George Cuvier Harlan (1835-1909), physician, son the naturalist Richard Harlan (1796-1843) and nephew of Josiah Harlan (1799-1871), famous for his travels in India and Afghanistan. George C. Harlan graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1858, and was then resident physician of Wills Eye Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Pennsylvania Hospital. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined the state Home Guard, but soon resigned his position to accept a Navy appointment of an acting assistant surgeon in June 1861. For three months he served with the Atlantic Blockading Squadron off the shores of the Carolinas, onboard of the screw steamer Union. In August of 1861, he resigned his commissioned to join "Harlan's Light Cavalry," an independent regiment raised by his uncle Josiah Harlan. The regiment was designated 11th Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry on Nov. 13, 1861.As the regimental surgeon, Dr. Harlan fought in Virginia and North Carolina, taking part in the Peninsular and Petersburg campaigns. On June 29, 1864 he allowed himself to be captured near Ream's Station when he voluntarily remained on the battlefield to tend to the wounded. As a prisoner, Dr. Harlan was dispatched, with his wounded, to a prison hospital in Petersburg; he was exchanged on Sept. 26, 1864. Shortly afterwards he was honorably discharged by the reason of the expiration of the term. After the war, he was professor of ophthalmology in the Philadelphia Polyclinic and author of numerous works of the subject.
From the description of Papers of George Cuvier Harlan, 1858-1909, (bulk 1861-1864) (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 85028525
