The Surgeons of Gettysburg

The Surgeons of Gettysburg

By Joel Rubenstein, M.D.

The medical aspects of the great Civil War battle at Gettysburg are an often overlooked subject. Although countless books and articles have been written about generals, weapons, and tactics, a description of the surgeons who cared for the wounded is also an important topic.

Based on today's standards, the medical care provided by both sides appeared crude and inefficient. Yet, many lives were saved, innovations were implemented, and valuable lessons were learned during the Civil War. Surgery was performed using anesthesia such as chloroform; however, there were no antibiotics and antisepsis techniques were not widely being used or appreciated by the general medical community. Despite this, 3 out of 4 amputees actually survived and the business of prosthetics boomed after the war.. Sadly, if a man was wounded in the chest or abdomen, he had a less than 10% chance for survival.

Treating the wounded was not only humanitarian, but a logistical necessity for both Confederate and Union armies. A wounded man could not fight, and the men and resources utilized to help the wounded were a drain on an army. On the positive side, if a wounded man could be healed quickly he could return to active service.

The medical corps of both armies were fairly well organized with a large number of surgeons and men assisting as nurses, litter bearers, and ambulance drivers. Jonathan Letterman, Medical Director of the AOP (Army of the Potomac), had reorganized the Union army medical corps. Ambulance service, medical officers, and hospitals were assigned to specific brigades and divisions. Each division medical director established a field hospital in the rear of his division. Each field hospital had 3 surgeons, and 3 nonsurgical medical officers to assist. Each regiment had a medical officer plus an assistant. The Union army had about 650 medical officers and over 1,000 ambulances. The Union Eleventh Corps ambulance train consisted of 100 ambulances, 9 medical wagons, 270 men, and 260 horses. There were a variety of different types of ambulances employed. Two-wheeled Finlev and 4-wheeled Triplers were common. Sometimes, ordinary supply wagons were used, which was common in the Confederate medical corps.

The Confederate medical corps was organized in a similar fashion. There were probably about 400 Confederate medical officers in the ANV (Army of Northern Virginia). However, a lack of medical instruments, medicines, and ambulances greatly hampered the care provided.

The civilian population also played a major role in caring fat the wounded of both sides. Although many people fled or refused to help the wounded, there are many examples of civilians feeding and caring for the wounded during and after the fighting ended. Many of the wounded stayed in private homes for several weeks and received excellent care.

The effort to treat the wounded at Gettysburg was a massive undertaking that merits a closer look. However, before describing the medical care, the stage must be set. The Confederate Army of Northern VA. 85,000 strong and commanded by Robert E Lee, had marched over 200 miles from Fredericksburg , VA through the Shenandoah Valley, and into PA end of June, 1863. The Union Army of the Potomac, 100,000 strong and commanded by Joseph Hooker had also moved northward to stay between Lee's army and Washington. During this movement, Union cavalry had tried to intercept the Confederate army at the Blue Ridge Mountain passes, but were unsuccessful. General George Meade replaced Hooker on June 28, and moved his 7 corps north and west to intercept Lee.

The important roads in this area that connected Hagerstown, Frederick, Baltimore, and Harrisburg all intersected in a small town called Gettysburg. The region was a hilly, sparsely populated area consisting of forests and farms. The town of Gettysburg had a population of 2,500, mostly German descent, and worked as farmers and shop owners. They hated the Confederate soldiers and merely disliked the Union soldiers who disrupted and endangered their lives.

On July 1, both Lee and Meade tried to consolidate their forces, which had been spread out over large distances. Lee's army was separated while trying to capture supplies and seize key cities like York and Harrisburg. Meade's army was also divided, trying to protect Washington and Baltimore and to locate Lee's army.

It is interesting to note the important roads and railroads utilized by these armies. These same roads and railroads became critical for moving the wounded and supplies after the fighting began. The railroad spur that served Gettysburg was destroyed along with several bridges by the Confederate army.

The following descriptions of field hospitals and medical care are not an attempt to be comprehensive. Instead, the following events and observations are representative of the variety of difficulties and suffering experienced by the wounded men and the people who cared for them. It is sad that so many young men died or were maimed. In addition to the thousands of ordinary soldiers, hundreds of officers who led their men fell in large numbers, including many colonels and generals. Many of these officers were not regular army and included civilian leaders like lawyers, politicians, businessmen, and schoolteachers. The deaths of so may men of great potential were losses for the future felt by the people of the U. S., as they tried to recover from the terrible war.