Smallpox Epidemic Marker

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Scotland in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Smallpox Epidemic

By Don Morfe, March 11, 2012

1. Smallpox Epidemic Marker

Inscription. Near this location during the Civil War was the smallpox hospital where thousands of people were quarantined.

Highly contagious, horrible to behold and often fatal, smallpox was a dreaded disease. When the scourge hit the prison camp, officials built this second hospital to isolate victims. Whether you were Union, Confederate or civilian, you were quarantined here.

Surgeons, hospital stewards and nursing sisters from the Daughters of Charity cared for the smallpox patients so well that some survivors preferred the hospital to the prison camp. But many did not survive. Some 1200 people died from smallpox and were buried in a separate cemetery, isolated even in death.

An Advantage of Isolation
Isolation in the smallpox hospital could have unexpected benefits. Located on the far edge of camp, the hospital was poorly guarded because soldiers, fearful of disease, kept their distance. The small pox hospital became a point of escape for Confederate prisoners of war.

Dr. E.S. Bronson, a surgeon from the 2nd New Hampshire regiment, was one of the trained military doctors who provided care at the small pox hospital. Asst. Surgeon Sylvanius Bunton of the 2nd New Hampshire Volunteers was the senior medical officer when the smallpox epidemic broke out.

Location.

By Don Morfe, March 11, 2012

2. Smallpox Epidemic Marker

38° 2.562′ N, 76° 19.29′ W. Marker is in Scotland, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker is on Maryland Route 5. Click for map. The marker is located on the grounds of the Point Lookout State Park. Marker is in this post office area: Scotland MD 20687, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Death at Point Lookout (here, next to this marker); A Seaside Resort at Point Lookout (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); A Place of History (about 400 feet away); "Contraband" Camp (about 500 feet away); Point Lookout-Hammond Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Wilkes Booth (approx. 0.2 miles away); Point Lookout State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Crucial Point (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Scotland.

By Don Morfe, March 11, 2012

3. Smallpox Epidemic Marker

Credits. This page originally submitted on October 14, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. This page has been viewed 98 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Md 21234. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.