1783 - Surgeon General’s War Report ~ Barnabas Binney’s Unusual Discovery

 A letter to my esteemed colleagues in the practice of medicine with the intent to acquaint you to Dr. Barnabas Binney’s unusual discovery.  By way of introduction, Dr. Binney has been one of the many talented men serving as a physician in the Continental Army.  He was born in Boston in 1751 and attended Brown University, graduating at the top of his class in 1774.  He was valedictorian of his class and his address, “The Necessity of the Freedom of Worship” was enthusiastically received by his professors.  Mister Binney then moved to Philadelphia and studied medicine under the esteemed Dr. Benjamin Rush to become “Dr. Binney.”  Dr. Binney, aged to 26 years, served as hospital surgeon at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78 despite having his own health challenges. 

While an Army Surgeon in 1783, he was working at a hospital in Philadelphia when he was asked to examine a soldier who had arrived with a fever and significant illness.  The soldier’s name was Robert Shirtliff.  While examining Robert, Dr. Binney made the surprising discovery that he was actually a woman named Deborah Sampson in male disguise.  As soldier “Robert,” Deborah had fought honorably and undetected alongside the men in her company.  Dr. Binney wrote a letter to her commanding officer General John Patterson to explain his findings and make a plea for her wellbeing.  General Patterson gave “Robert Shirtliff” an honorable discharge.

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Dr. Binney married Mary Woodrow in 1777 and the painting in the above miniature is attributed to her.  After the war, Dr. Binney assumed a medical practice in Philadelphia, but his health was weakened by his service during the war.  He worsened in 1787 and traveled to Berkeley Springs, Virginia (now Bath, WV) hoping the warm waters of the springs would heal him.  He died in June of 1787 on his way back to Philadelphia.

Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas_Binney