Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20
CHAPEL OF ARMORY SQUARE HOSPITAL

racks, Oh the square bounded by I'd. 3D. East
Capitol and streets southeast, the Rush and
Martindalo barracks and other places, the
exigencies Of the times, the disposition Of the
troops as well as the general health Getermin-
ing whether they should be used for hospital
service or otherwise. Thus it was with a col
lection OF barracks on the square occupied by
the High School and other school buildings. be-
tween .. 7, 9th and 18th streets northwest
These were two-storied frames occupied some
times by troops. and known as Wiswell barracks,
and as a hospital 1T was occupied from August,
1861, to November, 1865, L. f. Morse. H. W.
Prentiss, j. I. Frsbie. W. II. Ensign. samuel
Birdsail and Brinton Stone being the surgeons
in charge.
As may be supposed, in the early part of the
war the hospital arrangements were rather
crude, but 1t was not long under military regime
before places used for purposes entirely foreign
to the physical care of the sick and wounded
were made hrSt-class aDodcs for those needing
medical or surgical attendance In cOmforta-
BILE cots arranged on the sides of the wards,
with a convenient stand and chair to each. those
requiring attention were made as comfortable
AS was possible, and while waiting for wounds
to heal or disease to leave them books and pa
pers sent by friends were enjoyed.
AMUsEMENrs FOR THE SICK.
In some of the hospitals the surgeons in
charge encouraged amuscments for such of the
patients a. were sufficiently convalcscent Anna
teur troupes of some ability for acting. singing
and dancing, &c, were formed in some of the
hospitals. At the Campbell Hospital for some
time troupe under patriotic actor named
White gave weekly entertainments. These were
attended by Senators, Representatives and
prominent government officials. One occasion
is recalled when Senator Poland. Lester Wal
lack, James +. Murdoch and Mrs. Mayo at
tended and highly complime nted the perform
ance and the actors. 1t WAS the custom to re
ceive visitors, and there were a number of mar
riages which grew out of the acquaintance
formed by some sympathetic lady Carving
fruits, flowers or reading matter to a stricken
soldier.
The church buildings used hospitals ex-
cepting IN a few instances. will be easily recog-
niZed, but the barracks have disappeared al
most entirely. On the commons near the jail
one two houses have beea built of
portions Of the frame wards of Lincoln and
Emergency Hospitals and III the vicinity OF
Washington Circle one or two buildings may be
recognized as having once formed part OF the
Circle Hospital.
GROWTH OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE.
The first hospitals established by the neces-
sity of war were, as stated, neces-
sarily rather crude in their arrange
ment and construction There was but lit
tie known of large military hospitals except
in a theoretical way. The result was that the
hospitals in the later period of the war show a
vast improvement over those occupied in the
first year of the struggle. There was, of course,
provision made for hospital tents III connection
with each regiment. At fret, when the sick
accumulated i'll regimental hospital beyond
its capacity neighboring house was usually
converted into hospital. and when those OF
many regiments congrega:ed at some depot q