William McNeill Whistler

William McNeill Whistler
Dr. William McNeill Whistler, C.S.A.
Personal details
Born July 22, 1836
Lowell, Massachusetts
Died February 27, 1900
England
Resting place Hastings, East Sussex, England
Spouse(s) Flora King Whistler, Helen Ionides Whistler
Relations James McNeill Whistler (brother)
Anna McNeill Whistler (mother)
George Washington Whistler (father)
Alma mater University of Pennsylvania
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America Confederate States of America
Service/branch  Confederate States Army
Commands Orr's Rifles, 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment

Dr. William McNeill Whistler (July 22, 1836 - February 27, 1900) was a Confederate soldier and surgeon from Lowell, Massachusetts. His parents are George Washington Whistler and Anna McNeill Whistler. His brother is famed artist James McNeill Whistler, who painted Whistler's Mother.

Life

Whistler studied medicine and graduated from The University of Pennsylvania in 1860 and married Flora King of Virginia that same year. [1]

He served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War in Orr's Rifles, 1st South Carolina Rifle Regiment, under Colonel James Lawrence Orr. Orr's Rifles were ultimately under the command of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and served in many engagements including the Seven Days, Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill, Frayser's Farm, Cedar Mountain, Manassas Station Ops, Second Manassas, Ox Hill, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg Siege, Jerusalem Plank Road, Fussell's Mill, Second Ream's Station, Peebles' Farm, Boydton Plank Road, and Third Petersburg.

Orr's Rifles surrendered at Appomattox Court House, but Dr. Whistler made his way through enemy lines and set sail for England. He arrived in there in 1865 and delivered dispatches from the Confederacy to British allies. Whistler's mother, Anna, and brother, James, were living in England at that time. Dr. Whistler remained in London and founded a throat hospital. He served as senior physician at the London Throat Hospital and was president of the British Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Association. In April of 1877, William married Helen Ionides. Whistler did not have any children. He died on February 27, 1900, and is buried at Hastings Cemetery and Crematorium, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

References

  1. "Dr. William McNeill Whistler". findagrave.com. Retrieved December 9, 2013.

External links