Hunter Holmes McGuire (October 11, 1835 – September 19, 1900) was an American soldier, physician, teacher, and orator. McGuire was a surgeon in the Confederate Army attached to Stonewall Jackson's command, and he continued serving with the Army of Northern Virginia after Jackson's death. He started several schools and hospitals which later became part of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. McGuire was later president of the American Medical Association. His statue sits prominently on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol. Nearby, the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center was named in his honor until 2023 when the Veterans Administration changed the name to Richmond VA Medical Center.
Biography
Youth and education
Hunter Holmes McGuire was both born and died in the family house at Braddock and Amherst Streets in Winchester, Virginia, built by his grandfather. He was born on October 11, 1835. His father, Hugh Holmes McGuire, was a prominent surgeon, and a pioneer in eye surgery. Hunter was one of seven children. He often accompanied his father, and studied medicine at the Winchester Medical College founded and run by his father, from which he graduated in 1855. His continuing medical education in Philadelphia at Jefferson Medical College was interrupted by the onset of the hostilities which led to the American Civil War. He taught briefly at Tulane University in New Orleans before joining the Confederate Army in 1861. In May 1863, Jackson was gravely wounded by friendly fire while performing a reconnaissance during the Battle of Chancellorsville. The severity of the wounds required McGuire to amputate Jackson's left arm. Jackson died of pneumonia a few days later. His last words were recorded by McGuire as: "Let us cross over the river and rest beneath the shade of the trees". The death of Jackson affected McGuire greatly. He would always remember Jackson with the deepest reverence and served as a pallbearer in Stonewall's funeral.
During the Second Battle of Winchester, which was part of Robert E. Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, McGuire served under Richard Ewell (who by this time had returned to field command). At the Battle of Gettysburg, McGuire amputated the leg of General Isaac R. Trimble after Pickett's Charge. He later served under General Jubal Early.
McGuire was captured at the Battle of Waynesboro in March 1865, but was released and rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia. He was present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Post-Civil War
After the War, McGuire contributed to the original (first) of the Geneva Conventions, which is why the Boston Medical Journal said in his obituary that he had "humanized war."
McGuire served as president of the American Medical Association. McGuire married Mary Stuart of Staunton. Her father, Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, was a U.S. Congressman and Secretary of the Interior before the Civil War. Mary was a cousin of General Jeb Stuart. She and Hunter had nine children. He lived at 5th and Grace St. in downtown Richmond, had a summer residence in Bon Air, Virginia, and a house in Henrico County. A statue of McGuire sits behind the Virginia State Capitol.
McGuire wrote the introduction of the 1901 book The Old Plantation: How We Lived in Great House and Cabin before the War, written by James Battle Avirett. He remained a pro-slavery advocate his entire life. In the introduction cited above he lamented the freeing and enfranchisement of former slaves, and lauded the supremacy of the Caucasian race.