The Biographical Dictionary of America/Barnes, Joseph K.

​BARNES, Joseph K., surgeon, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 21, 1817. He was educated at Harvard; was graduated at the University of Penns3dvania, M.D., 1838, and practised in Philadelphia, 1833-'40. He was commissioned assistant surgeon at the U.S. military academy in 1840; served in Florida, during the Seminole war under General Harney and at Fort Jessup, La., 1842-'6, and later during the Mexican war under Generals Taylor and Scott. In 1854 he re- to West Point, where he remained until turned 1859, when he was transferred to Oregon. On the outbreak of the civil war he was summoned to Washington and placed on duty in the surgeon-general's office, remaining there for two years, when he was made medical inspector with the rank of colonel. In September, 1863, he succeeded Dr. Hammond as surgeon-general and was promoted brigadier-general. At the time of President Lincoln's assassination, General Barnes was the first physician called to his bedside, and the same evening he attended Secretary Seward and his son. He was one of the consulting physicians to President Garfield. He was a trustee of Peabody educational fund and commissioner of the Soldiers' home. The royal medical societies of London, Paris and Moscow made him an honorary member. In 1882 he was retired, and he died in Washington, D.C., March 25, 1883.