Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
American Field Hospital
1781 Siege of Yorktown
— Colonial National Historical Park —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
1. American Field Hospital Marker
I attended at the hospital, amputated a man’s arm, and assisted in dressing a number of wounds.
Dr. James Thacher, October 1781
I hastened with all speed to the hospital … to procure another supply from Dr. Craik; and he desired that if the Marquis de la Fayette should be wounded, I would devote to him my first attention.
Dr. James Thacher, October 7, 1781
Dr. James Craik, chief physician and surgeon, supervised the American Field Hospital located in this area. Assisted by Drs. James Thacher and Aeneas Munson, he fought a constant battle to protect soldiers from exposure to small pox and other diseases, to secure adequate medical supplies, and to shelter the sick and wounded. Patients needing long term medical care were transported to the American Hospital in Williamsburg.
This field hospital, located in the vicinity of the Marquis de Lafayette’s headquarters, may reflect the concern Dr. Craik had for Lafayette’s welfare.
Erected by Colonial National Historical Park, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1781.
Location. 37° 12.511′ N, 76° 29.974′ W. Marker is in Yorktown
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marquis de Lafayette and His Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia Militia (approx. 0.2 miles away); Surrender Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brotherhood Preserved (approx. ¼ mile away); News of Victory (approx. 0.3 miles away); Major General Benjamin Lincoln and His Division (approx. 0.3 miles away); Surrender Field (approx. 0.3 miles away); In Solemn Step (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains a portrait of Dr. Craik. It has a caption of “Dr. James Craik and General George Washington met in 1755 during the French and Indian War, forming a life-long friendship. Dr. Craik was Washington’s primary physician and was at his bedside when he died. Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.”
The bottom of the marker features a picture of Dr. Craik treating a soldier’s leg wound. Courtesy of the National Park Service/Don Troiani.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
2. Marker on the Yorktown Battlefield
1. Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Yorktown. The Patriot Resource website. (Submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. The Battle of Yorktown 1781. A British perspective of the Battle of Yorktown from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,143 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
