For
several years the National Park Service presented the "Walk of the
Wounded" along with other living history events to portray the situations
and environment experienced by soldiers and civilians after a major battle.
In this unit, members of the Frederick Ladies' Relief Society portray
nurses, soldiers, surgeons, a General's operations staff, and Sanitary
Commission workers. Also the PA 111th presented a field hospital near
Culp's Hill on a location that contained somewhat similar operations.
This unit also contains two musical performances that took place during
the 1999 Gettysburg Field Music Muster held on the steps of the soon to
be destroyed Cyclorama Center.
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1.
Entering Camp-
the 111th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry presents a U.S. Army field hospital
near Spangler's Spring that would have been a site chosen for its access
to water. Visitors looking for loved ones
would have to check in with the Sergeant at Arms to enter the camp. (1:46)
2.
"Year
of Jubilo"
is
an example of a Southern Plantation song. This is a performance by music
educators forming the band 5th Corps Music, performed on the Cyclorama
steps in 1999. (1:28)
3.
Ward
for the Wounded- the 111th PA presents wounded soldiers and field
hospital staff near Spangler's Spring in 1999. Field hospital conditions
initially, especially immediately after any major battle, were quite primitive.
(1:55)
4.
Orderly- field hospital staff often cared
for the wounded of both armies. (5:05)
5.
Stretcher-bearers-
a patient is transported to the surgical tent for examination.
(3:30)
6.
Surgeon- A U.S. Army
surgeon describes his role. Surgeons were among the true heroes, often
times operating in abysmal conditions for days at a time without a break.
The work was often traumatic. (1:23)
7.
Fatality- Even if a
soldier survived an initial wound, quite often gangrene and other infections
would set in because of unsanitary conditions. The concept of germs was
still a mystery. (5:05)
8.
Meade's Headquarters-
Male members of the Frederick Ladies' Relief Society present an organizational
meeting of Gen. George Meade's general staff as they attempt to deal with
the aftereffects of battle. A casualty count is presented. This
presentation was provided on the location of one of Gen. Meade's early
headquarters prior to the Confederate bombardment on the third day of
the battle. The Confederate artillery barrage prior to Picket's charge
overshot the Union lines and landed all around Meade and his headquarters.
During a lunchtime mess service for Meade's staff, the barrage became
so intense behind the Union lines that a member of Meade's mess staff
was cut in half by a canon ball as he was serving butter. Meade moved
his HQ further south to avoid the shelling. (2:47)
9.
The Letterman System-
U.S. Army Chief Surgeon Jonathan Letterman's system of care and logistical
support for the care of the dead and wounded after a battle improved over
time and application. Civil War battles were fought with new weapons that
had catastrophic effects upon the human body. Massive casualty rates were
the result. The cleanup of the battlefield dead and wounded was a daunting
undertaking with life and death consequences. (1:06)
10.
Logistical Support-
presents an engineer's view of the battlefield cleanup and care for the
wounded. (1:34)
11.
Field Hospital conditions-
Junior officers present their study of conditions within the many far
flung field hospitals across the battlefield. (1:20)
12.
An Engineer's Report-
presents the issues of delivering supplies of food and medicine to the
many field hospitals. A massive army creates massive problems of mobility.
Immediately after the battle, the Union forces could not be sure that
Gen. Lee would not attack again. After all, the Union Army was still the
emotional impact of a catastrophic battle that they weren't sure they
had won and the history of having consistently lost in most major encounters.
The roadways were clogged with soldiers, wagons, and bodies of horses,
mules, men, and equipment. Trains supplying the needs of the army at times
did not operate on the same gauge tracks, making it impossible for a straight
through run to desperate locations. (3:25)
13.
The United States Sanitary
Commission- formed early in the war to educate health care providers
and the public on the need for clean water, and sanitary conditions, this
organization provided much of the early medicine and food to a battered
Union Army. (1:58)
14.
The Strings
of Credere perform a medley during the 1999 Gettysburg Field Music
Muster. (5:03)
15.
Disease- Frederick
Ladies' Relief Society member Susan Walls describes the impact disease
and infection had on soldiers. During the Civil War period the American
demographic began to shift from a predominantly rural population to an
urban one. Still, the population was not exposed to the many diseases
that would plague the army as it brought so many diverse people into close
contact with each other. Also, the overall community was quite ignorant
regarding the existence of germs, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms
that produce illness. More soldiers died of disease and infection than
died from swords, miniballs, or canon shot. (1:14)
16.
A Change
in Field Command- FLRS president Pat James describes the Confederate
moral and the removal of Gen. Joseph Hooker and his replacement with Gen.
George Meade just prior to the Gettysburg battle. (1:12)
17.
Adams County-
James provides and introduction to Adams County, Pennsylvania just prior
to the battle in Gettysburg. Gettysburg is the county seat of government.
(:57)
18.
Cornelia Hancock
Arrives in Gettysburg- FLRS member Sherry Porter portrays 23-year-old,
New Jersey native Cornelia Hancock, who served as a nurse. (:50)
20.
Hancock Bio-
James provides a brief bio on Hancock's life after Gettysburg.
(2:07)
21.
Field Hospital-
Members of the FLRS present a field hospital living history moment.
(3:24)
22.
Surgical Instruments-
The 1st Rhode Island Battery B presents period surgical instruments during
their July 4, 1999 living history program. (2:28)
24.
The United
States Sanitary Commission, Supplies, and Logistical Support- The
U.S. Army proved itself less than capable of providing for the needs of
its hospitals immediately after the battle. Members of the U.S. Sanitary
Commission were so aggressive in their efforts to make up for the army's
shortcomings in this area that some of its prominent members were even
trapped on Cemetery Ridge in the middle of battle on the second day at
Gettysburg. (7:35)
25.
Wounded- members of
the FLRS demonstrate a nurse inspecting a mild wound and its dressing.
(:18)
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