In December, 1864 James Kimball became a doctor of medicine, and the next day a surgeon in the 121st New York Volunteers, then serving in the Army of the Potomac—where he arrived in time to participate in the end of the war and be present at Lee’s surrender. His account of the final days of the war are fascinating and when, on one occasion, a little company was comparing notes upon the greatest man each had ever seen, he said quietly, “I have seen Lincoln.”

He then went on to serve with General George Armstrong Custer in the west, learned to speak Indian languages, and later served during the Spanish-American War.