Oscar Towne

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                                                         Oscar Henry Gordon Towne
                                                                       1874-1898


Oscar, a young man whose service to his country did not take place on a battlefield, but in a hospital ward.

Oscar served as Chief Hospital Steward with the 3rd Infantry of the National Guard at Camp Alger in Virginia. His role would have been much like that of a pharmacist, preparing medicines, assisting surgeons, and caring for sick and wounded soldiers.

This service was not accidental. Before the war, Oscar had already begun his career as a pharmacist and had medical experience. There is a few stories about him helping with surgeries and autopsies. Once he had to help amputate the thumb of Fred Urban who had it bitten so badly by a robber it couldn't be saved. 

While serving at the hospital, Oscar contracted typhoid fever, a disease that swept through military camps. He was sent home on furlough to recover, and upon arriving home, he went straight to bed. For a time, it appeared as though Oscar might recover, but at one o’clock on September 10, 1898 his heart gave out and he died.








Thumb chewed story

plaque in armory 






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