Video
Guns Across the Lakes S2: Usher Parsons
Transcript
Welcome back to Guns Across the Lakes I am Ranger Rob and I'm at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island Put-in-Bay, OH. When you think of the Battle of Lake Erie what comes to mind? Ships, guns, muskets, boarding axes, pikes, shot, Perry, Barclay? Would you think of these tools? Tools like these serve a very specific purpose and were used by one man. Dr. Usher Parsons aboard the US Brig Lawrence. On this episode of Guns Across the Lake will follow the fascinating life and times of Dr. Parsons.
Parson's story begins in Alford, Massachusetts now present-day Maine. Born in August of 1788 Parsons was the youngest of nine kids. Although Parsons attended school and worked for some time as a store clerk, he decided to follow a different career path and became a medical apprentice in May of 1807. In addition to apprenticing Parsons would begin attending anatomy classes at a local school. While this would have likely been considered sufficient training for a career in medicine at this time Parsons moved to Boston in 1811 to study under Dr John Warren brother to Dr Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame. By 1812 Parsons obtained his license to practice medicine and attempted to start his own practice. Parsons was unsuccessful at establishing a practice and given that the US was on the brink of war with Great Britain he decided to apply to be a surgeon in the army. This endeavor was unsuccessful because Parsons could not find support. With debt looming over his head Parsons attempted to apply for a job for the US Navy. Finally, on July 6, 1812 Parsons was commissioned as Surgeons Mate with the help of Congressman Dr. Bartlett. Parsons exclaimed "no one could imagine my joy. It was ecstatic frantic."
In early August Parsons reported to the US Corvette John Adams stationed in New York City. Parsons is not in New York for long before his commander Isaac Chauncey was ordered the great lakes. Before Chauncey left his post there he asked his men if there were any volunteers that would want to make the move to the great lakes with him. Many of the officers and crew followed including Usher Parson. Many of these men would be destined for Sacketts Harbor. Parsons kept a diary and many of his entries during this time can be almost viewed as if he's on a travel log some sort of adventure. Parsons often discussed the people he met the homes he saw the vessels that he passed. He also recorded medical information he deemed relevant. As Parsons progresses through his medical career his entries related to practicing medicine become even more detailed. This helps us better understand medicine in the early 19th century. Parsons details certainly helps us at Perry's Victory better interpret the Battle of Lake Erie. On Monday September 28, 1812 Parsons arrived at his stop in Albany, New York and stated "arrived insight of Albany about 10 o'clock in the evening. Crew was very healthy there being only three names on the sick book. We this day discovered among the crew the female clad and sailors apparel." Unfortunately Parsons does not provide detail as to who this woman was or why she decided to attempt to join the navy or what happens to her after that after leaving Albany. Parsons continued on to Black Rock while others traveled to Lake Ontario to serve with Chauncey at Sacketts Harbor. Parsons arrived at Black Rock in time to see the gruesome aftermath of the battle of Queenston Heights, Elliott's expedition across the Niagara river to capture the Caledonia as well as other attacks along the Niagara River. There Parsons would take care of his first battlefield casualties. As the fighting slowed during the winter months Parsons continued to care for the sick and wounded, went hunting, often rowed on the Niagara River. The war began to pick up pace again in the spring and news circulated that Fort George in Upper Canada, now Ontario, had been captured by the US.
With the fall of Fort George, Parsons and a group of men crossed the Niagara River the next day. traveled to Fort Erie upon arriving they find two men who that will then surrender themselves and the fort. Was this the only time in US History where a Surgeon's Mate accepted the surrender of an enemy fortification? Parsons does that stay long at Fort Erie, however orders reach Parson that Oliver Hazard Perry would be arriving at Black Rock to take all US naval vessels and men to Erie, Pennsylvania to join the vessels under construction there. During his time in Erie Parsons would write in his diary about the sick men under his care, dinners in town, the people of Erie, adventures in the countryside. On August 12, 1813 Parsons wrote the US squadron was finally heading west. By the 17th they arrived at Sandusky Bay and began preparations for a meeting between General Harrison and his officers and American Indians to view the US naval vessels that had been amassing there. On the 21st Parsons wrote "generals took their departure having stripped us of all our provisions" although more supplies were being requisitioned from Erie Parsons would be forced to confront more pressing issues at hand. Taking care of the squadron's health while fighting with the British was likely intimate. A few examples from Parsons' diary are as follows. "Friday the 27th commodore sick. Saturday the 28th I've been unwell eight days. Sunday August 29th soldier on board the Trippe died. People becoming very sickly. September the second, 26 men unfit for duty besides four officers. Sunday the fifth visited and prescribed for 57 patients. Tuesday the 7th about 20 men sick called out to see Dr. Barton of Niagara. Wednesday eighth, called on board Niagara twice. Rained all day." September 10th as you may know the battle occurred out here on Lake Erie and this is what Usher Parsons wrote. "Friday September 10th Quarter before meridian the enemy commenced the action at one mile distance in half an hour, we came within musket shot of the enemy's new ship Detroit. This time they opened a most destructive fire on the Lawrence from their whole squadron. At half past one entirely disabled. We could work the brig no longer. 2 pm most of the guns were dismounted, breechings gone, carriages knocked to pieces. At half past two when not another gun could be worked or fired from the Lawrence Captain Perry hauled down the fighting flag which bore this motto Dont Give Up the Ship. Repaired on board the Niagara and there raised it again. Ten minutes after we struck to the enemy. Captain Perry made all sail with the Niagara which hitherto had kept out of the action and in 15 minutes passed in among the B. squadron, having Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Prevost on the starboard side & the Hunter on the larboard side and silenced them all ten minutes before 3 they hauled down their colours. Two small vessels attempted to escape but being overhauled struck a few minutes after three. Slept but little & dressed about one-third and secured with tourniquets such as bled copiously. During the action I cut off 6 legs in the cockpit, which were nearly divided by cannonballs, most of these are numbered among the dead." In the days following the Battle of Lake Erie Parsons was busy taking care of the sick and wounded for the US. The Lawrence will be designated a hospital ship and will begin to travel back to Erie, Pennsylvania with Parsons on board. After the battle of the Thames word came that Perry was headed back to the east coast however Parsons along with several officers will have to stay in Erie for the winter. On April 15, 1814 Parsons is promoted to "full" Surgeon. This is a very important milestone in this practitioner's medical career. It could be suggested that this promotion was partially due to Perry's letter to the Secretary of Navy which stated “of Dr. Usher Parsons, surgeon's mate I cannot say too much." "In consequence of the disability of both the other surgeons doctors Hoarsely and" "Barton the whole duty of operating dressing and attending nearly 100 wounded and as many sick" "devolved entirely upon him and it must be pleasing to you, sir, to reflect that" "of the whole number only three died." Parsons witnessed the failed operation at Fort Mackinac.
Upon his arrival in Erie, Parsons will have new orders these orders will transfer him to Baltimore as the Surgeon of Perry's new 44-gun frigate being built there. The war would end however before being able to take the Jave to Sea. Parsons would not be able to use the knowledge and skills he undoubtedly gained caring for the casualties from the Battle of Lake Erie and Fort Mackinac. Parsons naval career will continue for several more years after the War of 1812. He sailed the Mediterranean with Perry and 1817 earned his MD from Harvard. During a subsequent deployment with the navy Parsons took leave and traveled Europe. To study the hospitals and medical colleges there. Parsons returned to the US in 1820 and was stationed at the marine barracks at the Charleston Navy Yard. Parsons married in 1822 and was soon offered the chair of Dartmouth College's Department of Anatomy and Surgery. Brown University Medical School will offer him the same position. Parsons will resign as commissioned the navy in 1823 thus ending his 11-year naval career. Parsons became one of the most published medical authorities of his time. He will also attend many reunions and monument dedications and events connected to anniversaries of the Battle of Lake Erie. Parsons will pass away on December 19, 1868 at the age of 80. Parsons life can be viewed as a story of perseverance while initially failing and establishing a medical practice or even receiving a commission. Parsons kept pursuing his goals and would become highly distinguished professional. As we conclude it is only fitting to hear from one of Parsons strongest supporters. "I can only say that in the event of my having another command I should consider myself particularly fortunate in having him with me as surgeon." So, until next time on Guns Across the Lakes. Huzzah.
Description
From failing to a leader in his field. Along with being the US Navy's only Surgeon's Mate to accept the surrender of an enemies fortifications. Follow Usher Parson on his journey.
Duration
11 minutes, 49 seconds
Date Created
12/09/2021
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