Lot 305

Civil War Surgeon Dr. Castanus B. Park, Conducted 48 Hrs. Non-Stop Surgeries Inc. Amputations At 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek

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Civil War Surgeon Dr. Castanus B. Park, Conducted 48 Hrs. Non-Stop Surgeries Inc. Amputations At 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek

Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $70

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Civil War
n.p., n.d.
Civil War Surgeon Dr. Castanus B. Park, Conducted 48 Hrs. Non-Stop Surgeries Inc. Amputations At 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek
Photograph

A photograph of Civil War brigade surgeon Dr. Castanus Blake Park (1834-1891), who was attached to two Vermont infantry and heavy artillery units during the Civil War. N.d., n.p. The sepia-colored albumen print affixed to its original mat shows Dr. Park in a dark blue double-breasted military uniform. Expected wear including toning and scuffs to the photo surface and mat, with isolated water stains haloing the portrait and especially found in the lower right corner. Isolated crazing to the lower right corner of the photograph. Incorrectly pencil-inscribed by a former collector verso, who has misidentified the sitter as fellow Vermont officer C.G. Gould. Else near fine. The actual size of the photograph is 6.125" x 8.125" while the overall matted size is 9.875" x 12". Provenance: Purchased by our consignor at auction; previously part of the Gould Family Estate in Vermont.

Vermonter Dr. Castanus Blake Park received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1856, practicing in Vermont and Iowa before returning to his home state to enlist during the beginning of the Civil War. Dr. Park served as a commissioned surgeon in the 16th Vermont Infantry before transferring into the 11th Vermont Heavy Artillery upon the invitation of Vermont Governor Frederick Holbrook. By all accounts, Dr. Park provided remarkably conscientious medical care for the Vermonters in his outfit until being mustered out in June 1865.

Johnson Brigham, in Vol. II of his local history "Des Moines, the Pioneer of Municipal Progress and Reform of the Middle West, Together with the History of Polk County, Iowa, the Largest, Most Populous and Most Prosperous County in the State of Iowa" (Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1911), provides a detailed biographical entry for Dr. C.B. Park on pp. 211-215. Johnson recounts how Dr. Park maintained a standard of orderly and well-disciplined medical care even during the most horrific wartime conditions. During the Battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley on October 19, 1864, for example, Brigham relates how "Dr. Park was at his table for forty-eight hours consecutively and during the campaign it was his duty to perform all the capital operations required in the brigade. The number of amputations when he performed was exceedingly large, but he traced with care the after history of each patient and in no single instance did one fail of recovery…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: matted overall: 9.875" x 12"
  • Medium: Photograph

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000