Reminiscences of a Southern Hospital, by Its Matron

MP3 Audio CD. Reminiscences of a Southern Hospital, by Its Matron

NUMBER ONE.

Soon after the battle of Manassas, the want of hospitals, properly organized and
arranged, began to be felt; and buildings, adapted for the purpose, were secured by
Government. Richmond, being nearest the scene of action, took the lead in this matter,
and the former hastily contrived accommodations for the sick, were soon replaced by
larger, more comfortable; and better ventilated buildings.

The expense of keeping up small hospitals had forced itself upon the attention of the
Surgeon General, who afterwards gradually incorporated them into half a dozen immense
establishments, situated around the suburbs. These were called Camp Jackson, Camp
Winder, Chimborazo Hospital, Stuart Hospital, and Howard Grove; and were arranged so
that fourteen or fifteen wards formed a division, and generally five divisions a hospital.
Each ward accommodated from thirty to forty patients, according to the immediate need
for space. Besides the sick wards, similar buildings were used fox official purposes, for in
these immense establishments every necessary trade was carried on. There was the
carpenter's, blacksmith's, apothecary's, and shoemaker's shops; the ice house, commissary
and quarter master's departments, offices for surgeons, stewards, baggage masters, and
clerks. Each division was furnished with all these, and the whole hospital presented td the
eye the appearance of a small village.