Lt. Giles M. Pease, Surgeon,
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Giles Moseley Pease was a 1st Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon for the 54th Massachusetts. He was born on May 3, 1839 in Boston and mustered in as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Union Army on August 3, 1863. He resigned on May 28, 1864 for reasons on disability. He had prior service with the U.S. Navy as an Acting Assistant Surgeon beginning November, 1861. Giles Pease died December 14, 1891 in San Francisco, California.

The commentary in the regimental history states: "On the 16th [August 1863] the medical staff was increased by the arrival of Asst.-Surg. G. M. Pease."

After the battle at Olustee, while the regiment was in Jacksonville there were a number of changes in assignments and posts. The regimental history states: "During March...Assistant Surgeon Pease went North sick, and never returned." In June 1864 the regiment was back at Morris Island, SC. It was there on 18 June that Lt. Col. Hooper received Pease's resignation.

[Editor's Note: I want to thank Jerry Brown of Gaithersburg, Maryland, who is Civil War reenactor and a member of Company B, 54th Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. for providing the above information on Lt. Pease.]

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