Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Hospital

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

1. The Hospital Marker

Inscription. US Army Assistant Surgeon General Ebenezer Swift, a Massachusetts native and veteran of the Mexican War (1840-48) served as post doctor. He was impressed with neither the fort nor Fredericksburg. In an 1850 letter to a friend, he described the hospital at Fort Martin Scott as being "well provisioned with medical supplies but made of round logs chinked with mud and clay, opened at both ends and covered with a tarpaulin." The windows had no glass, only pieces of wool blankets for coverings. When it rained, the roof leaked, and he got soaked. He referred to Fredericksburg residents as poor and enjoying none of the luxuries of life.

While post physician, Dr. Swift dealt with an array of common frontier killers including cholera, typhoid, scarlet fever, smallpox, tuberculosis, and influenza. Additionally, he treated soldiers for various wounds and injuries, digestive problems, and fevers.

Dr. Swift also tended to Indian visitors to the fort and found them to be friendly and curious about his horse and carriage. On one occasion, he succeeded in treating an Indian for pneumonia and earned a reputation among the natives as a great healer.

Image Courtesy Lee Casbeer.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 30° 14.988′ N, 98° 50.729′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 290) south of Industrial Loop. The marker is located within the Fort Martin Scott grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1587 E Main St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Laundry (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncovering the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sutler's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town and the Fort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Guardhouse (about 300 feet away); The Comanche Indians (about 300 feet away); The Braeutigam Family (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. Fort Martin Scott is a restored United States Army outpost in Fredericksburg, Texas, that was active from 1848 until 1853. It was part of a line of frontier forts established to protect travelers and settlers within Texas. This marker is somewhat weathered and difficult to read.

Also see . . . From a Former Army Base to Texas Historical Site. Fort Martin

Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

2. The Hospital Marker

Scott Organization

Between 1870 and 1959, the Braeutigam folks bought the former army installation. Johabb Wolfgang Braeutigam had moved from the Kaltenlengsfeld district of Germany, with his folks, and advanced toward Indianola in 1845. He and his significant other chose to settle in Fredericksburg with their 9 youngsters. In 1870, the Braeutigam moved into the former army base, after soldiers deserted it and utilized it as a farm. On 3rd September 1884, Johann Braeutigam was murdered in a theft involving 4 individuals who were after Biergarten’s cash box. The Braeutigam family later sold the property to Fredericksburg City.

Some of the remarkable highlights of the former army base include: the quarters for the post commander which previously acted as the Braeutigam garden, 6 structures of troops’ houses, sutler’s warehouse and store, pastry kitchen with a stove, laundry, emergency military clinic, 3 sets of battalions for enlisted troops, quartermaster’s warehouse, a blacksmith store, and shed-fused stable. The watch house is presently the station’s only surviving structure after it was restored to mirror its underlying design of
Photographed by James Hulse, June 9, 2024

3. The view of the Hospital Marker
cut limestone, during the beginning of the 1900s.

(Submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.