Biography of Alvin Satterthwaite

Alvin Satterthwait was born in Mount Holly, NJ in 1838 to Henry B. and Mary Ann (Stevenson) Satterthwaite. His father was a carpenter and farmer. When a young boy, the family moved to Crosswicks, NJ. Not liking farming, he ran away from home and turned up at his uncle’s newspaper office in Camden NJ. Rather than send him back home, Alvin was given a job of picking up the newspapers in Philadelphia and pushing them in a wheelbarrow to Camden and direct them to subscribers. At a very young age, he reached the decision to become a doctor and join the US Navy. Unfortunately, the US Navy desired “Men of large physique as its representatives in foreign ports”, and Satterthwait was of small stature.

The source of his medical education is not known, however, after completing it he moved to Pluckamin in Somerset County and opened a practice. When the war broke out he rode his horse to Princeton NJ, a long and dusty ride, to apply for a position with one of the regiments. He was the first applicant. Governor Olden instructed him to send in his references and if satisfactory he would be granted a commission. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 4th New Jersey Militia. When this three month regiment returned home, he joined the 7th NJ Volunteers and was the only officer from Burlington County, NJ. On 7/19/62 he was promoted to Surgeon of the 12th NJ Volunteers.ⁱ

William Haines was a private in the 12th NJ and published “History of Co. F., Marches and Battles of the 12th NJ Vols. In 1897. He says of Dr. Satterthwait, “He was with the regiment from the time it left Woodbury till its muster out, with the exception of a short time that he served as Brigade Surgeon. He was a bold and skillful operator, though very conservative.”

He carried a photograph of his wife, Virginia McNab, taken at “Camp of the 12th NJV near Falmouth VA, March 18, 1863. On the back is written, “Carried this with me in the Battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine Run, Morton's Ford and Grant's entire campaign in Va” March 1863. Wilderness, May 5 & 6, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Reams Station, Fort Hell, Hatchers Run, etc. 2nd Brig. 3rd Div. Maj. Gen. Cauch”.

After the war he resettled at Mariners Harbor on Staten Island, NY and continued his practice of medicine until 1872. He died in 1873 at the age of 34.

i William P. Haines, History of the Men of Co. F, Marches and Battles of the 12th New Jersey Vols. 1897. Mickleton, NJ

Submitted by: V. Josephson 08/31/2008