Matchless Organization:
The Confederate Army Medical Department
by Guy R. Hasegawa
“Engaging the Civil War” Series
Southern Illinois University Press,
2021
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Despite the many obstacles it had to overcome—including a naval blockade, lack of a strong industrial base, and personnel unaccustomed to military life—the Richmond-based Confederate Army Medical Department developed into a robust organization that nimbly adapted to changing circumstances. In the first book to address the topic, Guy R. Hasegawa describes the organization and management of the Confederate army’s medical department. At its head was Surgeon General Samuel Preston Moore, a talented multitasker with the organizational know-how to put in place qualified medical personnel to care for sick and wounded Confederate soldiers.
Hasegawa investigates how political considerations, personalities, and, as the war progressed, the diminishing availability of human and material resources influenced decision-making in the medical department. Amazingly, the surgeon general’s office managed not only to provide care but also to offer educational opportunities to its personnel and collect medical and surgical data for future use, regardless of constant and growing difficulties.
During and after the war, the medical department of the Confederate army was consistently praised as being admirably organized and efficient. Although the department was unable to match its Union counterpart in manpower and supplies, Moore’s intelligent management enabled it to help maintain the fighting strength of the Confederate army.
Publications in this Series
Matchless Organization: Introduction
by Guy R. Hasegawa * * * In clinical prose, Guy Hasegawa recounts the from-scratch creation of the Confederate medical department, which was often challenged by insufficient resources and an inadequate number of trained medical professionals. Through the tireless work and clear vision of Surgeon General Samuel Preston Moore, the medical department rose to […]
Matchless Organization: Medical Officers in the Regular Confederate Army
by Guy R. Hasegawa * * * Medical Officers in the Regular Confederate Armya Final Rank in Regular Confed. Army and Nameb Final Rank in US Armyc Orig. Entry into US Army Comments Regarding Confed. Service Surgeon General Moore, Samuel Preston Surg., Maj. Mar. 14, 1835 Promoted from Surg. Surgeon DeLeon, David […]
Matchless Organization: Photo Gallery
by Guy R. Hasegawa * * * Photo Gallery
Matchless Organization: Nonsurgeon Employees of the Surgeon General’s Office
by Guy R. Hasegawa * * * Nonsurgeon Employees of the Surgeon General’s Office Name Approximate Time of Service Extra-Duty Men Ambold, Ernest A., Private Dec. 1863–May 1864 Arrington, A. W., Private Sept. 1863–Feb. 1864 Axson, R., Hospital Steward July 1863–Nov. 1864 Baird, Henry C., Hospital Steward Dec. 1863–July 1864 […]
