American Civil War Medical & Surgical Antiques

(A Private Collection - Research and Identification Project)

Civil War Era Surgical Sets, Surgeon's Swords & Images

Civil War Surgeon Education & Civil War Medicine Text-books

Established 1995      .   .   .     Dr. Michael Echols

As seen in: Military Images Magazine, American's Civil War Magazine, Warman's Civil War Collectibles, Antique Week, Northeast Antiques, Civil War Army Swords, Civil War Times Illustrated, various TV programs, Antiques & Collecting publications

3a. Below

Very rare (thought to be unpublished) stereo view of the interior of "McClellan Hospital  Ward 18".  This image appears to show approximately 25 patients with one attendant.  The very large ward is extensively decorated in a patriotic theme, perhaps indicating the 4th of July holiday?  There are 4 large pot belly stoves for heating, and the beds are covered with embroidered quilts/blankets.  McClellan hospital was located in Philadelphia at Germantown Rd. and Cayuga Streets.  This 400 bed hospital was constructed during the war to treat Pennsylvania casualties and Dr. Lewis Taylor was the Surgeon in charge.  The executive officer was Acting Assistant Surgeon J. P. Murphy, with Capt T. C. Kendall of the Invalid Corps serving as the Assistant executive officer.  Assistant Surgeons Isaac Morris, Levi Curtis, H. C. Primrose, W. L. Wells, H. B. Buehler, and Richard A. Cleeman also served on the hospital staff.  Image by M. S. Hagaman,  Arch St., Philadelphia. 

3b  Below

Stereoview of 'Hospital Scene at Fortress' Monroe, Virginia.  This view shows the Surgeon  (Rufus Gilbert) and Assistant Surgeon (B. Ellis Martin) of the 5th N.Y. Zouves (Duryee's) whilst supposedly performing an arm amputation.  A fez wearing assistant is holding the bandaged offending arm taunt whilst the operating Surgeon feels for the brachial pulse with knife poised at the ready.   The pulse should have been occluded by the Asst Surgeon's tightening of the screw tourniquet, who is also holding the bow amputating bone saw at the ready. 

Note an ether mask is held just to the left of the patient's mouth and in front of the Assistant Surgeons face.  Even though this may be posed, the patient's eyes appear to be in a glazed open position as if under the effects of inhalation anesthesia. 

Note the many medical bottles on the table and especially note the open capital operating set, very similar to a Hernstein set pictured on this web site.  This operating room is in the front part of a tent, using very well the natural sunlight.  There appears to be something in the drip basin.   Photographed by George Stacy, presumably in the summer of 1861 at Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Va., and possibly related to the aftermath of the Battle of Big Bethel, Va., in which the 5th N.Y. suffered casualties.

3c Below

 

Stereoview of the Staff of the 5th New York (Duryee's Zouves).  This is the companion view to the amputation stereoview above.  This photograph depicts officers at the Segar House near Hampton, Virginia.  It bears the notation on the reverse:  "Duryee and Staff, Fortress Monroe, No. 623,   39"

 

From right to left;  Surgeon (Major) Rufus Gilbert (the operating surgeon in the amputation view);  Col. Abram Duryee (commanding the 5th New York, and very soon to be promoted as commander of the Brigade);  Adjutant J. E. Hamblin;  Chaplain Gordon Winslow (seated at the table with telescope and open map of ?Virginia displayed); unknown private sentry holding his M1842 bayonetted musket at 'support arms' left shoulder; Assistant Surgeon B. Ellis Martin seated on the porch, with his M1840 Medical Staff sword on his right knee/leg and he has taken off his revolver/holster from his belt with the flap opened to demonstrate the weapon;  Lt Col. Gouverneur Kemble Warren peering through a field telescope- he will soon command the 5th New York, and in the future, earn the appellation "Saviour of Gettysburg" for his decisive defense of Little Round Top, 1863, and rise to Major General; and Major J. M. Davies, leaning on the post, wearing his a M1850 Foot Officer's sword.

 

This stereoview is attributed to George Stacey (a fairly prominent New York photographer who was thought to have traveled to Virginia to take images of this New York Zouve Regiment) in May or June, 1861.  This regiment was transferred to Baltimore in early June, 1861.