1 Reply Latest reply on Jul 29, 2020 7:27 AM by Jason Atkinson

    Seeking Confederate hospital records for hospitals in Richmond

    Robert Lookabill Newbie
    Robert Lookabill Jul 25, 2020 10:07 PM

      A Confederate convalescent hospital was established at Elllwood Manor in Spotsylvania County, Virginia after the Battle of Chancellorsville on about 8 May 1863. There were at least 132 patients. Those patients were transported to general hospitals in Richmond as their health improved. All patients were probably transferred to other hospitals by mid-August of 1863. I am trying to locate patient records in Richmond hospitals that might have received those patients for further treatment. In his book Southerns at Rest, Chris L. Ferguson states that he used "various Richmond hospital ledgers that survived the war." Do those hospital records reside in the National Archives?

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        • Re: Seeking Confederate hospital records for hospitals in Richmond
          Jason Atkinson Ranger
          Jason Atkinson Expert Jul 29, 2020 7:27 AM (in response to Robert Lookabill)

          Dear Mr. Lookabill,

           

          Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

           

          We searched the National Archives Catalog and located a series titled Record Books of Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Offices of the Confederate Government in the War Department Collection of Confederate Records (Record Group 109) that includes records of Confederate hospitals in Richmond, Virginia. Some of these records have been digitized and may be viewed online using the Catalog. We also located Confederate Medical Records of General Hospital #4, General Hospital #21, and Chimborazo Hospital at Richmond and Confederate Medical Records that includes receipts, invoices, and requisitions for medicines and other hospital stores; returns of medical property; morning reports; reports of sick and wounded; returns of medical officers; accounts; and some correspondence. Both series are in Record Group 109. For access to these non- digitized records, please contact the National Archives at Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDTI) via email at archives1reference@nara.gov.

           

          Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT1. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

           

          We suggest that you also contact the Library of Virginia. The Library of Virginia's collections include a variety of different types of records that pertain to those who were involved with the Confederacy’s medical system, including the papers of surgeons and other medical personnel, hospital registers, personal papers of soldiers who were hospitalized or of their family and friends, and unit records that include medical information on individual soldiers. See their Civil War Medicine research guide. 

           

          Finally, Civil War Richmond and the American Civil War Museum in the Richmond area may be able to assist you with your research.

           

          We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!