Scotland in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Smallpox at Point Lookout
Point Lookout State Park
| — | Maryland Park Service | — |
Smallpox was one of the leading causes of death at Point Lookout for both prisoners and guards. Highly contagious particularly in closely confined populations, such as the prison and surrounding camps, smallpox ran rampant and almost unstoppable within the prison and guard populations.
The closeness of prison confinement soon brought the disease to epidemic proportions with its rapid spread (referred to as "crowd poisoning"). As numbers of the those afflicted began to increase beyond the means of the small "pest house," it became necessary to remove the smallpox cases from the larger prison camp. At the same time, the contagion was beginning to appear in the Union camps as well. It became necessary to consolidate both Union and Confederate cases in one central location to restrict the spread of the disease.
A larger smallpox quarantine hospital and camp were established outside the main prison to take the place of the pest house. At first, an abandoned brick house (located north of today's Lake Conoy) was used, however, this house was soon filled to overflowing with the afflicted soldiers and soon rows of tents
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Dr. Sylvanus Brunton (2nd New Hampshire Infantry) assigned as lead doctor at the prison hospital, was additionally required to administer to the newly created smallpox hospital. His staff consisted of a series of acting assistant surgeons and prison inmates as nurses. The area was separated from the lower populated portion of Point Lookout by Point Lookout Creek and heavily guarded to prevent prisoner escapes.
Under Bronton, the camp suffered from overcrowding and was soon in deplorable condition. Bruton was deemed incompetent for the position and was soon replaced by Surgeon Anthony Heger, U.S. Army, Medical Director of the District of St. Mary's, and Surgeon in charge of Hammond Hospital. The smallpox camp would remain in operation until the closing of Point Lookout in June 1865. According to U.S. Army Medical Records, out of the 466 prisoners who had contracted smallpox while imprisoned at Point Lookout 212 died.
Erected by Maryland Park Service; Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1865.
Location. 38° 3.754′ N, 76° 19.629′ W. Marker is in Scotland, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Point Lookout Road (Maryland Route 5) east of 3rd Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10928 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland MD 20687, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named A Seaside Resort at Point Lookout (approx. 0.4 miles away); Storm Blocks the Route to Freedom (approx. ¾ mile away); Camp Hoffman (approx. 0.9 miles away); Point Lookout Prisoner-of-War Camp (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Post Office at Camp Hoffman (approx. 0.9 miles away); Prisoners of War at Point Lookout (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Prison Sutler (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Armaments of Point Lookout (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scotland.
Other markers no longer nearby. A Seaside Resort at Point Lookout (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Prison Pen (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 28 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
