Clement Finley: Difference between revisions

Surgeon General [[Thomas Lawson (Military physician)|Lawson's]] death came unexpectedly and it was generally considered that his successor would be Surgeon Robert C. Wood, a high -ranking officer who was in charge of the office during Lawson's absence. Wood was son-in-law to former President Taylor and brother-in-law to [[Jefferson Davis]] and from his long duty in the War Department had many other influential friends. But a new political party was now in control and President [[Abraham Lincoln]] chose Finley, the senior officer of the corps, for the coveted place on May 15, 1861. Finley retained Wood as his assistant and their relations appear to have been entirely cordial.