We tend to take the term lightly-field hospital. It is a commonly used term in this day in age, and a phrase that everyone has heard often and can associate with. We all know what a field hospital is, and what purpose it has. But the field hospital at Shiloh was different, because it was the first of its type.

The field hospital at Shiloh was the brainchild of Dr. Bernard John Dowling Irwin. Dr. Irwin was assigned to the staff of William “Bull” Nelson, who was commanding the fourth division of the Army of the Ohio. His revolutionary thinking saved many lives at the battle of Shiloh and allowed him and his staff to provide a level of care that was unmatched for that time period.

Although the term “field hospital” had been used in the past, the field hospital at Shiloh was unique because Dr. Irwin used resources that were readily available to him from an abandoned army camp. These resources included tents, and such the term field hospital was coined. “Field hospitals” of the past usually only consisted of straw, for bedding, along with a tarp or two that would cover the wounded soldier. Dr. Irwin’s hospital also differentiated itself from previous “field hospitals” because location was taken into account. He picked the location of the field hospital at Shiloh because there was a spring creek, with fresh potable water nearby, as well as a building that was in close proximity. The field hospital was also closer to the line of attack, and also was more mobile. This was a major advantage, and prevented wounded soldiers from having to be transferred to the nearest “hospital”. The transporting of the solider could cause more damage to a wounded soldier, then being wounded, and Dr. Irwin recognized this.

When I was standing at the field hospital I tried to imagine the carnage that would have had to gone on there. I realize, that at this point in time, the care these men were receiving was second to none, but to imagine surgeries taking place here in the midst of this huge battle just baffles me. The primitive tools that were used is also incredible, and I just have a hard time grasping, and even coming close to imagining, what it must’ve been like.

The park service is trying to grow trees inside the area where the field hospital once was, and I honestly have no idea why that is the case. The area, as you can tell from the pictures, is still fenced off to give you a general idea of where the hospital once was, but I’m not sure the reason behind the tree planting.

To imagine so many wounded men coming and going from this place is unbelievable to me. The amount of bloodshed that occurred here, along with the ingenuity that was used, is awesome and humbling at the same time. Dr. Irwin saved many a man’s life that day with his ingenuity and creativity, and his way of handling the wounded on the battlefield continued for many years to come.

The field hospital at Shiloh. A truly great piece of invention, and at the same time, a truly dark place.

Note: Another little interesting tidbit about the field hospital at Shiloh. Clara Barton also manned the hospital here, and helped many wounded men to get back on their feet again. You all might know her as the woman who eventually went on to organize the American Red Cross.

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