THE 10 BASICS
1. KEEPING IT SIMPLE!
This is a hobby. We all make Mistakes!
Don’t worry about Politics and being Pistol whipped by Command. We all have our moments and we are there to Back you up and instruct you. First and foremost and it is a passion and is supposed to be fun!
2. We with the second corps hospital are reenactors. We are not real Doctors.
Even though some of us may be real Doctors or Medical Professionals we portray them on the field as a Hobby.
3. We portray a Field Hospital as it was, and the hierarchy is the same.
The Brigade Chief Surgeon may change from Time to Time, but the Brigade Field Hospital Director is always the same unless he steps down or is removed. This being said I must point out there is no boss It is a Friendship and collaboration of equals. The Brigade Hospital Director who was historically for this time line is Lt. Colonel Harvey Black at this time Portrayed by William J McBride. All Ideas and collaborations will go through Him and then in turn brought To Command of Brigade.
4. Any actual Doctors, EMT’s, or Nurses so on and so forth must register with the Brigade and Event staff so they know who you are. You can and should still be with us on the field but to avoid any misunderstandings in case of real emergencies we and they need to know who you are.
5. ( PIC ) PERSONEL IN CHARGE. All field Directions will be dictated by PIC personnel in charge (this may also be a Nurse in charge or any enlisted personnel even if Surgeon is present) and they must know our guidelines. Ergo if a private has been with our Hospital for a number of years and there is a new Surgeon in charge/ you better believe I want someone who knows what’s going on to be there. NO DISCRIMINATION!!!!
6. ( SIC ) SURGOEON IN CHARGE. On the Field the SIC Surgeon in charge is just that, the Surgeon in charge. And all on the Surgery decisions and Surgery reenactments and running the inner tent are made by him or her. Even superseding the Brigade Chief Surgeon, unless the Brigade Chief surgeon is surgeon in charge. (Not so confusing I hope)
7. on the Field.
You are under the command of the Stonewall Brigade. If Battlefield Commander or any of his staff or anyone outside our Brigade staff for that matter instructs you to do something. Politely inform them to see our ,( PIC ) first.
This case should not readily arise because we will have all that planned out. If there is a good reason such as a safety issue? By all means follow their Instructions. All Field Directions shall be up to the ( PIC ) Personnel in charge at their discretion.
8. All Collaborations are Equal right down to Litter carriers (on field medics and wounded carriers) everyone has a say . All will (I promise) Have and Ear to command and legitimate will be deemed Superficial or Unimportant.
9. You However as an Individual shall agree to adhere to all guidelines agreed upon and follow the ways of good relations with everyone we meet.
10. Tools and Tents.
We will try to supply tent and Tables. Since this a Collaborative organization we expect you to furnish your own Uniforms and Kits (Bandages, Surgical tools and so on).
DEFINITIONS
1. Field Hospital
Mobile Army Hospital that is away from the battle lines.
2. Hospital Director.
Surgeon who is part of the Brigade Command staff. Liaison between Command and Hospital Unit. Overall Commander of Field Hospital.
3. Chief Surgeon.
Surgeon who is in charge of all Medical Military Personnel .
4. Assistant Surgeons.
Surgeons who assist Chief Surgeon.
5. Brigade Charge Nurse.
Nurse who is in charge of all Military Sanitary and Technical.
6. Medical Steward.
Clerk and Records. Ranking NCO. In charge of Ambulance Corp. Asst PIC.
7. Orderly.
Medical Workers within the Medical Tent. And Water Bearers to wounded on field.
8. Litter Carriers.
Ambulance unit. Carries wounded from field.
9. Civilian Doctor.
Triage Doctor, Minor Wounds and Sicknesses. Also Ward Doctor.
10. Civilian Charge Nurse.
Assists Civilian Doctor.
11. ( PIC ) Personnel in charge .
During actual Battles . Person whom all Concerns during reenactment shall be brought to regarding Safety, and Regulations. Regarded as Medical Provost. Liaison between any outside authority and Medical Personnel or Command staff.
12. ( SIC ) Surgeon in Charge.
During actual Battles. SIC will direct reenactors’ action in tent. Making sure everything is period to our portrayal.
13. Mundane Personnel.
Spectators and Non Reenactors.
14. Temporary transfer.
Must be sighed by all those wishing to serve with us on a temporary condition IE Per Battle.
15. Ambulance Corps.
To be made up of Medical Steward, Two Carriers and one Orderly.
GUIDELINES
1. during actual Medical Emergency. Mundane Medical Personal will have full authority and cooperation.
2. During Battles you must listen to the Directions of you PIC before Leaving Hospital tent to take part on battlefield activities.
3. All questions and concerns presented to you by Command other than our own shall be directed to PIC. Who will make a decision or bring it to command staff.
4. Keep in Character at all times.
5. No Mundane Personnel shall be allowed in Hospital Tent during Battle. Mundane personnel may be allowed in Hospital tent before or after battle at SIC Discretion.
6. We shall address each other by Rank or Title at all times. This will set us apart from other reenactors and show our professionalism.
7. All officers will be shown due respect even if they are Union Officers. We are Southern Gentleman and Ladies and an Upper Class. Show them why !!
8. Gentlemen will show all women respect and remove your hats or tip them in respect in their presence.
9. all mundane questions will be answered in Character and with “ Yes Ma’am or No Ma’am, Yes Sir or No Sir” Please and thank you to everyone.
!0. 10 foot rule. If you’re Uniform and Dress looks authentic from 10 feet away it’s good. However please strive for authenticity.
11. Foul language will not be tolerated on battlefield, camp or in front mundane personnel .
12. during non battle times. If you are approached by any Military Personnel other than our own. And they are giving you a hard time or Problems. You will quote the following Verbatim to said Personnel.
“ Sir, I understand your concern. I will address your concerns to Our Command immediately and they shall respond to you personally. Thank You. “
If saluting is warranted do so and leave. Do not respond again.
13. If you are getting playfully taunted by others. Use your Best judgment.
PIC GUIDELINES
1. Before Battle. Confer with Event staff on any changes.
2. Know your chain of command and where they are going to be.
3. Know your Official Battlefield commanders and Introduce yourself and tell them who we are and where we are.
4. Confer with Pyrotechnics Crew. Find out where ground charges are and make a written map of charges. Keep our people Aware where they are.
5. Before Battle Visit Confederate and Union Camps and let them know where we are located.
6. Any Minor Requests by Battlefield Commanders other than our own IE. “Can you not have your Carriers go on certain parts of the Battlefield” ETC. can be made by PIC.
7. Any Major Requests Battlefield Commanders other than our own IE. Moving of Tents shall be Brought to Command Staff.
8. Any Tag Along IE . People who want to Work with us during a battle. Surgeons, Nurses, ETC. MUST READ our Guidelines and sign Temporary Transfer.
9. Do not allow any of our personnel to be harassed by anyone. You are the Buffer.
10. Keep a written report on all occurrences.
MEDICAL STEWARD
1. Keeps accurate record of all Emergency Medical Information and makes sure all Persons ( when Instructed ) are carrying a Med Tag.
2. Will Assist PIC in all Duties.
3. Will be responsible for Battlefield Directions Given to Carriers and Water Bearers. Per PIC
4. In charge of Ambulance Corp. Will Accompany Carriers and Water Bearer to wounded on field as an Aid Giver.
STRETCHER CARRIER
1. Will carry wounded to Hospital.
ORDERLY
1. Bring water to those in need on field.
2. Make sure there is plenty of water and ice for this task.
3. Help in Hospital Tent and Ward.
ELECTIONS
1, Elections for Head of the Field Hospital (President) will be held once per year on our anniversary date of May 7. Begging 2012<?
2. Head of Hospital may serve a 1 year term.
3. Head of Hospital may not serve 2 consecutive terms.
4. Elections are to Informal by Quorum by those at Event on May 7th.
5. Candidates must be a Contributing member for 1 full year before he/she can run for office.
6. Head of Hospital will choose his/her cabinet members. IE Secretary, Treasurer Etc.
7. Head of Hospital stepping down will become Head of Hospital Asst. (Vice President)
8. Being Head of Hospital will not change your military rank or anyone else’s or Command staff Rep.
9. Voting will not change with new head of Hospital. It will always remain a Democracy.
10. To keep Politics to a Minimum. If you don’t like who is voted in. Tough Noogies. Help he. /she to become better. there will be no Impeachments.
HISTORY AND RANKING OF CONFEDERATE MEDICAL DEPT.
The medical staff of the armies of the Confederacy embraced only three grades of rank, viz.: one surgeon-general with rank, emoluments, and allowances of a brigadier-general of cavalry; about one thousand surgeons with rank, allowances, and emoluments of a major of cavalry; and about two thousand assistant surgeons, with the rank of a captain of cavalry; among the latter, or possibly in addition thereto, were a number of contract surgeons or acting assistant surgeons, with the pay of a second lieutenant of infantry,
" a bill was prepared creating the offices of two assistant surgeon-generals, one to exercise authority west of the Mississippi, the other to be on duty in the surgeon-general's office; medical directors, medical inspectors, medical purveyors, all with rank of colonel. This bill passed both Houses of Congress ."
Whenever regiments and battalions were combined into brigades, the surgeon whose commission bore the oldest date became the senior surgeon of brigade, and although a member of the staff of the brigade commander, was not relieved of his regimental duties; sometimes, however, he was allowed an additional assistant surgeon, who was carried as a supernumerary on the brigade roster. To the senior surgeon of brigade, the regimental and battalion medical officers made their daily morning, weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports, and reports of killed and wounded after engagements, which by him were consolidated and forwarded to the chief surgeon of the division to which the brigade was attached; regiments and brigades acting in an independent capacity forwarded their reports to the medical director of the army or department, or to the surgeon general direct. Requisitions for regimental and battalion medical, surgical, and hospital supplies, as well as applications for furlough or leave of absence, discharge, resignation, or assignment to post duty, on account of disability, were first approved by the regimental or battalion medical officer, after giving his reasons for approval and the nature of the disability in the latter instances, and forwarded by him to the senior surgeon of brigade, and by him to the chief surgeon of division and the other ranking officers in the corps and army for their approval. Independent commands reported to the medical director of the department or army, or the surgeon-general direct. Medical purveyors nearest to the army, as promptly as possible, forwarded all needed medical, surgical and hospital supplies, on approved requisitions.
Source for the following: "The Photographic History of the Civil War" Volume IV, article by Deering J. Roberts, M.D., Surgeon, Confederate States Army
