, and, on the evening of the 4th, our ambulance trains took up their line of march by two routes, guarded as well as could be by our broken-down and inefficient cavalry. One train went by Cashtown, the other by Fairfield. The latter train was attacked by a body of the enemy's cavalry, who destroyed many wagons and paroled the wounded private soldiers, but taking with them all of the officers who fell into their hands. The former train was more fortunate; however, it too, was attacked by the enemy, and met with some little loss in wagons and prisoners. The poor wounded suffered very much indeed in their rapid removal by day and night, over rough roads, through mountain passes, and across streams, toward the Potomac. Those who could be removed from the battle-field and infirmaries were concentrated at Williamsport, and transferred to the Virginia bank of the river, by rafts and ferry boats, as rapidly as the swollen condition of the stream would permit. Since my hasty and imperfect letter of the 10th instant from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Md., I have not had time or opportunity to report to you more fully our movements. At Hagerstown, as I informed you in my last letter, we fully expected another battle, and prepared for it. We waited there six long days, nearly every day the two armies engaging in desultory skirmishing. When the enemy made his appearance in force, instead of attacking us, as we expected, he commenced fortifying himself all along our line of battle, his line being little less than a mile from ours. Our supplies for both men and animals were rapidly exhausted, and the enemy declining battle by laying aside his muskets and taking his picks and shovels, orders were given for us to resume our march toward the Potomac on the 13th instant. The army crossed at three points (two fords near Williamsport, very deep and bad fords, the being swollen, at which quite a number of animals were drowned, and the pontoon bridge at Failing Waters) without molestation from the enemy, who contented himself with picking up stragglers. Our crossing the river without annoyance evidently shows that the enemy were very badly crippled, and could not risk another general engagement. The sufferings of the wounded were distressing. Indeed, the healthiest and most robust suffered extremely in crossing the river. The head of our column commenced passage at dark on the 13th instant, and in the afternoon of the 14th the rear guard reached the south bank. On July 15, we encamped near Bunker Hill, 12 miles north of Winchester, and remained there until the 21st, refreshing the troops and removing to the rear our sick and wounded from Winchester and Jordan Springs, at which place I found about 4,000 sick and wounded, steps for their removal to Staunton being immediately taken. All who could bear transportation were gotten off by the 22d instant, less than 150 remaining at the two places. Mount Jackson and Harrisonburg have been used simply as wayside hospitals, where the sick and wounded were refreshed with food, and wounds redressed. Medical officers with supplies of all kinds, being stationed at the two points, on the 22nd the army resumed its march, the First and Third Corps taking different routes to Front Royal and Chester Gap, where they were convalesced, and the march continued to this point, where they encamped on the 25th, and are now resting after their arduous night arches through great inclemency of weather. The Second Army Corps crossed the Blue Ridge at Thorton's Gap, south of Chester Gap, and will encamp in our vicinity to-day. Considerable sickness has been the consequence of their fatigue and exposure. Diarrhea, dysentery, continued fever, and rheumatism preponderate. I have prohibited the establishment of a hospital at Culpeper Court House, but organized a depot for the sick and wounded who cannot be treated in camp. Those who should go to general hospitals are sent with all dispatch to Gordonsville for distribution. The sick and wounded should, in my opinion, by no means be allowed to accumulate at Gordonsville. It is or may be at any time exposed to cavalry raids, and inhuman enemy variability, when an opportunity offers, drag our sick and wounded officers (at the sacrifice of their lives) into their own lines. Mount Jackson and Harrisonburg, in the Valley of the Shenandoah, should be abandoned as hospitals, as far as practicable, leaving only those patients whose lives would be endangered by transportation. I have ordered Surgeon [R. J.] Breckinridge, medical inspector of the army, to proceed to the hospitals near the army where our sick and wounded have been sent since the battle of Gettysburg, and to have all who are fit for duty returned to their regiments. I inclose for your information a copy of my letter of instructions to him and order from the general commanding. The list of casualties has been forwarded to my office, and embraces the whole army, with the exception of two brigades, which I have taken steps to have made out. Our loss at Gettysburg was very heavy, indeed numbering 14,000 killed and wounded. The consolidated list will be furnished you at an early day. At the battle of Winchester, fought by General Ewell's corps on June 13, 14, and 15, our loss was comparatively small - 42 killed and 210 wounded. I will also forward to you very soon the list of casualties, properly prepared. Complaints are very frequently made by medical officers and officers of the line that many of the sick and wounded who are sent to general hospitals are never heard from, the hospital surgeons failing to report deaths, discharges, furlough, etc. I would again respectfully request that means be adopted for the correction of this neglect of duty on the part of the medical officers in general hospital[s]. I am exceedingly interested in having a personal interview with you relative to some changes in the organization of our corps in the field, particularly in the purveying department. It is impossible for me to visit Richmond at this time, but hope to soon have an opportunity. My office is exhausted of blank forms. Please have forwarded to me the following, viz. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. Guild, Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXVII//2, pp. 326-328]
07/31/1863 - Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia
08/26/1863 - Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, near Orange Court House, Orange Co., VA
09/11/1863 - As Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, near Orange Court House, Orange Co., VA, used a captured U. S. Army form as a receipt for the cost of sending telegrams
09/21/1863 - In a report by Gen. R. E. Lee to Confederate Army Adjutant and Inspector General concerning the Chancellorsville Campaign, Gen. Lee stated that " The medical director of the army, Surgeon L. Guild, with the officers of his department, were untiring in their attention to the wounded." [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. XXV/1, p. 804]
10/01/1863 - Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, Camp near Brandy Station, VA
01/04/1864 - Granted 7 days leave [S.O. 4 Army of Northern Virginia, Gen. R. E. Lee]
02/22/1864 - Granted 30 days leave [S.O. 51 Army of Northern Virginia, Gen. R. E. Lee]
05/06/1864 - In a letter to Gen. R. E. Lee, written by Andrew Dunn, Aide-de-Camp, Headquarters, 1st Corps, Dept. of Northern Virginia, near Parker's Store, VA, "General, We succeeded in getting General Longstreet this far in tolerable comfort. Doctors [J.S. D.] Cullen, [Randolph] Barksdale, [E. N.] Wood, and [Lafayette] Guild have made a partial examination of the wound, which they pronounce not necessarily fatal. I assure you, general, nothing could be announced to General Longstreet's staff that could give them more pleasure, and we hope that in a short time he will be on duty again. I will afford our dear general great pleasure to know that what he inaugurated has been successful - that is the entire repulse of the hated enemy. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, Andrew Dunn, Aide-de- Camp" [ O.R. - ser. I, vol. LI/2, p. 893] [Note: Confederate Gen. James Longstreet was seriously wounded by his own men. The bullet entered near his throat and travelled into his right shoulder. Severe hemorrhage resulted putting him out of action until October 19, 1864.]
07/00/1864 - In an article entitled "Healing of Gun-Shot Wounds by First Intention", written by Confederate Surgeon Middleton Michel, ". . . .Through the courtesy of my friends, Surgeon L. Guild, medical Director of Gen. Lee's army, and Surgeon J. T. Gilmore, Chief Surgeon of McLaw's division, and Surgeon [Simon] Buruch, 3rd South Carolina battalion, I examined several whose chests had been entirely transfixed by the bayonet, and who were all doing well. Their wounds healed in less than forty-eight hours; two had expectorated a little blood, but careful auscultation could detect no abnormal sounds; there was but little pain present and no cough; no hemorrhage of any account from the wound had been remarked. The men were seated up in their tents on the fourth day eating, and the cordiform and punctured wounds, indicating the heel and point of the bayonet, already healed, were well defined on the respective sides of the chest." [ Source: Confederate States Medical and Surgical Journal, Richmond, Virginia, vol. 1, no. 7, p. 102.]
04/09/1865 - As Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, paroled by the U. S. Army,
Appomattox C.H. VA
04/00/1865 - In a report by Surgeon J. B. Morrison, Medical Director, Army of the
James, U. S. Volunteers, " . . . . In regards to medical and hospital property turned over by the rebels, I have to say there was but little. It was sent over in parcels, and at different times, and before it could be collected some of it was lost or destroyed by our own men, there being no guard on the wagon park. However, Surgeon Guild, General Lee's medical director, informed me that there was but little to transfer. In the midst of the general bustle and confusion, I did the best I could to collect it."
11/24/1865 - Signed a Proclamation Oath to defend the Constitution of the United States and obey all laws made during the rebellion "with reference to the Emancipation of Slavery"
12/01/1865 - In a letter written from Mobile, AL, "To His Excellency - Andrew Johnson - President of the United States - I have the honor respectfully to represent that I was a Medical Officer of the United States Army from the month of March 1849 to June 1861. I am a native of the State of Alabama; yet I never exercised the right of franchise or any other rights of a Citizen in that state during my service in the United States Army. I did not vote for secession, neither did I take any part whatever in that movement by my native state or any other Southern state. In 1861 when Alabama voted to secede from the Union, I was on duty in Northern portion of California and upon learning of this action of Alabama I immediately applied to be permitted to come to the East in order to resign my position in the U.S. Army and follow the fortunes of my native state. In July 1861 I joined the Confederate Army as Surgeon; & served as Medical Director of the Army of Northern Virginia from June 1862 until April 1865 when that Army was surrendered by Genl. R. E. Lee to Genl. Grant at Appomattox Court House. Therefore coming under the fifth (5th) exception in the Presidents Proclamation of Amnesty & Pardon of May 29th 1865 and not under any other exception of said Proclamation. Your Petitioner respectfully makes application for executive clemency and requests that he be restored to the right of a citizen of the United States. The Oath of Amnesty is hereto appended. L. Guild, M.D."
02/11/1866 - Practiced medicine and surgery, Room 24, Battle House, Mobile, AL
03/08/1866 - Appointed Quarantine Physician, Mobile, AL, and made "arrangements for a quarantine station and a lazaretto [isolation hospital for patients with infectious diseases] in Navy Cove, about midway between Fort Morgan and 'Pilot Town'" [Alexandria Gazette and Advertiser, Alexandria, LA, March 27, 1866, p. 2, c. 1.]
1869 - Because of rheumatism "contracted in the Confederate service, he sought relief by removing to the mild climate of California." [Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, AL, Nov. 5, 1907]
1869-1870 - City Physician, San Francisco, CA
05/02/1870 - Appointed by the San Francisco Board of Health, Visiting Surgeon, San Francisco City Hospital and San Francisco County Hospital
07/01/1870 - "Tarrying" in Maryville, CA, for his health
07/04/1870 - Died of "rheumatism of the heart", in the home of Hon. Chas E. Filkins, Marysville, Yuba Co., CA (buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa Co., AL; FindAGrave #18868)
07/31/1870 - "There are thousands in the United States who will drop a tear to the memory of this good man" [Obituary of Dr. Lafayette Guild, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, CA, July 31, 1870, p. 2.]
06/15/1880 - Widow lived in the Louise Home, Washington, DC (indexed in the 1880 U.S. Census as Pattie Guild) [Note: The Louise Home was opened by William W. Corcoran, named for his wife and daughter, as a gift to women "reduced by misfortune."]
02/12/1884 - Father, James, died in Tuscaloosa, AL (buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa Co., AL; FindAGrave #68546782)
02/05/1885 - Mother, Mary Elizabeth, died in Tuscaloosa, AL (buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa Co., AL; FindAGrave #68546814)
00/00/1900 - Widow, Martha, employed by the United States Post Office Department, Washington, DC
04/16/1902 - Widow, Patti, died of feeble health at the home of Mrs. R. H. Nicholson, Fifth St., Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Co., AL ((buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa Co., AL; FindAGrave #48714377) [Source: The Age-Herald, Birmingham, AL, April 18, 1902, p. 3, c. 1.]

Michael Angelo provided input to this biography.

This biographical sketch is from:
Hambrecht, F. T. & Koste, J. L., Biographical
register of physicians who served the
Confederacy in a medical capacity.
03/25/2021. Unpublished database.