Plantation Home Transformed into Civil War Field Hospital

The Pringle family experienced more of the Civil War than they bargained for when the plantation home they rented transformed into a Confederate field hospital in July of 1861. 

Grandfather Thomas, father Andrew and son Andrew, Jr. Pringle took refuge in a small bedroom upstairs in their home as wounded and dying Confederate soldiers blocked the entryway, hallways and rooms on the first floor. 

For a month the Pringles were subjected to the sights, sounds and smells of men in agony.

Just hours after the first Battle of Bull Run on the rainy night of July 21, 1861 countless wounded Confederate soldiers jammed into the Pringle’s home, while others lay helpless and bleeding on the grounds. 

Surgeons and medical attendants performed surgery after surgery that night and countless more in the following weeks.  They constructed a surgical area in the dining room, converting the dining room table into a surgical table. Kitchen knives were used as scapals; towels, linens and curtains were torn into dressings for wounds and straw scattered over the floor was arranged into beds for recovering soldiers. 

Amputated limbs and dirty bandages thrown out open windows piled up outside the house.   

Local civilians and relatives of wounded soldiers visited the hospital and helped any way they could.  Those with medical experience assisted surgeons; others brought food and made clothing for the soldiers.  A reverend from Shepherdstown travelled 70 miles to visit the wounded and boarded with other out-of-town civilians in an upstairs bedroom across from the Pringles' room.

The third upstairs bedroom was designated as the disease room.  Many Confederate soldiers were susceptible to disease because they had not been exposed to infections or diseases prior to the war. 

These patients were treated using techniques such as bleeding even though it was known to cause more harm than good.  Later in the war, Confederate surgeons began using new and innovative medical practices to treat wounded soldiers. 

Unlike the Union, the Confederacy had not yet established a “protocol” for the medical profession. 

“This is one of the times the Southern side was open to new ideas of dealing with soldiers on the battlefield,” exhibit curator Rob Orrison said. 

Orrison learned many historical truths regarding Ben Lomand’s field hospital through journals written by wounded soldiers, who provided firsthand accounts of what occurred there 150 years ago. 

After a few years of fundraising and six months of preparation the hospital exhibit was complete and opened Saturday, May 21.  The grand re-opening event celebrated by 300 participants and kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication speeches by county officials.

Re-enactors of the 49^th Virginia Infantry Regiment set up camp on the plantation grounds and informed visitors of military and civilian life in the 1860’s.  Captain Tony Meadows and his wife Georgia Meadows founded the regiment 20 years ago.  Their website www.49thVirginiainfantry.com provides additional information as well as volunteer opportunities. 

The plantation’s slave quarters built in the early 1830’s is one of few original slave homes still standing today. 

Volunteer Emmanuel Dabney educated visitors on the role of slaves during the Civil War.  Ben Lomond Plantation will offer informational tours on slavery the second Sunday of every other month from June to December 2011.

Contact the Ben Lomond Historic Site at 703-367-7872 for additional information on upcoming events and activities.