National Park in Gloucester County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Medicinal Garden
Red Bank Battlefield
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 25, 2015
1. The Medicinal Garden Marker
Here was a pitiable sight. About 200 were laying on straw in two large rooms, some without arms or legs and others again with their limbs crushed like mush . . . . some floated in blood and told me that some had died for lack of something to bandage their wounds with. While I was there several men died in great agony and convulsions Nicolas Collin, a Swedish minister from Swedesboro, 1777
Following the battle, the Whitalls' home served as the field hospital for hundreds of injured Hessian soldiers. Surgeons were limited in how they could treat the injured. Amputation was common and infection expected. Doctors did not understand the importance of sanitation in surgery. Surgeons looked to nature to provide many of their treatments.
This garden contains many examples of medicinal herbs available to physicians at the time. They used lambs ear as bandages and willow bark to treat pain and fever. Ann Whitall actually refused to leave her home during the battle. While no historical documents exist, descendants of the Whitalls claim Ann treated the wounded and chastised them for their war-like ways.
Erected 2015 by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. 39° 52.161′ N, 75° 11.434′ W. Marker is in National Park, New Jersey, in Gloucester County. It is on Hessian Avenue when traveling west. The marker stands located in front of the Whitall House on the Red Bank Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Hessian Ave, National Park NJ 08063, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James and Ann Whitall House (a few steps from this marker); Ann Cooper Whitall
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 18, 2015
2. The Medicinal Garden Marker
More about this marker. The upper right of the marker contains a picture of surgeons instruments and has a caption of A soldier undergoing surgery during the war faced a very bleak outcome. Amputations, infection, and blood loss were an all-too-familiar scene following a bloody battle such as Red Bank. Below this is a photo of Lambs Ear, with the caption The Whitalls grew many herbs, which were useful for treating wounded soldiers. Lambs Ear was used as a bandage. Its astringent qualities helped slow the loss of blood and aided in healing.
Also see . . .
1. Red Bank Battlefield Park & The Whitall House. Visit South Jersey website
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 18, 2015
3. Marker on the Red Bank Battlefield
The Whitall House, which was used as a field hospital following the Battle of Red Bank, can be seen behind the marker.
2. Red Bank Battlefield. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 18, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 25, 2015
4. The Medicinal Garden
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 18, 2015
5. The Medicinal Garden
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
6. Field Hospital in the Whitall House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
7. Surgeon's tools in Field Hospital
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on August 3, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 20, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
