Bowman Bigelow BREED (1832-1873) and M. L. Herr, compiler. Statistics of Gunshot Wounds, and Other Surgical Cases. Hospital No. 1., Nashville, Tenn. [Nashville, TN], [spring 1864-1865].

6 pages plus coversheet, 4to, 7 ¾ x 9 ¾ in. Partly printed document completed in manuscript, four brads and string bound.

A fascinating record of war-time hospitals in Nashville and the nature of wounds received by soldiers. The booklet arranges gunshot wounds received by soldiers based on their location, with each section having further subdivisions based on more specific locations and severity. The last two pages reserve space for recording sword wounds, bayonet wounds, miscellaneous wounds, amputations, and resections (partial amputations). Within each category the compiler noted the number of patients cured, transferred (convalescent), and those who died. Though the date is unrecorded, it is possible that many of these wounds recorded are from the Battle of Nashville which occurred 15-16 December 1864, during Breed's tenure as the hospital director.

Bowman Bigelow Breed, a graduate of Massachusetts Medical College of Harvard, enlisted on 17 April 1861 as the surgeon of the 8th Massachusetts Infantry. After his original 3-month enlistment he mustered out with the regiment on 1 August 1861 at Boston. He then re-enlisted on 4 October 1862 and was commissioned a surgeon in the US Volunteers Medical Service where he gained a reputation for improving and organizing Union hospitals. He began in Washington D.C., before moving to New Bern, North Carolina, then to Missouri in December 1863. He was transferred further to Gratiot Street Military Prison Hospital in St. Louis in February 1864, before his final transfer to Nashville, Tennessee's Hospital No. 1 in the spring of 1864. Nashville Hospital No. 1, often referred to as Nashville General Hospital, was located in a former church and a former gun factory and had 936 beds. He mustered out at the war's end on 5 August 1865 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel by brevet on the 15th. After the war, he resumed his private practice and was an active member in G.A.R. post #5 (General Frederick West Lander) in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Condition: Excellent and crisp, with original folds, upper brad separated from later pages.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Medical History, Manuscripts, Letters, Documents, Ephemera, Battle of Nashville]