THOMSON,  William  t

Physician,  surgeon,  soldier,  author;
born  at  Chambersburg,  Jan.  28,  1S33;  son
of  Hon.  Alex.  Thomson,  Judge  Sixteenth
Judicial  District,  and  Jane  (Graham)
Thomson.  Classical  and  literary  educa-
tion at  Chambersburg  Academy.  Gradu-
ated from  Jefterson  Medical  College  1855.
Married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  WniiSLm  E.
George,  of  Merion,  Pa.,  In  1857.  Assist-
ant Surgeon  United  States  Army,  IS^
On  duty  with  Army  of  Potomac  befoR
Bull  Run,  with  which  conunand  he  servisi
in  the  field  or  at  its  base  in  Washingtoa
until  the  war  closed.  General  Haapitals
Alexandria,  Va.,  and  in  1862,  Portsmooth.
He  Joined  Gen.  McClellan's  headquarten
at^Harrison's  Landing  and  tiecame  aaslstant
to  Medical  Director,  continued  throughout
Antietam  campaign  and  down  to  Freder-
icksburg, when  he  was  ordered  to  take
charge  of  the  Douglas  General  Hoepital,
Washington.  Three  days  before  Antietaa
was  at  battle  of  South  Mountain  and  was
left  in  charge  of  field  with  over  3.9M
Union  and  Confederate  dead  and  woanded
to  care  for.  Returned  to  headquarters  and
aided  in  care  and  transportation  of  the
thousands  of  men  disabled  at  Antietam.
The  experience  gained  led  to  two  laming
reforms  proposed  to  and  adopted  by  the
Medical  Director:  a  change  in  Medical
Supplies;  and  an  order  for  Division  Hos-
pitals to  prevent  any  confusion  during
and  after  an  engagement  After  these
proved  of  value  in  the  Army  of  the  Po-
tomac they  were  made  general  through-
out all  the  armies  by  order  of  the  Secre-
tary of  War,  and  remained  with  little  or
no  change  until  the  armies  were  dis-
banded. In  1868  he  became  Surgeon  in
Charge  Douglas  Hospital,  WashingtoD.
