Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Emily Cook, Student Assistant
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Stanford E. Chaillé Collection, Ms2008-031, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Stanford E. Chaillé Collection was purchased by Special Collections in 2004.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Stanford E. Chaillé took place in June 2008.
Biographical Note
Stanford E. Chaillé was born on July 9, 1830, in Natchez, Mississippi, the descendant of several patriots of the Revolutionary War. Educated by private tutors until his mother's death, Chaillé eventually graduated from Phillips' Academy in South Andover, Massachusetts, in 1847. Chaillé then received an A. B. (bachelor's degree) in 1851 from Harvard College and later earned his medical degree from the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana (now Tulane) in 1853. Chaillé later returned to Harvard College and received an A. M. (master's degree) in 1854. On February 23, 1857, Dr. Chaillé married Laura E. Montfort. The union produced one child, Mary Laura Chaillé. Laura E. Montfort died on August 18, 1858. Before the American Civil War, Dr. Chaillé worked as a resident student in the New Orleans Charity Hospital and then served as a resident physician at the United States Marine Hospital and at the Circus Street Infirmary.
During the war, Dr. Chaillé rose from being a private in the New Orleans Light Horse Brigade to acting Confederate Surgeon General of Louisiana in 1862. In May, 1862, Dr. Chaillé became the surgeon and medical inspector of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. In July of 1863, Dr. Chaillé took the post of surgeon-in-charge of the Fairground Hospital #2 in Atlanta, Georgia, then transferred to Okmulgee Hospital in Macon, Georgia in December, 1863. While in Georgia, Dr. Chaillé met, and later married, Mary Louisa Napier.
After the Civil War, Dr. Chaillé lectured and demonstrated anatomy and obstetrics in New Orleans. In 1878, Congress selected Dr. Chaillé to study the great yellow fever epidemic, and he later sat on the Havana Yellow Fever Commission. Dr. Chaillé also contributed significantly to medical literature. Among these contributions was his formulation of infant developmental standards in 1887. From 1885 until his retirement in 1908, Dr. Chaillé served as the dean of Tulane's medical school. Dr. Stanford E. Chaillé died in 1911.
Scope and Content
The Stanford E. Chaillé Collection consists of letters, government-issued documents, printed material, and two photo albums containing thirty-six photos. Those pictured in photos include: Dr. Chaillé, Laura Chaillé, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Layton M. D. P., and other friends. Materials date from shortly before the American Civil War to the decades following southern Reconstruction. Salient topics are the occupation of New Orleans by the Union during the Civil War, postwar government elections, the great yellow fever epidemic, and Dr. Chaillé's long career and accolades. Several documents relate to Dr. Chaillé's position as dean of the Tulane Medical School, such as a notable graduation speech welcoming Confederate leader Jefferson Davis. Dr. Chaillé's interest in genealogical research also appears in letters and documents. In one genealogical sketch, Dr. Chaillé traces his family tree to France where it was "very Catholic" before 1540.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by material type. Letters appear chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Civil War
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Stanford E. Chaillé Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).
Container List
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Confederate marriage license for Stanford E. Chaillé and Mary L. Napier1863
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"Biographical Sketch of Dr. Chaillé "1894
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Manuscript resume1899
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Manuscript of Chaillé lineage1899
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Letter from Mr. Legaré, FarmingtonApril 30, 1862Scope and Content
Discusses Mr. Legaré's travels through Union held New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
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Letter from "A.L.N., " New Orleans, LAMay 14, 1862Scope and Content
Advises Dr. Chaillé to return to New Orleans.
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Letter from Henry Hacksford, New Orleans, LAMay 17, 1862Scope and Content
Advises Dr. Chaillé to return to the city.
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Letter from Mary Owen Preston, LexingtonOctober 5, 1862Scope and Content
Discusses the confederate evacuation of Lexington and includes a picture of Mrs. William Preston and Caroline Preston.
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Letter from Marvin T. Myers, RichmondOctober 12, 1862Scope and Content
Discusses fight at Leesburg with Lee.
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Letter from Stanford E. Chaillé to a Mr. Barker, New Orleans, LAMarch 22, 1883Scope and Content
Requests a copy of the Medical News and apologizes for previous abruptness.
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Letter from Mr. Legaré, MobileApril 20, 1864Scope and Content
Discusses a Confederate coward.
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Letter from Henry R. Rand, Macon, GAFebruary 4, 1865Scope and Content
Mr. Rand admits to defrauding Dr. Chaillé of $744 but pleads for leniency
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Letter from General Randall L. Gibson, Washington, D.C.December 25, 1876Scope and Content
Asks Dr. Chaillé to analyze the Republican officers and returns board from a recent election. This letter apparently refers to Republican attempts to shut out former Confederate Democrats from power in Louisiana (postmarked envelope included).
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Letter from W.R. Morrison, St Charles Hotel, New Orleans, LAJuly 8, 1877Scope and Content
Informs Dr. Chaillé of when his testimony is required (for an apparent congressional hearing).
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Letter from the Honorable Alexander Randall, Annapolis, MDOctober 31, 1877Scope and Content
Informs Dr. Chaillé of the results of Alexander Randall's investigation of any person named "Peter Chaillé" in the eastern shores of Maryland.
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Letter from Stanford E. Chaillé to Colonel Charles Chaillé Long, Asheville, NCOctober 15, 1889Scope and Content
Discusses Chaillé family lineage. Includes many specific questions about the Chaillé family.
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Letter from Stanford E. Chaillé to Professor Albert B Miles, M.D., New Orleans, LA1894Scope and Content
Letter of recommendation for Dr. Warren Stowe.
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Letter from Alcée Fortier, New Orleans, LANovember 1, 1899Scope and Content
Describes the origins of the name "Chaillé." According to Alcée Fortier, Chaillé derives from the French word for flint.
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Letter from J. W. Nicholson, Baton Rouge, LAJune 11, 1903Scope and Content
Thanks Dr. Chaillé for two addresses.
In this speech, Chaillé states that there is "no heart nobler and no hands braver than those of Jefferson Davis."