Downtown in Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hospitals in Frederick
Caring for the Wounded
In this building doctors embalmed solders who died in area hospitals following the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg and Monocacy, and prepare them for internment at nearby Mount Olivet Cemetery or for shipment home. James Whitehill, the owner of the building, was both a furniture maker and undertaker. Dr. Richard Burr, a contractor with the U.S. Army, embalmed. He gave public demonstrations of the new embalming process here on Sunday afternoons.
The Hessian Barracks at the south end of Frederick served as a U.S. general hospital throughout the entire Civil War. Following nearby battles, makeshift hospitals were established in virtually every large structure, from barns in the surrounding countryside to churches downtown. After the Battle of Antietam, some 8,000 wounded soldiers recuperated in Frederick at a time when the town's population was 8,000. Dr. Jonathan Letterman's revolutionary triage system for sorting and treating the wounded based on the severity of their wounds was first used here after the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. His system is still in use today.
The stories of the care of the wounded, both Union and Confederate, and of the countless advances in medicine developed in time of need during the Civil War are told here today in the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list.
Location. 39° 24.837′ N, 77° 24.563′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on East Patrick Street (Maryland Route 144) just west of Maxwell Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 E Patrick St, Frederick MD 21701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1862 Antietam Campaign (here, next to this marker); The Rotary Club of Frederick (here, next to this marker); One Vast Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Frederick (a few steps from this marker); Market & Patrick Streets (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Diehl Memorial Fountain (about 400 feet away); Civil War Hospital Center
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker. There are differences in inscription.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.