Hospitals at Shiloh

[dixie1861]

Were there any civilian homes taken over to be used as hospitals after the Battle of Shiloh? I've heard of it occurring in other instances, but never at Shiloh. But again, that doesn't have much credence -- I'm no expert.

Thanks guys!!!

 

[Ole Miss]

I don't know the number but there was a trail of private homes used as hospitals from Shiloh to Corinth and then on to many other cities in North Mississippi. Booneville, Baldwin, Tupelo, Holly Springs, Oxford, Grenada, Jackson as well as Vicksburg to mention a few.
Regards
David

 

[dixie1861]

I don't know the number but there was a trail of private homes used as hospitals from Shiloh to Corinth and then on to many other cities in North Mississippi. Booneville, Baldwin, Tupelo, Holly Springs, Oxford, Grenada, Jackson as well as Vicksburg to mention a few.
Regards
David

So did they transport most of the soldiers to Corinth and other cities? And were the private "hospitals" overseen by military doctors and the like?

I sound clueless compared to you experts! Maybe it's because I am. Thank you so much for imparting your wisdom!

 

[chucksr]

Perhaps this will answer some of your questions about medical services following the battle.

https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/cwsurgeon/cwsurgeon/shiloh

 

[lelliott19]

Were there any civilian homes taken over to be used as hospitals after the Battle of Shiloh? I've heard of it occurring in other instances, but never at Shiloh. But again, that doesn't have much credence -- I'm no expert.

Thanks guys!!!

Yes, actually. The Michie (Mickey's) House was appropriated for hospital use. Here's the link to the thread that received a lot of great feedback about the locations of the Confederate Field Hospitals near Fallen Timbers - including the Mickey/Michie house. http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photo-and-location-of-mickey-house.106189/

I believe that most of the Union wounded were treated in tent hospitals near the landing and transported to regular /general hospitals by steamer.

 

[dixie1861]

Yes, actually. The Michie (Mickey's) House was appropriated for hospital use. Here's the link to the thread that received a lot of great feedback about the locations of the Confederate Field Hospitals near Fallen Timbers - including the Mickey/Michie house. http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photo-and-location-of-mickey-house.106189/

I believe that most of the Union wounded were treated in tent hospitals near the landing and transported to regular /general hospitals by steamer.

Perhaps this will answer some of your questions about medical services following the battle.

https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/cwsurgeon/cwsurgeon/shiloh

How permanent do you think these hospitals were? Or were they just a desperate last-minute measure that lasted a few weeks?
Thanks guys, you are great. I'm sorry I have so many weird questions.

 

[Lost Cause]

So did they transport most of the soldiers to Corinth and other cities? And were the private "hospitals" overseen by military doctors and the like?

I sound clueless compared to you experts! Maybe it's because I am. Thank you so much for imparting your wisdom!

Several of the northern and some southern wounded were transported north to hospitals in Mound City and Cairo, IL. Later in 1864, the Mound City National Cemetery was opened to inter the dead from those hospitals.

 

[lelliott19]

Or were they just a desperate last-minute measure that lasted a few weeks?

The field hospital at the Michie house only operated for a few days... it was abandoned on Tuesday and the wounded - such that could be transported - taken to Corinth. Those that could not be transported fell into the hands of the enemy and were cared for by Confederate surgeons, left behind for the purpose.

"The Mickey house had been selected by Dr. Cross (my gg grandfather) as hospital head-quarters for our brigade. By his order tents had been erected for the comfort and protection of the wounded in the yard....The ground was covered with the wounded, the dead, and the dying. After dark the rain fell in torrents upon hundreds of the poor fellows. Their agonizing cries, moans, and prayers for help and water were audible above the dashing rain and rolling thunder. But in the long night-watch the rain ceased, the thunder hushed, and so had the cries of the suffering in the stillness of death. Morning came, and with it a melancholy sight - a sleeping camp. Men lay in every possible posture, with eyes closed as if in sleep on crimson beds. The rain had washed the blood from their clothes and blankets, making the earth red.

Drs. Cross, Lawrence, and Noblitt worked all night attending the different calls and operating. Neither of them had slept for more than forty-eight hours. Late Monday evening it was understood that the hospitals and wounded would be surrendered on Tuesday morning. Dr. Noblitt succeeded in securing wagons to carry sixty-five wounded and one dead (Lieut. Patterson) to Corinth."

 

[dixie1861]

Days......the hospital at the Michie House was abandoned on Tuesday and the wounded - such that could be transported - taken to Corinth.

"The Mickey house had been selected by Dr. Cross (my gg grandfather) as hospital head-quarters for our brigade. By his order tents had been erected for the comfort and protection of the wounded in the yard....The ground was covered with the wounded, the dead, and the dying. After dark the rain fell in torrents upon hundreds of the poor fellows. Their agonizing cries, moans, and prayers for help and water were audible above the dashing rain and rolling thunder. But in the long night-watch the rain ceased, the thunder hushed, and so had the cries of the suffering in the stillness of death. Morning came, and with it a melancholy sight - a sleeping camp. Men lay in every possible posture, with eyes closed as if in sleep on crimson beds. The rain had washed the blood from their clothes and blankets, making the earth red.

Drs. Cross, Lawrence, and Noblitt worked all night attending the different calls and operating. Neither of them had slept for more than forty-eight hours. Late Monday evening it was understood that the hospitals and wounded would be surrendered on Tuesday morning. Dr. Noblitt succeeded in securing wagons to carry sixty-five wounded and one dead (Lieut. Patterson) to Corinth."

Ok! That makes sense...it sounds like they did as much as they could at this house then took them to Corinth.

 

[lelliott19]

Ok! That makes sense...it sounds like they did as much as they could at this house then took them to Corinth.

Yes, those that could be transported. The ones who were grievously wounded and could not be transported, were left behind and captured. There are some great stories of surgeons of both sides caring for wounded enemy. Here are some links to a few of the stories that have been posted here that will be of interest

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/ac...-2nd-georgia-at-antietam.141382/#post-1713246
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/asst-surgeon-daniel-morse-holt-121st-new-york.121081/#post-1266925
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/caring-for-the-enemy.142695/#post-1745892
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/aid-and-comfort-to-the-opposition.120666/page-4#post-1262107
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/aid-and-comfort-to-the-opposition.120666/page-4#post-1262691

 

[dixie1861]

Thank you so much! So would the ones that were left behind be taken to Union hospitals, I suppose, as they were the victors?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Jackson as well as Vicksburg to mention a few.
Regards
David

And down the railroad all the way to the Louisiana state line, 350 miles south of Shiloh.

Most of the men buried in the Magnolia, Mississippi Confederate Cemetery were casualties of Shiloh.
In Magnolia there is a soldiers' cemetery which is enclosed and nicely kept by the Ladies' Cemetery Association. Two hundred nineteen soldiers' remains rest therein. Their names have been lost; they were from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Most of the wounded were from the battle of Shiloh. These graves are decorated with appropriate memorial exercises April 26 of each year.

- Hon. W. C. Vaught has kindly given data for the statements in this paragraph.
http://www.natchezbelle.org/ahgp-ms/conf-cem/noxubee.htm



https://www.flickr.com/photos/bamaboy1941/33256530276

 

[Ole Miss]

Dixie
You must realize that at Shiloh more men were killed than had died in all the previous battles America fought. The Confederates medical corps was simply overwhelmed by having over 8,000 badly injured casualties many of whom were mortally wounded. If you will look at a map of the railroads (see below*) in Mississippi it is easy to see how and were the men were sent for medical care. I have included an article about a Confederate Cemetery (see below^) on the University of Mississippi campus that was from the dead of the wounded sent to Ole Miss and Oxford.

Meridian and Tupelo were on the Ohio and Mobile RR while Oxford was on the MS Central RR as the railroads were desperately sending the wounded to homes and schools that had not been near any combat and might have supplies and doctors available. You will find individual graves as well larger numbers in some private cemeteries as the dead were quickly buried. Often the men were unable to tell who they were and all identification materials had been lost. Rural church cemeteries were used as well as city graveyards were used.

Remember North Mississippi had contributed several regiments to the Confederate Army and they had been supplied with most of the doctors available. Many communities had been left with elder physicians and little medical supplie

Later in the fall of 1862 the Second Battle of Corinth sent another 2,000 men into North Mississippi seeking assistance and care. This influx of wounded men was beyond all the capability of North Mississippi to handle and so many mne needlessly died for lack of attention and supplies. Sad very sad.

I hope this will help answer your questions and assist you in your studies.
Regards
David

*http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/grantshilohvicksburg/
^http://hottytoddy.com/2014/08/06/confederate-cemetery-speaks-to-compassion-of-oxford-tragedy-of-war/

 

[dixie1861]

Dixie
You must realize that at Shiloh more men were killed than had died in all the previous battles America fought. The Confederates medical corps was simply overwhelmed by having over 8,000 badly injured casualties many of whom were mortally wounded. If you will look at a map of the railroads (see below*) in Mississippi it is easy to see how and were the men were sent for medical care. I have included an article about a Confederate Cemetery (see below^) on the University of Mississippi campus that was from the dead of the wounded sent to Ole Miss and Oxford.

Meridian and Tupelo were on the Ohio and Mobile RR while Oxford was on the MS Central RR as the railroads were desperately sending the wounded to homes and schools that had not been near any combat and might have supplies and doctors available. You will find individual graves as well larger numbers in some private cemeteries as the dead were quickly buried. Often the men were unable to tell who they were and all identification materials had been lost. Rural church cemeteries were used as well as city graveyards were used.

Remember North Mississippi had contributed several regiments to the Confederate Army and they had been supplied with most of the doctors available. Many communities had been left with elder physicians and little medical supplie

Later in the fall of 1862 the Second Battle of Corinth sent another 2,000 men into North Mississippi seeking assistance and care. This influx of wounded men was beyond all the capability of North Mississippi to handle and so many mne needlessly died for lack of attention and supplies. Sad very sad.

I hope this will help answer your questions and assist you in your studies.
Regards
David

*http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/grantshilohvicksburg/
^http://hottytoddy.com/2014/08/06/confederate-cemetery-speaks-to-compassion-of-oxford-tragedy-of-war/

Thanks so much! That certainly helps a lot. I appreciate it!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Thanks so much! That certainly helps a lot. I appreciate it!

You can see we have members who know where to find organized presentations, which is tough, especially for Shiloh?

Sometimes it's helpful following regimental reports, diaries or books through those battles, since they frequently spend a lot of time speaking of hospitals. Accidentally bumped into quite a bit just tracking down what occurred when poor Governor Harvey drowned, on his trip to aid Wisconsin wounded post battle.

Oh, and LoC newspapers, maybe do a search of that year using ' Pittsburgh Landing ' and ' hospital ' or ' Shiloh '. Surprising what can be there! ( and now I'm nosy, would you mind letting us know if you find what you're looking for, please? )

 

[dixie1861]

You can see we have members who know where to find organized presentations, which is tough, especially for Shiloh?

Sometimes it's helpful following regimental reports, diaries or books through those battles, since they frequently spend a lot of time speaking of hospitals. Accidentally bumped into quite a bit just tracking down what occurred when poor Governor Harvey drowned, on his trip to aid Wisconsin wounded post battle.

Oh, and LoC newspapers, maybe do a search of that year using ' Pittsburgh Landing ' and ' hospital ' or ' Shiloh '. Surprising what can be there! ( and now I'm nosy, would you mind letting us know if you find what you're looking for, please? )

Ok, thanks! I never thought about looking in the LoC stuff...I'm pretty new to researching this kind of stuff, even though I've been interested in it for years. Haha, I'm not really looking for anything specific, just medical care and the like at Shiloh. Nothing super-specific.

 

[Mike Serpa]

The very last entry of post #3 mentions a log cabin used as a hospital. The link there is now dead.

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/shiloh-field-hospitals.18501/

 

[Ole Miss]

Here is a report regarding the establishment of the 1st Regular Tent Field Hospital from Brigadier General William "Bull" Nelson.


"Medical and Surgical History of the war of The Rebellion, vol II, part III, 1883, pg 921-922.
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/ocr/nlm:nlmuid-14121350RX6-mvpart

"From an examination of the records and reports in this "office it would appear that the first regular tent field hospital was organized during the battle of Shiloh, April, 1862 by Dr. B. J. D. Irwin, U. S. A., Medical Inspector of the 4th Division, Army of the Ohio."

"His interesting description is here given:
"During the military movements of troops during the battle of Shiloh,"Dr. Irwin says" one of the operating hospitals was moved forward to a deserted farm-house situated on an open level piece of unbroken ground. The presence of a spring of cool potable water and the nearness of the building to a branch of the creek were advantages that were promptly recognized, and but a short time elapsed ere these valuable desiderata were utilized in providing shelter and other comforts for the large number of wounded of our own division and those disabled on that part of the field in the preceding day's conflict, pertaining to both of the contending parties, left on the field without assistance some twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The proximity of this field hospital to the recaptured camp of a division of our troops defeated and made prisoners the preceding day, suggested the utilization of the abandoned tents for the benefit of the wounded; and as soon as the battle ceased the hospital tents, commissary tents, and wall tents pertaining thereto were accordingly taken possession of, and in a short space of time were removed to and pitched in regular order on the level ground by which the house was surrounded. The building afforded an operating room, dispensary, office, kitchen, and dining-room. Long into the night the ambu-lances continued to bring in the wounded, who, after receiving the necessary professional attendance, were made as comfortable as possible by being supplied with an abundance of warm food, good bedding, and shelter from the inclement weather. Next day the hospital camp was enlarged so as to accommodate some 300 patients, and the tents were systematically arranged; all bedsteads, cots, bedding, cooking and messing utensils, hay and
Surg. 111—116
922 THE MEDICAL STAFF AND MATERIA CHIRURGICA. [CHAP. XIV.

straw found in the abandoned camp were taken possession of, and on the evening of the 8th the Division Medical Purveyor reached us with our medical supplies and hospital stores. By this time the hospital had assumed the proportions and discipline of a well regulated array camp, arranged with a view to meet the special wants of those for whom it had been established. Some mattresses were secured, and the bed-sacks, filled with hay and straw, were
placed on cots, bedsteads, or improvised bunks, so that almost every patient was provided with comfortable sleeping accommodations. A suitable number of attendants of each class was detailed for duty in the establishment, which was placed under the charge of Surgeon Menzies, 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, so that the invalids were promptly and regularly supplied with abundance of properly prepared nutritious food, and even a fair supply of extra diet and delicacies were served to the inmates requiring special attention. It soon became manifest that the wounded in this improvised field hospital were better provided for and more comfortable in every way than those who were moved aboard the hospital transports. * * * In illustration of how the efforts made to ameliorate the condition
of the wounded were appreciated the following official communication was published, viz:
'"HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Field of Shiloh, April 12, 1862.
" Col. J. B. Fry,
Assistant Adjutant General, Chief of Staff.
•-'Sir: I desire to call the especial attention of the General commanding this Army to the admirable hospital accommodations adopted by Dr. Irwin, U. S. A., Medical Inspector of the Division, during the battle of the 7th inst. They will be found as nearly perfect as the circumstances would allow. The wounded in the Division did not suffer from the inclement weather; they were all promptly sheltered and cared for. I beg to recommend Dr. Irwin to the favorable con-
sideration of his superiors.
"' Very respectfully,
(Signed) "<W. NELSON,
"' Brigadier General?
'' Thus was established the first tent field hospital of any magnitude for the reception and treatment of the wounded on the field of battle. In the movements of the army following Shiloh and culminating in the siege of Corinth, Miss., the utility of large field hospitals was recognized, and soon developed into a system which became general in the combined armies engaged in the investment of that place.
* * * Further experience in the treatment
of the sick and wounded under canvas demonstrated the many great advantages possessed by such hospitals over those established in churches, houses, and other structures temporarily used as hospitals, such as the wooden and iron huts used by the allied armies in the Crimea,
or those established in large buildings, especially when not constructed in accordance with modern sanitary science. Numerous tent hospitals of much greater capacity were established and kept in successful operation during the last two years of the war, it having been satisfactorily shown that the wounded who were treated under canvas did better in every way, and recovered sooner than those treated in the large permanent hospitals."
The consideration of the construction, organization, and administration of permanent or general hospitals is deferred to the Third Medical Volume of the Medical and Surgical"
Regards
David

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

And down the railroad all the way to the Louisiana state line, 350 miles south of Shiloh.

Most of the men buried in the Magnolia, Mississippi Confederate Cemetery were casualties of Shiloh.
In Magnolia there is a soldiers' cemetery which is enclosed and nicely kept by the Ladies' Cemetery Association. Two hundred nineteen soldiers' remains rest therein. Their names have been lost; they were from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Most of the wounded were from the battle of Shiloh. These gr

aves are decorated with appropriate memorial exercises April 26 of each year.

Even this far down the rails (modern day I-55) a few of the Shiloh wounded that didn't make it . . . were first treated in a makeshift hospital that had been Magnolia, Mississippi's Central House Hotel only days before Shiloh.

 

[dixie1861]

Here is a report regarding the establishment of the 1st Regular Tent Field Hospital from Brigadier General William "Bull" Nelson.


"Medical and Surgical History of the war of The Rebellion, vol II, part III, 1883, pg 921-922.
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/ocr/nlm:nlmuid-14121350RX6-mvpart

"From an examination of the records and reports in this "office it would appear that the first regular tent field hospital was organized during the battle of Shiloh, April, 1862 by Dr. B. J. D. Irwin, U. S. A., Medical Inspector of the 4th Division, Army of the Ohio."

"His interesting description is here given:
"During the military movements of troops during the battle of Shiloh,"Dr. Irwin says" one of the operating hospitals was moved forward to a deserted farm-house situated on an open level piece of unbroken ground. The presence of a spring of cool potable water and the nearness of the building to a branch of the creek were advantages that were promptly recognized, and but a short time elapsed ere these valuable desiderata were utilized in providing shelter and other comforts for the large number of wounded of our own division and those disabled on that part of the field in the preceding day's conflict, pertaining to both of the contending parties, left on the field without assistance some twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The proximity of this field hospital to the recaptured camp of a division of our troops defeated and made prisoners the preceding day, suggested the utilization of the abandoned tents for the benefit of the wounded; and as soon as the battle ceased the hospital tents, commissary tents, and wall tents pertaining thereto were accordingly taken possession of, and in a short space of time were removed to and pitched in regular order on the level ground by which the house was surrounded. The building afforded an operating room, dispensary, office, kitchen, and dining-room. Long into the night the ambu-lances continued to bring in the wounded, who, after receiving the necessary professional attendance, were made as comfortable as possible by being supplied with an abundance of warm food, good bedding, and shelter from the inclement weather. Next day the hospital camp was enlarged so as to accommodate some 300 patients, and the tents were systematically arranged; all bedsteads, cots, bedding, cooking and messing utensils, hay and
Surg. 111—116
922 THE MEDICAL STAFF AND MATERIA CHIRURGICA. [CHAP. XIV.

straw found in the abandoned camp were taken possession of, and on the evening of the 8th the Division Medical Purveyor reached us with our medical supplies and hospital stores. By this time the hospital had assumed the proportions and discipline of a well regulated array camp, arranged with a view to meet the special wants of those for whom it had been established. Some mattresses were secured, and the bed-sacks, filled with hay and straw, were
placed on cots, bedsteads, or improvised bunks, so that almost every patient was provided with comfortable sleeping accommodations. A suitable number of attendants of each class was detailed for duty in the establishment, which was placed under the charge of Surgeon Menzies, 1st Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, so that the invalids were promptly and regularly supplied with abundance of properly prepared nutritious food, and even a fair supply of extra diet and delicacies were served to the inmates requiring special attention. It soon became manifest that the wounded in this improvised field hospital were better provided for and more comfortable in every way than those who were moved aboard the hospital transports. * * * In illustration of how the efforts made to ameliorate the condition
of the wounded were appreciated the following official communication was published, viz:
'"HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Field of Shiloh, April 12, 1862.
" Col. J. B. Fry,
Assistant Adjutant General, Chief of Staff.
•-'Sir: I desire to call the especial attention of the General commanding this Army to the admirable hospital accommodations adopted by Dr. Irwin, U. S. A., Medical Inspector of the Division, during the battle of the 7th inst. They will be found as nearly perfect as the circumstances would allow. The wounded in the Division did not suffer from the inclement weather; they were all promptly sheltered and cared for. I beg to recommend Dr. Irwin to the favorable con-
sideration of his superiors.
"' Very respectfully,
(Signed) "<W. NELSON,
"' Brigadier General?
'' Thus was established the first tent field hospital of any magnitude for the reception and treatment of the wounded on the field of battle. In the movements of the army following Shiloh and culminating in the siege of Corinth, Miss., the utility of large field hospitals was recognized, and soon developed into a system which became general in the combined armies engaged in the investment of that place.
* * * Further experience in the treatment
of the sick and wounded under canvas demonstrated the many great advantages possessed by such hospitals over those established in churches, houses, and other structures temporarily used as hospitals, such as the wooden and iron huts used by the allied armies in the Crimea,
or those established in large buildings, especially when not constructed in accordance with modern sanitary science. Numerous tent hospitals of much greater capacity were established and kept in successful operation during the last two years of the war, it having been satisfactorily shown that the wounded who were treated under canvas did better in every way, and recovered sooner than those treated in the large permanent hospitals."
The consideration of the construction, organization, and administration of permanent or general hospitals is deferred to the Third Medical Volume of the Medical and Surgical"
Regards
David

I had no idea that one of the first field hospitals was used after Shiloh. I suppose after a battle of such magnitude, people were scrambling to get the soldiers the help they needed.

Neat find! Thanks for posting.