Characteristics of “General Hospitals” during the Civil War?

1. They usually were not restricted to the members of a particular regiment or corps, were established in cities or towns behind the lines.
2. They usually were not restricted to the members of a particular regiment or corps, were established in cities or towns behind the lines.
3. Most general hospitals treated all types of cases although they might set aside separate wards for contagious diseases or a particular type of wound.
4. General hospitals were initially established in existing buildings such as hotels, churches, schools, courthouses, and other available structures, but later in the war pavilion wards and other similar buildings were constructed specifically for the hospitals.

These are direct quotes from Schroeder-Lein, Glenna R.. The Encyclopedia of Civil War Medicine . M.E. Sharpe. Kindle Edition. Location 3530

Top ten things to know about Nashville’s military hospital system during the Civil War

1. Nashville represented about 10-15% of the Union’s total hospital capacity.
2. Nashville hospitals served about 100,000 wounded during the Civill War.
3. During its peak, Nashville served about 14,000 men.
4. Nashville had the third largest medical school in the United States.
5. When lost to the Federals in February 1862, the Nashville hospital system represented 20-30% of the Confederate hospital capacity.
6. Nashville had an 8-10% death rate during the Civil War.
7. The Nashville hospital system was located along major rail and water routes.
8. The Nashville hospitals served as a hospital-depot-nervous-system of sorts.
9. By period standards, Nashville’s system was first-rate.
10. The Nashville hospital system had to involve in the context of a fairly hostile environment.

#3 – Ensley Buildings, SE corner of Public Square

Fort Negley Lithographs

Cowan’s description:

Both hand-colored and in original marbleized frames, one entitled South East View of Fort Negley and the other South West View of Fort Negley, printed by Gibson & Co. Cincinnati, print is 9″ x 18″, frames 106″ x 18.6″.

After its capture in 1862, Nashville was developed by Union forces into the most fortified city in North America. A series of forts ringed the city, the largest and southernmost being Fort Negley, named for U.S. Gen. James Scott Negley, provost marshal and commander of Federal forces in Nashville. The remains of Fort Negley are located on a high hill south of downtown Nashville at the confluence of Interstates 65 and 40.

Image source: Cowan’s

Nashville General Hospital #1

Image source: Cowan’s

General Hospital #1 was also known for its blind asylum and prisoner of war facility. It had 936 beds and was led by Dr. B.B. Breed. It used a converted church and the old gun factory.

Stereoview of Sherman’s trains at Nashville (Anthony)

No. 2651 (with the “1” scratched out and turned to “2”), Chattanooga Rail Road Depot, Nashville, Tenn., showing 10 locomotives under the command of Sherman’s Army in 1864.

Tennessee State Capitol Building During Late Stages of Construction, Ca 1858, by Bailey

Source: Cowan’s

Nashville and the U.S. Christian Commission in the Civil War – THQ article

Gordon, Ralph C. “Nashville and the U.S. Christian Commission in the Civil War.” Tennessee Historical Quarterly 55 (Summer 1996): 99–111.

71st Ohio surgeon’s personal list of the killed and wounded at Nashville

Source: Cowan’s

Crane, Dr. William (1832-1904). Surgeon of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Nashville, TN. December 15, 1864 – December 16, 1864.

Cowan’s description:

These documents were Dr. Crane’s personal register for the killed and wounded at the Battle of Nashville which took place on the 15th and 16th of December in 1864. The register features the soldiers names, rank and whether or not they were injured or killed.

Dr. William Crane grew up learning medicine from his father. At the onset of the Civil War, the governor of Ohio appointed him to be in charge of recruiting and taking care of the soldiers families. He was involved with the creation of the 44th and 71st O.V.I. regiments and became the lead surgeon of the 71st O.V.I. in 1861 where he stayed until 1865.

 

 

Green Southard, 121st Ohio Infantry, writes of early December 1864

December 1:“Soon after sun up we started in the direction of Nashville. Found the Block house Station deserted and troops moving in direction  of Murfresboro no telegraph wire cut Stoped a while in Mur. and then for Nashvill wich we made without anything occuring. Camped in front of a battery. Rained.”

December 2:“Put up tents after the rain was over and soon had to pull down. Went out about a mile formed in two lines and put up one line of works. Picket firing commenced and some artillery in the direction of Murfersboro but no news from there. Some rebs wer visible…”.

December 3:” Rolled out at 11 AM and stood in line till day light amidst wind and rain and I shook considerably….Fort Negley spoke a few times. No musket firing near…”

December 4:“Strengthring [sic] our works. We have very good ones….Some skirmishing and cannonading on our left and front but no sign of an attack from Hood neither do I belive he intends to do so.”

December 5:“Made a line of pickets (sharpened sticks stuck in the ground) and a line of brush work in our front twenty and fifty steps from the main line. Saw something of Gen. Steadman that I did not like. If he can manage an army he can not his own temper and he that governs his own temper so great than he that gaineth a victory.”

Source: https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/green-southard-121st-ohio-infantry-civil-war-diary-3760015