Information about Howard's Grove Hospital in Richmond, VA during
the Civil War.
The Grove was originally a popular Richmond picnic-recreation area. It was taken
over by the Confederacy at the outbreak of the War as a drill and bivouac point
for the first incoming troops to arrive in Richmond. Converted into a hospital
area by the construction of buildings for ward and utility purposes and opened
in June 1862. Occupied area now confined by the City streets of Mechanicsville
Turnpike in the east, Coalter street in the west, Redd Street on the north, and
Q Street (extended) on the south; and having an extension east of Mechanicsville
Turnpike to 19th Street with T Street on the north and Fairmount
Avenue on the south. An annex was located between 21st and 23rd
Streets, T Street, and the ally south of Fairmount Avenue. Having a capacity of
659 in December of 1862. It was quickly expanded to over 1800. Employees
averaged 85. A portion was set aside for the isolation of smallpox cases, both
military and local civilians. It had its own laundry, bakery, storehouses, water
supply, recreational facilities. Total of 62 buildings. Partially subsidized by
the City of Richmond. Surgeons-in-chief (in order of their service): Dr. James
Bolton, Dr. T. P. Temple, Dr. P. M. Palmer. Continued as Union Small pox
Hospital after the City’s occupation. Named for the family (Howard) that
originally owned the property. (From Confederate Military Hospitals in
Richmond by Robert W. Waitt, Jr., Official Publication #22 Richmond Civil
War Centennial committee, Richmond, Virginia 1964.) An undated Richmond City Directory from the Civil War years asserts that
Alabama soldiers were assigned to the First Division of Howard's Grove, and
Mississippi soldiers to the Second Division.
2/25/1862; Wind storm: slate blown off steeple of Broad Street M. E. Church,
also adjacent scaffolding; 100 yards of Petersburg RR bridge track and
flooring blown into the river; 50 old pines at Howard’s Grove fall – smash
into half dozen houses formerly used by 57 VA; tin roof at Greanor’s Factory
(future Castle Thunder), 18th St., blown off.
7/1/1862; list of
patients at Moore Hospital, Ligon Hospital, Second Georgia Hospital, Third
Georgia Hospital, Howard’s Grove, & Fourth Georgia Hospital
7/28/1862; Surg.
C. D. Rice, formerly of Central Depot Hospital, now at Howard’s Grove. He is
now accepting claims against Central Depot Hospital for hire of negroes
9/27/1862;
Stephen H. Townes, Hospital Steward at Howard’s Grove, thanks Halifax and
Pittsylvania citizens by name. Assistant Surgeon S. Angle is authorized
purchaser of supplies for Howard’s Grove
12/13/1862; Dr.
Carrington, CSA, in charge smallpox hospital, corner 25th & Cary, addresses
city council – valuable details on his Hospital & Howard’s Grove
1/28/1864; patients from General
Hospital #1 and Howard's Grove are to be sent to Chimborazo; rescinds the
order closing down unoccupied Divisions of Chimborazo
2/24/1864; lamentation that the
Confederate Government will not give the Alms House back to the city. Notes
that "Chimborazo, Camp Winder, Howard’s Grove, etc., afford ample room for
all the sick and wounded soldiers brought to this military department" and
if they fill up, there are many other places to put the patients
4/4/1864; man in the city jail fakes
small pox in order to be taken to Howard's Grove, thinking it would be
easier to escape from there, but is found out and taken back to jail
5/8/1864; note to GH#9 stating that
Howard's Grove Hospital has been opened - men from Alabama, Mississippi,
Florida, Texas and Arkansas will be sent there. Officer wards are at
Howard's Grove in addition to those at the Officers Hospital, to be used at
the discretion of the officer
5/13/1864; describes Richmond during the Battle
of Drewry's Bluff - notes on the admission procedures for the wounded and
gives numbers admitted; notes on the hospitals for various states
5/17/1864; while men are manning the
defenses, Howard's Grove, Jackson, Winder, and the Receiving Hospital
(Seabrook's) need ladies or servants to serve as nurses
5/26/1864; praise of Chimborazo,
Winder, Jackson and Howard’s Grove Hospitals, and states that there is ample
space in those hospitals to accommodate any contingency; criticizes an
unnamed hospital for lack of attention to patients
6/1/1864; tents have been sent to the four
large hospitals and will be used as convalescent wards - Gen. Lee desires
that all those able to do so be returned to their commands
6/28/1864; Surgeons at Chimborazo, Winder,
Jackson, and Howard's Grove will not turn in any funds in order that they
might be transferred to new hospitals or others less fortunate
7/28/1864; capacities of major hospitals
(Stuart, Louisiana, Howard's Grove, Jackson, Winder, Chimborazo) in Richmond
are decreased by returning space allotment to 800 cubic feet per patient
11/25/1864; note to GH#9 that
General Hospital #4 has been discontinued by the Sec. of War. All arriving
officers will be sent to Stuart Hospital, and all Mississippians will be
sent to Howards Grove
Roe, Alfred S., 1907 regimental history detailing the experience of guards
at Libby after the city's surrender. Details the escape of Dick Turner, and
barracks at Howard's Grove
In the National Archives:
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 414). 2 in.
Letters Sent; Register of Furloughs, Transfers,
and Discharges; and Morning Reports. 1862-65. 1 vol.Copies of
letters sent, 1862; a list of patients transferred, furloughed, and
discharged, showing patient's name, rank, organization, and date of
action, 1862-63; morning reports of patients and attendants, 1862-65;
and daily statistical reports concerning patients in the hospital, 1862.
The contents of the volume are arranged in the order described.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 429). 1 in.
Letters Sent and Orders Issued, Inventories
of Supplies, and Morning Reports of Attendants. 1863-65. 1 vol.
Copies of letters sent and extracts of orders issued by various officials at
the hospital; monthly and weekly reports of supplies on hand in Division No.
2; and daily reports of the number of attendants present for duty in
Division No. 2 of the hospital. The contents of the volume are arranged as
described.
Record Group 109,
(ch. VI, vol. 376 ½ ). 2 in.
Orders, Letters, and Circulars Received.
1864-65. 1 vol.Copies of orders, letters, and circulars received
from the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, all in Richmond, and from
a few other officers. Arranged chronologically; a list of the documents
showing date, subject matter, by whom issued, and page number is in the
front of the volume.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 430). ½ in.
Endorsements on Communications Received.
1863-65. 1 vol.Show name, rank, and organization of writer, date and
subject matter of communication, and endorsements thereon. Entries are
arranged chronologically by date of endorsement.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 192-194, 200).
6 in.
Registers of Patients. 1862-65. 4 vols.
Show patient's number, name, rank, and organization; disposition of case;
and sometimes disease, and ward and bed number. Entries in volume 192 are
arranged by ward and thereunder numerically; those in volumes 193 and 200,
by State to which the patient's organization belonged and thereunder
numerically; and those in volume 194, numerically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 245). 1 in.
Lists of Patients Admitted, 1863-65. 1 vol.Shows patient's name, rank, and organization; ward and bed number;
diagnosis, in a few instances; and date of admittance. Names are listed by
date of admittance. The volume also contains a list of patients transferred
to Division No. 2 of the hospital.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 201). 1 in.
List of Patients. 1864. 1 vol.Shows
patient's number, name, and organization. Names are listed by State to which
the patient's organization belonged.
Record Group 109,
(ch. VI, vol. 219). ½ in.
List of Patients. 1863-64. 1 vol.
Show patient's name, rank, and organization and date of admittance. The
information shown is duplicated in the registers described 3 entries above.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 478). ½ in.
Reports on Amputation Cases. 1862. 1 vol.Show patient's name, rank, organization, age, and civilian occupation;
nature of wound and operation performed; and progress of case. The reports
are unarranged; an index is in the front of the volume.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 433). 2 in.
Invoices of Supplies, Record of Orders
Received, and Record of Discharges, Transfers, Furloughs, and Details.
1862-64. 1 vol.This volume contains a record of requisitions for
supplies, showing date, articles, and quantity requisitioned; a record of
orders received, showing date, source from which received, and time
received; and lists of patients furloughed, transferred, discharged, and
detailed. The contents of the volume are arranged by type of material as
described.
Record Group 109,
(ch. VI, vol. 205). 1 in.
Prescription Book and Register of Patients.
1864-65. 1 vol.The prescription entries, which show daily medicines
prescribed and occasionally a name, are followed by the register, which
shows patient's number, his residence, disease, disposition of case, and
remarks. Register entries are arranged numerically by patient's number. The
volume has the notation "Ward P" on the flyleaf.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 342). ½ in.
Rosters of Employees. 1862-64. 1 vol.
This volume contains lists of medical officers, with dates of commission,
and lists of clerks, stewards, druggists, wardmasters, laundresses, cooks,
and nurses. The lists are arranged by type, as described.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 355). ½ in.
Requisition for Supplies and Lists of
Employees. 1862-63. 1 vol.
This volume contains requisitions for
hospital supplies, fuel, clothing, and medicines, showing articles and
quantity needed; lists of attendants, showing date employed, name, rank, and
organization, capacity in which employed, county and congressional district
of residence, and monthly salary: and some morning reports, accounts, and
notations as to transfers, furloughs, and discharges. The contents of the
volume are arranged by type of material.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 585). 1 in.
Clothing Accounts. 1863-64. 1 vol.
This volume shows date; patient's name, rank, and organization; and value of
clothing issued. Entries are arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 133). 2 in.
Account Book. 1864-65. 1 vol.
Shows funds
received and from what source received, articles purchased, and their
cost. Entries are arranged chronologically, sometimes by week and
sometimes by month.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 225). 1 in.
Baggage Register. 1864-65. 1 vol.
Shows date; patient's number, name, rank, and organization; number of
knapsacks, haversacks, blankets, canteens, tent flies, oil cloths, satchels,
valises, arms, accoutrements, and caps in his possession; and remarks.
Entries are arranged by ward (A-Q) and thereunder by date.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 725). ¼ in.
Baggage Register. 1863-64. 1 vol.
Shows ward (A-F only); date; patient's name, rank, and organization; items
of equipment and quantity of each item; remarks; and date of delivery.
Entries are arranged by ward and thereunder by date.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 351, 379, 564,
593). 4 in.
Prescription Books. 1862-63. 4 vols.
Show date; patient's name, ward, and bed number; and medicines to be given
each day. Entries are arranged chronologically within each volume.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 343, 344, 378
½ ). 3 in.
Record Books. 1862-64. 3 vols.
Contain lists of attendants; a register of patients' baggage; morning
reports; lists of patients returned to duty and deserted; accounts with
surgeons and employees; linen accounts with servants; accounts of clothing
and equipment with patients; and inventories of supplies. Volume 344
includes a register of patients in Division No. 1 of the hospital, 1863. The
contents of the volumes are arranged by type of material.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 411). ½ in.
Letters, Orders, and Circulars Issued and
Received, Divisions No. 1 and 2. 1862-63. 1 vol.Copies of letters,
orders, and circulars issued by officials of the hospital and by the
Adjutant and Inspector General's Department, the Department of Richmond, and
the Medical Director's Office, in Richmond. Arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 195, 196,
198). 2 in.
Register of Patients, Divisions No. 1-3.
1862-64. 3 vols.Shows patient's number, name, rank, and
organization; ward designation, and bed and division number; disease; date
admitted; disposition of case; and remarks. Entries in volumes 195 and 196
are arranged numerically; those in volume 198 in general by ward and
thereunder numerically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 432). 1 in.
Record of Medical Examining Board, Divisions
No. 1-3. 1864-65. 1 vol.
Contains a record of patients furloughed; a
return of Medical Examining Board property; monthly reports of the
examination of detailed men; certificates of medical examinations; reports
of examinations for retirement; a record of patients discharged; and a list
of commissioned officers recommended for furlough. The contents of the
volume are arranged by type of material as described.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 713). 2 in.
Morning Reports of Patients and Attendants,
Divisions No. 1-3. 1862-65. 1 vol.
Daily reports showing number of
patients in hospital, in private quarters, received, returned to duty,
transferred, furloughed, discharged, deserted, died, and remaining in
hospital; the number of medical officers and attendants present for duty;
and remarks. Arranged chronologically and thereunder by State of patient's
organization.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 191). 1 in.
Record of Employees and Accounts, Divisions
No. 1-3. 1861-65. 1 vol.
Contains a list of medical officers showing
name, rank, date of commission, date reported for duty, and remarks; a list
of detailed men showing name, rank, organization, date of detail, date
reported for duty, duty to which assigned, and remarks; and accounts
current. The contents of the volume are arranged by type of material as
described.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 470). 1 in.
Requisitions for Hospital Supplies,
Laborers, and Funds, Divisions No. 1-3. 1862-65. 1 vol.Copies of
requisitions for medicines, clothing, linen, fuel, hospital furniture,
laborers, and funds, showing date, articles wanted and quantity of each, and
sometimes supplies on hand. Arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 202). 1 in.
Register of Patients, Division No. 1.
1863-64. 1 vol.Shows patient's number, name, rank, and organization;
ward designation and bed number; disease; date of admittance; disposition of
case; and remarks. Entries are arranged numerically by patient's number. The
information is duplicated in volume 196 (described 5 entries above).
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 199). 1 in.
Lists of Patients, Division No. 1. 1863-65.
1 vol.This volume shows patient's name, rank, organization, and ward
designation and bed number. The lists are arranged by State to which the
patient's organization belonged.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 239). ¼ in.
Lists of Patients, Division No. 1. 1864-65.
1 vol.This volume shows patient's name, rank, and organization, and
disposition of case. The lists are headed "memoranda" followed by the date
(generally weekly).
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 428). ½ in.
Case Book of Wounded, Division No. 1.
1863-64. 1 vol. Shows patient's name, rank, organization, and
civilian occupation; nature of wound; date of wound; method of treatment;
date of treatment; and result. Entries are arranged by date of wound; a name
index is in the front of the volume. There are also a few pages of lists of
hospital attendants and a tabular summary of diseases.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 238). 1 in.
Record of Delivery of Equipment to Patients
Leaving Division No. 1. 1863-64. 1 vol.
Shows patient's name, rank,
and organization; the number of knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, cloaks,
arms, and accoutrements issued him; and remarks. Entries are arranged by
ward and thereunder by date.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 475, 477, 479,
597). 3 in.
Prescription Books, Wards B, I, and O of
Division No. 1. 1863-65. 4 vols.
Show date, patient's name, and
medicines to be given. Entries are arranged by ward and thereunder by date.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 471). 1 in.
Requisitions for and Invoices of Medical and
Hospital Supplies, Division No. 1. 1864-65. 1 vol.Copies of
requisitions showing articles, quantity on hand, and quantity wanted;
and invoices of supplies issued to the hospital, showing articles and
quantity. Arranged chronologically within each group.
Record Group 109,
(ch. VI, vols. 197, 203, 345). 3 in.
Record Books, Division No. 1. 1864-65. 3 vols.Contain lists of patients and attendants, morning reports, inventories
of supplies in the various wards, a register of effects of deceased
soldiers, a duty roster of employees, accounts of attendants, and cash
accounts of deceased soldiers. The contents of the volume are arranged
as described.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 347). 1 in.
Prescription Book, Ward H of Division No. 1.
1864-65. 1 vol.Shows a number (no name) and daily medicines to
be administered. Entries are arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 356). 1 in.
Prescription Book, Ward M of Division No. 1.
1864. 1 vol. Shows patient's surname and daily medicines to be
administered. Entries are arranged by date.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 134). 1 in.
Letters Sent and Orders and Circulars
Received, Division No. 2. 1864-65. 1 vol.
Copies of orders and
circulars received from the Adjutant and Inspector General's Department, the
Surgeon General's Office, and the Medical Director's Office in Richmond and
from the officer in charge of Howard's Grove General Hospital; and copies of
letters and directives sent by the Surgeon-in-Charge of Division No. 2.
Arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 204). 1 in.
Register of Patients, Division No. 2.
1862-65. 1 vol.Shows patient's number, name, rank, organization, and
complaint; disposition of case; and remarks. Entries are arranged
numerically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 431, 431 1/2).
1 in.
Register of Surgical Case Reports, Division No. 2.
1863-65. 2 vols.Shows date of report; patient's name, age, rank,
organization, and civilian occupation; nature of wound; date of wound;
nature and date of operation; previous state of health; and results of
operation. Entries are arranged by date of report; the volumes have name
indexes.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 342 1/2, 354).
1 in.
Morning Reports of Patients and Attendants,
Division No. 2. 1863-65. 2 vols.
Daily reports showing number of
patients in hospital, in private quarters, received, returned to duty,
furloughed, transferred, discharged, deserted, died, and remaining; the
number of medical officers and attendants present for duty; and remarks.
Arranged chronologically. Volume 354 also contains a partial register of
patients which duplicates some of the register entries in volume 196
(described earlier).
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 426). 1 in.
Clothing Accounts, Division No. 2. 1864-65.
1 vol.This volume contains lists of clothing issued to wards, to
private quarters, and to Negro attendants, and of clothing sent to the
laundry. The lists are arranged by type as mentioned.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 190. 1 in.
Passport Register, Division No. 2. 1864-65.
1 vol.Shows name, rank, and organization of person to whom passport
was issued, destination to which issued, date, and remarks (furloughed,
transferred, or discharged). Entries are arranged chronologically.
Record Group 109,
(ch. VI, vol. 427). 1 in.
Baggage Register, Division No. 2. 1864-65 1
vol.Shows date of patient's admittance to hospital; patient's name,
rank, and organization; and items of clothing and equipment delivered.
Entries are arranged by ward and thereunder by date. The volume also
contains an inventory and appraisal of clothing of deceased soldiers.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 206). 1 in.
Baggage Register, Division No. 2. 1864-65. 1
vol.Shows date; patient's name, rank, and organization; and number
of knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, blankets, overcoats, quilts, and oil
cloths in patient's possession. Arranged by ward and thereunder by date. The
volume also contains some lists of employees.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vols. 346, 348-350,
352, 353, 473, 474, 476). 7 in.
Prescription Books, Wards A, F, G, H, K, L,
and N of Division No. 2. 1864. 9 vols. Show patient's name, rank, and
organization and daily medicine to be administered. Entries are arranged by
ward and thereunder chronologically.
Record Group 109, (ch. VI, vol. 472). 1 in.
Prescription Book, Division No. 2. 1864. 1
vol.Shows date, patient's surname, and medicines to be given.
Entries are arranged by date. The volume has a notation by The Adjutant
General's Office, "Ward C (or P)."
