Just Curious

[macneighill]

I was sitting here pondering, how many X Markers are American Civil War reenactors (Living Historians)? I'm not sure how many, if any, but it would be kind of cool to meet while at an event. Unfortunately, this season is coming to a close but, with the next season, maybe we'll see what events each other will be attending and, maybe meet up during the weekend?

Well, as for my impression, I portray a common Federal Assistant Surgeon. I've been in the hobby since November of 1989 and, have loved every minute of it. To put the amount of research into my impression that I do and, be able to present it to people I find most rewarding. Below is a tintype I had done during the 144th anniversary of the Battle of Corydon (Indiana). I hope to be able to experience (in the sense of researching/studying and interpreting it) some of what my GGG Grandfather may have faced as a Surgeon with the 4th Georgia Infantry, CSA.

[macwilkin]

I'm a former ACW reenactor. I used to reenact quite a bit during my undergraduate days, but I haven't attended an event since 1997. Federal Infantry was my primary impression, although I did fall in with a local Reb unit on a regular basis with some friends.

I am also a member of a Spanish-American War reenacting unit.

I still do a fair amount of living history with the US National Park Service; I am a seasonal ranger at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. One of the programs I developed was a medical program.

Regards,

Todd

[arrogcow]

Not a reenactors, but I did work on a documentary in your neck of the woods about them (actually you may have been a part it was called "Southern By The Grace Of God", and was done in 1992-4).

On a history note, a question. Do you know where in Louisville the Civil War prison camp was? My many time great grandfather was held in Louisville during the war, and then released in Cincinnati (which puzzles my parents who are trying to research this).

Adam

[Nighthawk]

I am a reenactor with these guys- www.renscots.org . I actually go for early 1700's myself- pre Culloden. I have a nice weathered MacKenzie ancient kilt (NOT the Braveheart variety.) That way, I don't have to wear a great kilt in 100f weather.

[LANCER1562]

I am an active participant with the Guild of Saint Gyles Royal Lancers here in Northern California. We recreate the Scottish Royal Court from about 1561 to 1565. God save Mary, Queen of Scots and the Isles!

[Woodsheal]

I did Civil War reenacting/living-history for nigh on 30 years, as a Federal infantryman in various units (64th NY, 137th NY, 116th PA), but switched to doing 18th century some years back (Jacobite, F&I War, Rev War)....

[macneighill]

On a history note, a question. Do you know where in Louisville the Civil War prison camp was? My many time great grandfather was held in Louisville during the war, and then released in Cincinnati (which puzzles my parents who are trying to research this).

First off, why would it puzzle your parents? Louisville's military prison camp served as a major shipping point for prisoners bound for the prison camps of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

Second, the Louisville Military Prison was originally located at the corner of Green St. and 5th St. Later on, the military moved the prison to the corner of Broadway and 10th St.

Here is a map of the city during the Civil War, with listings of military buildings and such. If you "enlarge" the map, scroll down to about the center of the map and, look just to the left of the black line that runs top to bottom of the page. There, you will find the military prison (the 2nd prison, at Broadway and 10th st.).

click here for map


Here is a report given by a U.S. Army Surgeon and Medical Inspector, on the conditions of Louisville Military Prison:

LOUISVILLE, KY., August 7, 1864.

Col. W. HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,

Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.:

COLONEL: Inclosed I have the honor to transmit report of inspection of LOUISVILLE military prison. This prison is used more especially as a transfer prison. It is situated near the depot of Nashville railroad. Sometimes it is crowded; at others, as now, almost empty. Its accommodations are sufficient for its purposes. Fund (prison) on hand end July, $917.24. several thousand dollars were expended last month in building a hospital, which is now completed. Upon being supplied with water and gas it can be used. I would recommend that the order be given for supplying the hospital with water and gas, as the building is now used by refugees, and will soon become in a very dirty condition. The hospital is in fair condition; the officer in charge, young and probably inexperienced. The management of the hospital fund was bad, and entirely contrary to regulations. I understand the present officer in charge has been relieved. I instructed him to call the attention of his successor to the error of keeping the hospital fund in its present manner. The hospital now in use in the inclosure is ample for the purposes of the camp, but as the new one has been built it had better be occupied, thus giving more room in the camp for emergencies.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. T. ALEXANDER,
Surgeon, U. S. Army.

And, his report attached to the above letter to the Commissary-General of Prisoners:

Report of a medical inspection of the camp and field of the Louisville military prison, commanded by Captain Pratt, U. S. Volunteers, made on the 6th and 7th of August, 1864, by Surg. C. T. Alexander, acting medical inspector, U. S. Army.

1. Camp, name and geographical position-Louisville military prison, Louisville, Ky. 2. Topography of surrounding country--Louisville. 3. Topography of locality, soil, drainage--city square, clay, good. 4. Water, source, supply, quality, effects--water-works, good, abundant. 5. Fuel, whence obtained, kind, supply—coal, good, abundant. 6. Local causes of disease, removal, mitigation—none. 7. Camp, previous use of ground—unoccupied. * * * 12. Barracks, construction, size, number of men to each—wooden, capacity 350, prisoners 100, including sick. 13. Barracks, heating, cleansing, ventilation—stoves, ventilation good. 14. Sinks and cesspools, construction, position, management—wooden, with proper drainage. 15. Removal of offal and rubbish, police of camp—daily, not as good as it ought to be. 16. Rations, quality, quantity, variety—good, variety limited. 17. Vegetables and pickles, kind, amount, how obtained—none issued. 18. Rations, how cooked, how inspected, messing—stoves, inspected by surgeon and commanding officer, no mess-room. 19. Clothing, condition, deficiencies—fair. 20. Men, morale, sanitary condition, personal cleanliness—good for prisoners. 21. Hospital, topography of locality, soil, drainage—same as camp. 22. Hospital buildings, number, kind, capacity—two wards, wooden, capacity 100, with office, kitchen, etc. * * * 24. Hospital warming, ventilation, lighting—stoves, ventilation good, gas. 25. Hospital water-closets and sinks—good, well managed. 26. Hospital discipline, police-fair. 27. Water, source, supply, quality, effects—city water-works. 28. Fuel, whence obtained, kind, supply—coal, good. 29. Diet, quality, quantity, and variety—good. 30. Diet, how cooked, how inspected, messing—cooking stoves, medical officers, mess-room. 31. Medical and hospital supplies, quality, condition, deficiencies—good. 32. Instruments, hospital, personal, condition, deficiencies—sufficient. 33. Commissary stores, medical comforts, condition, deficiencies—good. 34. Hospital records and accounts—properly made and kept. 35. Hospital muster and pay rolls—properly made and kept. 36. Report of sick and wounded and of operations—properly made and kept. 37. Requisitions and returns—properly made and kept. 38. Morning reports, provision returns—properly made out and kept. 39. Hospital fund, how expended, accounted for, condition--$132.67. 40. Hospital washing, how performed, how paid for—by women hired for the purpose, paid out of prison fund. 41. Surgeons, number present, absent—. 42. Assistant surgeons, acting assistants—2 present. 43. Chaplains—none. 44. Hospital stewards—private detailed temporarily as steward. 45. Cooks and nurses—7. 46. Sick, ration of, to strength of command—30 in hospital. 47. Sick, condition, cleanliness—good. 48. Sick, beds for, superficial area and air space per bed—sufficient. * * * 51. Medical and surgical treatment—fair. 52. Surgical operations, how performed—by surgeons in charge. 53. Nursing, how performed—by prisoners. 54. Diseases prevalent—diarrhea, dysentery, chronic, pneumonia. 55. Diseases of a local origin—none. * * * 57. Recoveries from diseases, wounds, rapid or tardy—rapid. 58. Mortality from diseases, wounds, per cent to sick—two-thirds per cent for July. 59. Vaccination—not practiced. 60. Interments, how conducted and recorded—by undertaker, properly recorded.

C. T. ALEXANDER,
Surgeon, U. S. Army, and Medical Inspector.

[macneighill]

I still do a fair amount of living history with the US National Park Service; I am a seasonal ranger at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. One of the programs I developed was a medical program.

Todd,
ACW battlefield medicine was all new to me in 2005. In about a year, I had developed a program for Fort Duffield in West Point, KY. However, mostly what I do now is, travel to historical sites/battlefields, group lectures, etc.

I first "got into" the hobby in 1989, portraying a Confederate Infantryman. In 2005, I found out that my GGG Grandfather served as a Confederate Surgeon with the 4th Georgia Infantry. So I thought, it would be interesting to study that aspect of the War and, try to grasp what he may have faced as a Surgeon.

Although, it is an expensive hobby (as you know). There is one capital surgical kit that I REALLY want but, the wife laughed when I talked to her about it. My response was: "its only $18,000 . . what's wrong with that, its just money". Of course, she didn't find it as amusing as myself :mrgreen:. Now mind you, that was an original kit. There is a reproduction for about $1,900. And yes, she laughed at that also .

Although, 90% of what I do in my impression is because of her. She has encouraged me to pursue my passion of teaching history, more specifically . . battlefield medicine of the American Civil War.

We should chat some time, about ACW medical stuff .

[PiobBear]

I used to; first with the Palmetto Light Artillery of South Carolina (2 South Bend 3" ordinance rifles), then with the Stephens Light Artillery of Georgia (a bronze Ames 1864 12 lb. Napoleon and an old unmarked bronze (almost brass) 1841 12 lb. howitzer (it'd quite literally ring like a bell when fired); both on South Bend carriages. We represented a Confederate light artillery unit during the Battle of Atlanta in the spring and summer of 1864.
Fired live ammunition, and once, on a movie set, deployed the gun the proper way, with a team of horses.

If it doesn't require at least a pound and a half of gunpowder to fire it, it's hardly worth the trouble of firing it at all.

[Riverkilt]

Never participated in formal reenactments, but did buy a LOT of stuff from Grand Illusions before they retired. Liked to garb up like a cavalryman off post and wander Home Depot as if gathering supplies for the post. When the young boys would stare at me I'd go over to them and whisper in their ear, "Son, don't ever, ever, ever join the Army." Cracked their parents up.

Today, I find the shell jackets and greatcoat are fine accessories with my kilts.

Ron