Lt. Col. Anne-Louis de Toussard-- Part 3: A Major Force in Creation of the USMA

In 1798 he proposed the idea of a national military school, with a comprehensive curriculum, to  Secretary of War James McHenry.  He helped convert the West Point garrison into that academy in 1800.  He then began instruction to the first twelve cadets in the first Class at the academy on 1800.

His regiment was disbanded in 1802 and he returned to France via Santo Domingo in 1802.  French Vice-Consul in Philadelphia in 1805.  Served as the French Consul ad interim in New Orleans  1811-1816 (when he wrote the letter about the Hurricane of 1812).  Supported the work of General Jackson during the War of 1812.

Returned to Paris in 1816.  Made a Knight of the Royal Military Order of St. Louis in 1799  Wrote "American Artillerists Companion" in 1809.  Married  Maria Francisca Joubert in 1788 and then Anna Maria Geddes in 1795.

A grandson of his, Lt. -Col.  Anthony Eugene Stocker MD (1819-1897), a grandson, succeeded him in the Society of the Cincinnati, being admitted as a Heriditary Member in 1888.  He was a medical doctor during the Civil War, most of the time in a position of leadership in the medical corps.

--Brock-Perry

Dr. John Todd-- Part 3: From Kentucky to Springfield, Illinois

From The People Lincoln Knew site.

Mary Todd Lincoln's uncle and de facto patriarch of the Springfield, Illinois, Todds.  Robert Smith Todd, Mary's father, never moved to Springfield.

He was born in Lexington Kentucky in 1787 and received an excellent education, graduating from Transylvania College in Lexington and the Medical University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  he served in the War of 1812 as surgeon general of Kentucky troops  before returning to his Lexington, Ky., practice.

In 1813, he married Elizabeth Smith, age 20, .

In 1827, John Quincy Adams appointed him Register of the General Land Office in Springfield, Illinois.  He held that position until 1829, when he was removed for political reasons following the election of Andrew Jackson to president.  John Todd then practiced medicine in Springfield until his death at age 77 in 1865.

--Brock-Perry

Dr. John Todd-- Part 2: At The River Raisin

Brother of Robert Smith Todd (Mary Todd Lincoln's father, so he world be her uncle.)

From the River Raisin.org site.

Under Selected American Leaders page.

Dr. John Todd, born near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1787.  Was  surgeon of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment in 1812.  Stayed behind to take care of the wounded after the Battle of the River Raisin.

At the British hospital at Stony Creek  on January 23, 1813, he urged the British to return to French Town to rescue  the wounded who were being killed by the Indians, but to no avail.

After the war, Todd practiced medicine in Lexington, then moved to Illinois.  His niece, Mary Todd would become the wife of Abraham Lincoln.

--Brock-Perry

Dr. John Todd-- Part 1: Brother of Robert Smith Todd

From Find-A-Grave.

Brother of John Smith Todd, uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln.

Graduate of Transylvania University and University of Pennsylvania. 

Took part in the War of 1812.    Acted as Surgeon General of Kentucky troops.

Was at the Battle of River Raisin where he was taken prisoner and later confined to  the "Pens of Malden."  Paroled in winter of 1813.

Returned to Kentucky where he continued his medical practice.

1817 moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, and 1827 to Springfield, Illinois.  Buried Oak Wood Cemetery in Springfield.

--Brock-Perry

James McHenry-- Part 1: Physician From Ireland

From Wikipedia.

James McHenry (1753-1816)

In the last post, I mentioned that Fort McHenry was named after this man.

Born in Ireland.   American military surgeon and statesman.  Was the third U.S. Secretary of War, serving under George Washington and John Adams.

In 1771, his family sent him to the North American colonies for his health and to see if moving there would be a good idea.  He apprenticed under Benjamin Rush to be a physician.  Practiced medicine and became a surgeon.

During the American Revolution he served as a physician.  On August 10, 1776, he was appointed surgeon of the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion and stationed at Fort Washington, New York.  He was taken prisoner when the fort was captured by Sir William Howe.

While prisoner, he observed the poor medical conditions the prisoners had, but nothing came of it.

--Brock-Perry

Epraim Brevard Osborne, War of 1812 Medical Doctor

Buried in Salem Cemetery, Navarro County (or possibly Hill County)Medical doctor in the war and one of the few survivors of the Fort Mims Massacre.  His brother Spruce Osborne was killed there.  Ephraim was also at the Battle of New Orleans.

He married in 1818.

He died May 23, 1875, in Emmett, Navarro County.

A note from his son mentioned that Lt. Osborne was at Fort Mims and the Battle of New Orleans.  He added, "I have heard him tell of the breast works of cotton bales and of the dense fog that enveloped the whole face of the earth."

--Brock-Perry