John Shaw Billings Papers, in the Adjutant General's Office Records (RG 94) in the National Archives

Within the files of the AGO's office there is much of interest concerning John Shaw Billings, Army physician and librarian. Among the records found there are Billings's initial application to join the Army Medical Corps, letters of recommendation on his behalf, and a test essay on epilepsia; copies of his reports from throughout his career; orders; his commissions, including his commission in 1894 as Deputy Surgeon General; and correspondence and petitions written to the White House and the Secretary of War in support of Billings for the post of Surgeon General.

The material is divided into four series drawn from three different attempts at filming the file. The first series on the film consists of Billings' file in the records of the Appointment, Commission, and Personal Division of the A.G.O. Here is found the correspondence relating to the efforts to have him appointed Surgeon General as well as some orders. The second series consists of his personal file (here identified as his "Surgeon's File"). Both of these were filmed in 1968. The third series consists of Billings's "Medical Officers' File." This was filmed in 1959, and was, for the most part, identical to the "Surgeon's File." Several items found on the 1959 film, including summary histories of Billings' military career, were not found on the 1958 film, and so have been included here. The duplicated material has been discarded. The fourth series consists of printed Special Orders relating to Billings pulled from the Special Orders series.

The Archives made no effort to organize or arrange the material before filming. Frequently clearly misfiled material is filed out of order; often the material is filmed in reverse chronological order. While the attached reel listing gives a rough idea of the contents of each reel, researchers are warned that it is not perfect.