Rae and Mark Davis are historians/presenters who give talks on Civil War Surgeon Jonathan Letterman, the "Father of Modern Military Medicine," known for revolutionizing battlefield care with organized ambulance corps and triage systems, a topic they've presented on at historical venues like the Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon. Their presentations highlight Letterman's innovations, such as the triage system and field hospitals, which are still relevant in modern emergency medicine.

Their Work and Expertise

• Lectures and Presentations: The Davises give presentations at various historical venues, discussing how Letterman's Civil War achievements continue to influence modern civilian emergency medicine.
• Exhibits: Their talks often feature displays of original and reproduction Civil War medical instruments, medicines, and weaponry.
• Documentary: They are currently producing a documentary film about Surgeon Letterman's life and impact.
• Background: Rae Davis has a B.A. in history and extensive experience in Civil War living history groups, while Mark Davis has a degree in Anthropology; both are long-time residents of Calaveras County, California. About Jonathan Letterman Jonathan Letterman (1824–1872) was the Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. He implemented groundbreaking changes to the medical system that saved countless lives, including: Establishing the first organized ambulance corps. Developing a functional field hospital system and a method of triage for casualties. Pioneering hygiene and diet standards to improve troop health and readiness. His system for battlefield care remains the foundation for modern military and emergency medical services. After the war, Letterman moved to San Francisco, where he served as the chief coroner. A large military hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco was later named Letterman General Hospital in his honor.

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Step into the world of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry — the famed "Harvard Regiment" — as we explore their gripping story at the Battle of Gettysburg in **Ask A Gettysburg Guide #118**.

This regiment, composed largely of Harvard-educated officers and Massachusetts volunteers, marched onto the fields of Gettysburg not knowing how decisively their courage would be tested ([https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/the-harvard-regiment/] Arriving with roughly 301 men when they went into action, the 20th Massachusetts suffered devastating losses during the battle: about 30 killed, 94 wounded, and 3 missing ([https://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/union-monuments/massachusetts/20th-massachusetts/] Their colonel, Paul Joseph Revere — grandson of the Revolutionary-era patriot Paul Revere— was mortally wounded on July 2 and died on July 4; command shifted rapidly as officers fell, passing from Revere to Lt. Col. George N. Macy (wounded), then to Capt. Henry L. Abbott. On **July 3**, during Pickett's Charge, the regiment held a critical section of Cemetery Ridge near the famed "Copse of Trees." As Confederate troops advanced toward the Union center, the 20th Massachusetts rose from their shallow rifle pits and delivered fierce, disciplined volleys that helped smash the Confederates' assault — playing a vital part in defending what many consider the turning point of the war ([https://www.nps.gov/places/20th-massachusetts-monument.html). Their steadiness under overwhelming fire, even after nearly losing their commanding officers, stands as a testament to their valor and sacrifice.

In this episode, LBG Ralph Siegel and historian Zachery Fry take you through the regiment's harrowing journey — their approach march, the brutal chaos of July 2 and 3, the loss of leadership, the feel of earth trembling under artillery, the smoke, the fear, the honor — and ultimately their role in one of the most defining clashes in American history. If you love learning about the Battle of Gettysburg, Civil War storytelling, or want to understand what these soldiers endured in their own words and through the terrain itself, this episode is not to be missed.

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#Gettysburg #CivilWarHistory #20thMassachusetts #HarvardRegiment #BattleOfGettysburg #AmericanHistory #HistoryChannel #Documentary #GettysburgHistory #MilitaryHistory #America250 --- [1]: https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/the-harvard-regiment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The \"Harvard Regiment\" | Gettysburg Battlefield Tours" [2]: https://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/union-monuments/massachusetts/20th-massachusetts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Monument to the 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment" [3]: https://www.nps.gov/places/20th-massachusetts-monument.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "20th Massachusetts Monument (U.S. National Park Service)"

🇺🇸 **The Gettysburg Address: Then, Now, and Forever** 🇺🇸

In this powerful episode of **Addressing Gettysburg**, Licensed Battlefield Guide **Bob Steenstra** joins Matt and Mikey B for an in-depth exploration of Abraham Lincoln's timeless masterpiece—the **Gettysburg Address**.

🔥 **What did Lincoln really mean in 1863?**

🔥 **Why do his 272 words still resonate today?**

🔥 **How did the weight of the war—and the death of his own son—shape the President who delivered them?**

Bob and Matt break down the brilliance of Lincoln's language, uncovering layers of meaning that speak not only to the Americans of the Civil War era but to *all of us living today*. Along the way, the crew looks beyond the battlefield to the **human cost of the war**—the soldiers who survived, the families who mourned, and a Commander-in-Chief who carried the nation's grief as he carried his own. It's an episode steeped in Gettysburg History, bringing you closer to the heart of the battlefield and the enduring power of Lincoln's words. 📜

✨ 👉 **Support Addressing Gettysburg!**

Help us continue making high-quality, independent Civil War history content: 💙 Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg**

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🔔 **Like, subscribe, and share** to help us keep the memory and meaning of Gettysburg alive. #GettysburgAddress #AbrahamLincoln #CivilWarHistory #Gettysburg #BattlefieldGuide #AmericanHistory #AddressingGettysburg #LincolnSpeech #USHistory #HistoryPodcast