Field Hospital Surgeons, Stewards, Nurses
Medical knowledge at the beginning of the Civil War was still rather primitive. Doctors did not understand infection and were perplexed to prevent it, so there was no attempt to maintain sterility during surgery. In a time before antibiotics, minor wounds could easily become infected and perhaps fatal. While the typical soldier was at risk of injury or death in combat, he faced an even greater risk from disease. Twice as many men died of disease than of gunshot wounds in the Civil War. Dysentery, measles, small pox, cholera, pneumonia, and malaria were the soldier's greatest enemy. But as in many other technologies and professions of the time, the war drove advancements in medicine.
Our Field Hospital impression is led by Colonel Pete (Doc)
Peters, a long time and renowned Civil War medical reenactor. As a retired Fire
& Rescue professional he’s seen his share of “real world” medical
emergencies that imparts perspective to his portrayal. He heads an ensemble
with an excellent reputation for presenting an informative and entertaining
Civil War medical encampment.
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Doc Peters explains the practice of surgical amputations to a gathering of event visitors.
The ensemble’s feature impression is the military surgeon and staff talking about surgical techniques and general medical practices of the period as well as the advancements made during the war. Original medical instruments, equipment, and supplies add a dose of realism to the presentation.
Doc Peters in a scene from the Smithsonian Channel Civil War documentary The Fighting Irish Brigade.
At event hosts discretion, demonstrations range from simple “show & tell” to graphic recreations of war-time wounds and surgical operations. Sometimes the portrayals of sick and injured soldiers/civilians/prisoners are mingled into the encampment area for added visual realism.
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