Richard French Simpson: A Legacy of Service in the U.S. Army (1816–1860)

Richard French Simpson, United States Army officer and surgeon, son of James L. Simpson and Elizabeth (Weeks) Simpson, was born at Loudoun County, Virginia, on July 20, 1816. Simpson graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a doctorate in medicine in 1840. He was commissioned in the Regular Army Medical Staff connected to an infantry regiment on August 1, 1840.

Simpson officially entered the service as an assistant surgeon on August 15, 1840. In February 1841 he was sent to Fort Clinch, Florida, and served there until April 1841. In June 1844 Simpson was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was stationed until February 1846. During the Mexican War, Simpson was en route from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe with Gen. Stephen W. Kearney’s Army of the West to occupy Santa Fe and was later commended for distinguished service under Gen. Sterling Price, brigadier general of United States Volunteers, in the capture of Chihuahua and battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales in March 1848. Simpson was mentioned in the diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin, a pioneer who traveled with her husband along the Santa Fe Trail in the wake of the marching Army of the West. In November 1846 Simpson treated her when she was ill with fever. Following the war, Simpson was attached to the Fourth United States Infantry and joined them on January 12, 1849, at Madison Barracks, New York. On June 13, 1849, Richard French Simpson married Marie Louisa Noland in Loudoun County, Virginia; he took thirty days leave from his office. Simpson was transferred on September 4, 1849, to Fort Howard at Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he served  until November 7, 1851.

Assistant Surgeon Richard French Simpson was connected to the Department of Texas from 1852 through 1854 at Fort Merrill (in present-day Live Oak County) and Fort Ewell (in present-day La Salle County). He joined Fort Merrill on March 18, 1852, from his arrival at Indianola. Soon after Fort Ewell’s founding, Simpson joined that post in May 1852 and was put on detached service through July 3, 1852, and continued to serve at both posts. Simpson left Fort Merrill for Fort Ewell in August 1852 to join Col. William W. Loring. At Fort Merrill, Charles C. Hake and Edward Allen of the Regiment of Mounted Rifles, who served as hospital attendant and hospital steward, respectively, held these positions under Simpson between 1852 and 1853. Simpson was stationed intermittently at Fort Ewell from June 25 to July 1, 1852, and then again from May to June 1853.

When Lt. Col. William G. Freeman made his inspection of Fort Ewell on June 11 and 12, 1853, he reported that the medical department was directed by Assistant Surgeon R. F. Simpson who explained that Fort Ewell had a climate of extremely dry and hot weather including little rainfall in the summer months. Simpson attributed this searing heat and lack of flowing water to the prevalent conditions of dysentery, diarrhea, and periodical fever, whereas in the winter most ailments were related to the diseases of the respiratory system. He also stated that the lack of a vegetable diet was to blame for the thirty-five cases of scurvy at Fort Ewell. Simpson was convinced that the post was “a sickly station.” Freeman reported that during his inspection there was “no hospital building at the post, but the sick men were comfortably lodged in good hospital tents, iron bedsteads and excellent bedding being provided for them.” Freeman also took notice that the sick soldiers were being attended by Assistant Surgeon Simpson and his associate Dr. Edward W. Johns. Freeman noted that in Simpson’s hospital there was a plentiful supply of medicine, and medical stores and supplies were abundant and of the best quality. Freeman further reported, “The hospital books were regularly kept, and order and neatness prevailed in every department of the establishment.”

In Simpson’s absence, on June 28, 1853, Pvt. Lorenzo Schindling of Company G, R.M.R.  was employed as hospital steward at Fort Merrill. On July 13, 1853, Simpson rejoined the garrison at Fort Merrill. Assistant Surgeon Edward W. Johns from Fort Ewell served the post in Simpson’s place during June and July 1853. Simpson was reported on sick leave in early 1854 and was relieved by Assistant Surgeon Thomas A. McParlin on January 21, 1854. Simpson returned to duty on April 4, 1854, at Key West Barracks, Florida, where he was stationed for two years before joining the garrison at Fort Myers, until he was transferred to Fort Dallas, Florida, in December 1856 and served at that duty station through August 1857. In April 1860 Simpson was transferred to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota; and on June 23, 1860, Richard French Simpson was promoted to full surgeon, carrying the rank of major. Simpson continued his service at Fort Ridgely until April 13, 1861, when he was sent to New York. Surgeon Richard French Simpson died of “delirium tremens” on July 4, 1861, at Key West Barracks, Florida. The site of his burial is not known.