Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Wheeling Hospital
Treating Union and Confederate Soldiers
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 3, 2026
1. Wheeling Hospital Marker
As the summer campaigns in Virginia taxed existing hospitals, sick and wounded soldiers were sent farther from the front to receive care. Leased to the government as a U.S. Army Post Hospital in April 1864, by early July Wheeling Hospital cared for more than 200 sick and wounded soldiers and Confederate prisoners of war. Beds filled, and tents spilled onto the grounds around you. All six Sisters of St. Joseph gave up their beds and slept on the floor.
In November 1864, the hospital was converted to a U.S. Army General Hospital to care for those requiring more protracted treatment. In July 1865, the government vacated the building, returning the hospital to the Sisters' care.
"We had to keep more of them in tents in the yard than inside the hospital.... Officers and soldiers in blue or gray, or simply diseased, starving people, they were all the same to us."
—SisterIgnatius Farley, Wheeling News Register, April 19, 1931
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[Sidebar:]
Medical Superintendent
Local physician Dr. John Frissell was appointed by Gov. Francis H. Pierpont as medical superintendent of the military pensioners and soldiers stationed at Wheeling. Frissell later served as chief surgeon of Wheeling Hospital and was the first president of the West Virginia Medical Society.
[Caption:]
Wheeling Hospital enlarged the former Michael Sweeney mansion with several additions after the Civil War. The hospital was razed in 1929. - Courtesy Wheeling Hospital Archives
Erected by West Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1864.
Location. 40° 4.962′ N, 80° 43.559′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Goshen Vw St, Wheeling
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 3, 2026
2. Wheeling Hospital Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle and in the High Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Civil War Nurses (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Wheeling Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Women's Aid Societies (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Wood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); McColloch’s Leap (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mingo (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Commercial Coal Mine (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hugh E. McConkey (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Wheeling Hospital (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
