Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hospitals in Frederick
Caring for the Wounded
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 Mountains 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.
Frederick's Courthouse Square also contains a number of Civil War stories. Follow Patrick Street west to Court Street, then turn right and travel one block north.
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list.
Location. 39° 24.836′ N, 77° 24.563′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is on East Patrick Street (State Highway 144), on the left when traveling west. Located on the west side wall of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 East Patrick Street, 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); One Vast Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Frederick (within shouting distance of this marker); Market & Patrick Streets (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Diehl Memorial Fountain (about 400 feet away); A Crossroads of American History (about 400 feet away); Civil War Hospital Center (about 400 feet away); The Original C. Burr Artz Library (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederick.
More about this marker. The marker displays a photograph of the Hessian Barracks, a portrait of Dr. Johnathan Letterman, a photograph of the interior of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a map of Frederick detailing locations used as hospitals during the war.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Hospital Sites related to the Antietam Campaign.
Also see . . . National Museum of Civil War Medicine. The museum also occupies a second site - the Pry House near the Antietam Battlefield. (Submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,222 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.