Hospital Steward Chevrons

[LAreb]

Does anyone have information concerning the use of medical chevrons by confederare hospital stewards? My son does an impression of a confederate surgeon's assistant and we are researching confederate chevrons that would have been in used mid-war. I have only found Union hospital steward chevrons that are a single stripe of green with the medical symbol in the center. A review of Echoes of Glory did not help.

2nd Sgt. Mike Bazzo

[chaplain]

Re: Hospital Steward Chevrons

short answer: black (not blue) first sergeant chevrons.

There is only one source for medical chevrons that I know of. I have seen the source before, but I cannot find it now. Dr. Echols mentions it on his website, and he is usually VERY good at citing his sources, but I don't see that he has cited this one. Here's a link anyway: http://www.braceface.com/medical/Civ...y_Surgeons.htm

Somebody help me out, but my understanding is that not a lot of confederates NCOs wore chevrons. I seem to remember reading Company Aytch when Sam Watkins noted that very early in the war, NCOs ripped off their stripes because they thought it made them more of a target. Now, this may have not have been true of every army, nor may it have been true of all medical staff. But then again, we only have one source for medical chevrons anyway, so...it's hard to know the correct answer to your question. But we can take an educated guess.

My recommendation (which is open for discussion), is no chevrons. He might consider attaching the black trim to his trousers and jacket.

From my research, an asst surgeon (rank of captain) followed men into battle. They usually had one or two helpers. Is this the impression you are referring to? The surgeons (rank of major) stayed back to establish a hospital. I can PM some of my research if you'd like.

[gavery12]

Re: Hospital Steward Chevrons

There was in existence a red band with " ambulance Corp" on a white field that was worn by stretcher personnel in the confederate army. These are shown in 2 of DonTroianis works - "Confederate Ambulance Corps" and " The Diehards".

[chaplain]

Re: Hospital Steward Chevrons

I've seen one of his original paintings. It is HUGE. I saw it in the Booth Western Art Museum. If anybody lives or visits around Cartersville, GA- it's worth the stop. Don Troiani is a stickler for detail. He painted those arm bands per an original that still exists today. There is a book with a photograph, but the name escapes me. David Norton made me 2 excellent copies based on the photograph of the original.