US Army Surgeon General. The son of Vermont Congressman Portus Baxter, he graduated from the University of Vermont, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1859 and his medical degree in 1860. He practiced in New York City until volunteering for military service at the outbreak of the Civil War. In June 1861 Baxter was commissioned Lieutenant and Surgeon of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. In 1862 he was promoted to Major and assigned as Surgeon of his brigade. Later that year he took charge of Campbell General Hospital in Washington and by the end of 1862 was assigned as Chief Medical Officer of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, an assignment in which he remained until the end of the war. In 1865 he received the brevet rank of Colonel in recognition of his meritorious service. Baxter remained in the Army after the Civil War, with most of his duty at the Medical Department at the Army's Washington headquarters. Baxter maintained an extensive medical practice, and his patients included senators, congressmen and other government officials. He also commenced legal studies in his spare time, receiving his law degree from Columbian University. In 1890 Baxter was appointed Surgeon General of the Army with the rank of Brigadier General. He suffered a stroke only a few months after his promotion, and died at his home before being able to implement many of his proposed reforms of the Medical Department.
US Army Surgeon General. The son of Vermont Congressman Portus Baxter, he graduated from the University of Vermont, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1859 and his medical degree in 1860. He practiced in New York City until volunteering for military service at the outbreak of the Civil War. In June 1861 Baxter was commissioned Lieutenant and Surgeon of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. In 1862 he was promoted to Major and assigned as Surgeon of his brigade. Later that year he took charge of Campbell General Hospital in Washington and by the end of 1862 was assigned as Chief Medical Officer of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau, an assignment in which he remained until the end of the war. In 1865 he received the brevet rank of Colonel in recognition of his meritorious service. Baxter remained in the Army after the Civil War, with most of his duty at the Medical Department at the Army's Washington headquarters. Baxter maintained an extensive medical practice, and his patients included senators, congressmen and other government officials. He also commenced legal studies in his spare time, receiving his law degree from Columbian University. In 1890 Baxter was appointed Surgeon General of the Army with the rank of Brigadier General. He suffered a stroke only a few months after his promotion, and died at his home before being able to implement many of his proposed reforms of the Medical Department.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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