3rd Annual Civil War Medicine Symposium at Gettysburg
Apr 2, 2024
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Blue & Gray Hospital Association and the Gettysburg Foundation will co-sponsor and present the 3rd Annual Civil War Medicine Symposium. The symposium will take place in the Ford Motor Company Fund Education Center at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Beginning with check-in registration at 7:45 a.m. and a welcome introduction at 8:15 a.m., the symposium offers five topics to be presented from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. An interactive session will close the event from 3:30 until 4:15 p.m.
The symposium covers numerous topics on Civil War medicine and its importance in the overall study of the American Civil War. Symposium attendees can learn about the fight that took place behind the lines—the struggle to save lives. Attendees will hear talks and presentations with a focus on details about the people who served as caregivers, the medical equipment used, trauma care, disease impacts on the health of soldiers, field relief organizations and their roles, and more.
Symposium Schedule, Topics & Presenters:
7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. | Registration & Check in (Continental breakfast provided)
8:15 - 8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Introduction
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Survival: Medical Care During the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaigns with Sarah Kay Bierle
How did Civil War medicine in theory actually perform “in the field?” This presentation uses the New Market Campaign, Lynchburg Campaign and Autumn Campaign as a lens to explore medical practices and follow common soldiers and surgeons through their experiences.
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | The Battle for Tomorrow: Civil War Surgery and Anesthesia with Francis Feyock and Richard Schroeder
What would a retired Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon and a retired Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who are also Licensed Battlefield Guides at the Gettysburg National Military have to say looking back to the medical care of 160 years ago? Explore the challenges, shortcomings and victories of the Union and Confederate Medical Staffs in the American Civil War. You might be surprised at how today’s medical care has been influenced by the events of the Civil War.
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | The United States Sanitary Commission with Betsy Estilow
More than a Fifth Wheel. At the beginning of the Civil War very few people, including President Lincoln, saw the need for a national civilian relief organization to help in the care and supply of soldiers. Despite these concerns the United States Sanitary Commission was formed in the spring of 1861 and would serve with distinction and controversy throughout the conflict. Its relief efforts during the Gettysburg campaign reflect these challenges.
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch (On your own) Convenient on-site dining options available
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. | Trauma Care in the Civil War-Part 1: The Union Perspective with Mark Quattrock
When it comes to Civil War medicine, the Civil War was the first war in American history where trauma care was introduced and used. It was also the first war in American history where basic first aid was administered on the battlefield and with it the first use of hospital knapsacks and field medical companions. The origins of trauma care go back further in time before the Civil War. In this presentation Mark will discuss:
- What was the level of care in the American wars prior to the Civil War?
- How did trauma care originate?
- The Crimean War and its impact with trauma care on the battlefield and the use of field kits.
- Discuss the parts of the Letterman System with the focus on the chain of evacuation and the field dressing station.
- Look at the medical equipment and medicines used by the US Army Medical Department at a field dressing station and how hospital knapsacks and field companions evolved.
- Discuss the knowledge assistant surgeons and hospital stewards had when it came to treating soldiers at a dressing station.
Finally, discuss what US Army Medical staff members were able to perform at a dressing station along with how wounded were sorted.
2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Break
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Grappling with Death: The Union 2nd Corps Hospital at Gettysburg with Roland Maust
The Union Second Corp hospital rolled into Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, woefully short of tents, cots, food and enough medical personnel to meet the needs of the tidal wave of wounded that was about to engulf them. The head of the ambulance corps, brand new to the job, would make a deadly mistake. Then most medical personnel would depart with the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Robert E. Lee and his retreating Army of Virginia. And yet, this hospital, which housed well over 3,000 patients, would achieve an 86.6% survival rate. What did they do, and how did they do it? Find out in “Grappling with Death: The Union 2nd Corps Hospital at Gettysburg.”
3:30 - 4:15 p.m. | Wrap Up & Conclusion
Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to interact and discuss items in a session at the end of the day.
Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available to participate in the Civil War Medicine Symposium. Reservations are required in advance by April 26, 2024. Members of the Blue & Gray Hospital Association and Friends of Gettysburg receive member rates. To make reservations, call the Gettysburg Foundation, 877-874-2478 or 717-334-2436, or visit GettysburgFoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/special-events#Symposium. RESERVATIONS CLOSED
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