"New" Civil War Ambulance

[verg]

Dear Friends,

I would like to share with you some pictures of a new m1859 (2 wheel) Ambulance. It will be usually horsedrawn and going to many of the events promoted on this forum.

I would like to thank a number of people for their assistance in one form or another:

Tom Mattimore, Chris Schmacher, Jay Johnson, Pat McAllister, Ivan Ingraham, Jeff Lawson, James Brennen, ANdrew Fraize, Bill Reagan, Ron Myzie, Barry Dusel, Roger Nichols, Mike McComas, Marc Riddell, Steve Sullivan, Hank Trent, Tim Kindred, Bill Wickham, The Sheads, Elam Fisher, Chris Anders, Bobby Small, Rob and Sean Stevenson, the staff of the National Civil War Medical Museum, the National Archives, Library of Congress, John and Jodi Nolan, Ridgely Davis, Trey and Diana Manglesdorf, Jamie Sharp, my wife Diane, and for his strong encouragment to do it, Ken Mink - I wish he could have seen it. If I neglected to list someone please accept my apologies and beat me when you see me.


If you have any further interest in this aspect of the ACW, please visit our website for additional information http://www.thefieldhospital.com.

Thanks to all,

John

http://www.thefieldhospital.com/1859ambulance/m1859_2wheel_ambulance01_1.jpg

http://www.thefieldhospital.com/1859ambulance/m1859_2wheel_ambulance01_2.jpg

http://www.thefieldhospital.com/1859ambulance/m1859_2wheel_ambulance01_3.jpg

http://www.thefieldhospital.com/1859ambulance/m1859_2wheel_ambulance01_4.jpg

[cwilson]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

John,

Congratulations. That is truly a work of art.

[Michael Comer]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Very, very sharp. Looks like excellent work. You are justified in taking pride in it.

A buddy of mine has been talking about trying to build an ambulance and I gave him some dimensions and photos. He is pretty talented with wood etc. Is there a particular plan available that you followed for yours? If so, where might he go to obtain a copy?

[verg]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Thank you both for the positive feedback !

For specifications to build your own - go to our web site: http://www.thefieldhospital.com/

Click on the button for "Primary Documents."

The first two entries are contractor's specifications for the two most common Federal ambulances, the Coolidge and Wheeling patterns. These are what we have used/will use for our projects.

Yours,

John

[Dignann]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Excellent work, John. That is very impressive. I'm sure it was a lot of hard work. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing photos of the completed project!!

Eric

[Bridget_MacInnis]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

WOW!! :)

Always nice to see.

Congratulations.

:D

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

John, I concur with everyone's sentiments. A mighty fine job!!

[crabby]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

John,

Quite awsome. Having built a period peddler's wagon and helping build an ambulance (not as authentic as yours) I can fully appreciate the work and labor of love involved.

Crabby

[verg]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Thank you all. I assure you that it was a love/hate sort of project.

[Wild Rover]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

John,

I look forward to seeing ths in action at September Storm, and many other events in the future. Your hard work and dedication to bring this apsect back to "life" in our hobby is to be admired.


When is the first time it will be seen in action?

Pards,

[verg]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Hi Chris!

Things look on-track for the whole crew for September Storm although a few of us and the ambulance will make an earlier appearance with Sean Stevenson's Company (of the CVG) on the 14 and 15 July at Pitzer Woods, Gettysburg.

Thanks!

John

[wmkane]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Thought I'd make a comment: This ambulance looks great. I just happened across this picture of the 75 N.Y.V. removing wounded from the field with ambulances. Several look exactly like this one! There is even a guy using the folding gurney in this image!

http://narademo.umiacs.umd.edu/cgi-bin/isadg/viewobject.pl?object=63005

[verg]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Thank you Bill!

It is nice to see folks taking an interest in an obscure area of ACW such as ambulances.

That image is the basis of our website banner - take a look in my sig line below. NA says it is from Spring of '64 (Marye's Heights). Miller's Photographic history say it was Spring of '63. Both agree it was taken at Fredericksburg. In any event, It shows numerous m1859 (2 wheel) and a couple of M1859 (4 wheel) ambulances as well a m1859 Hospital Supply Cart. By the time that picture was taken, The AoP had undergone Letterman's reorganization with the institution of the Ambulance Corps.

I would descibe the image as: "Elements of 2nd Corps, 1st Division's Ambulance Corp. "

Please contact me if you find any more. Thanks!

[lambrew]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Sir....

Nice work! The photos got me looking into the ambulance corp aspect of the ACW. I love the shot of the stretcher with the head and knee area elevated. I did not know they had anything like it then. I am a paramedic in the 21st century, so you got my attention with these photos. Never read much about this area before. But I'm hooked now. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to seeing you guys in action at Sept. storm.


Your ob't servant....
Sean Collicott

[verg]

Re: "New" Civil War Ambulance

Dear Sean,

Thank you!

If you are interested in learning more, we do have some info on the website. I hope, by the end of the year, to be able to put a book length piece in your hands.

Yours,

John