Developing a Hospital Steward impression

[Hospital Stew]

Hi everyone.

My name is Dan Burch and I am new to reenacting and to medical reenacting in particular. I have been been watching (and learning) from this forum for a while now and very much appreciate the excellent instruction I have received from you all. I was a member of a Federal infantry company this summer, but because of health issues, I am developing a hospital steward impression for next year and have been reading and looking at all the websites I can find concerning hospital stewards. I am familar with the dress uniform of a hospital steward, but my question is, what did his fatigue uniform consist of? Surely, a dress uniform would not be practical. I can assume it would be a fatigue blouse and sky blue trousers. In short, a basic Federal uniform but I am not at all sure and desire to protray a correct impression. If a fatigue blouse is correct, would he have worn his hospital chevrons? Would he have worn a NCO belt and plate? Its the details I'm not sure of. If someone could point me in the right direction where to find this information, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

Dan Burch, "a rookie, but willing (and wanting) to learn."

[Marc]

I am sure Noah will have your answers to this one. He did one of the best Steward Impressions I have ever had the honor to work with.

["Doc" Nelson]

Dan,
Browse through period photos and, look through period manuals. There is a ton of information out there that, shows a lot of variations of uniform articles worn. Some would depend on the Regiment/Brigade/Division/Corps you were with. As, some commanders had personal preferences. A suggestion would be, just go with what regulations call for. It makes things allot simpler .

Regardless if you had a fatigue coat or, frock . . I'd say wear the chevrons. Noah, would be a better person to look to. He has a great Steward's impression.

Hope this helps some .

[NoahBriggs]

The Hospital Steward's Manual by JJ Woodward is to be your new best friend. It mentions a fatigue uniform - fatigue blouse with the chevrons. Stripes on the trousers optional. It's dang near impossible to ge the crimson stripes for the trousers. I have a set I can sell, but they are real faded. Sometimes I am mistaken for artillery. Do not waste time with a belt or a sash, especially if you are in the field. Don't put the stew's insignia on the cap; it's for the dress hat.

Jarny makes the best frock; their crimson trim is the closest to the original. I have a size 38 available to sell if interested.

Buy the Steward's Manual before you get anything else. Read how a general hospital is supposed to be run, then read Civil War Pharmacy by Michael Flannery. Why? Because the stew was an overglorified pharmacist who was to dispense prescriptions and handle minor work at surgeon's call. Oh, yes. And paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. You will read it from us time and again, this is the type of impression which requires oodles of reading before doing anything else.

[NoahBriggs]

I should mention, but I forgot 'cause I was too wrapped up in myself.

Welcome to this forum! Please read up on previous subjects so you can get a feel for where we are right at the moment. Bonus round - for extra points, find the list of simulated medicines, and the bibiliography (which should be a start, not the destination).

Shoot us questions, the more specific the better.

[Hospital Stew]

Thanks so very much for your advice and warm welcome. I will definately be doing alot of reading, and, as in my theatre acting days, "researching my part." Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving...I would take you up on that frock coat, Noah...but unfortunately I would have to loose a few sizes first...ha ha.

Very Respectfully,
Dan Burch

[csa steward]

noah have you got a maual left i can get.keith

[csa steward]

noah where can i find the manual on about the hosptial steward.What was there rank in the war and pay.

[NoahBriggs]

Disclaimer: The following only applies to Federal Hospital Stewards:

Unfortunately the Hospital Steward's Manual is not available online. Otherwise I would have plastered the link onscreen here, in glowing letters with lots of shiny arrows.

You can buy it via Amazon for about sixty bucks, but don't quote me on the price. It's in hardback, and it will fit right into correct-looking reference materials in the field without screaming "Look at me! I'm farby!".

In an effort to steer business George Wunderlich's way, you can pick up a copy at the Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Typical pay for a Federal steward was about $20 a month. It rose to $22 a month in April? 1862. A steward was considered a staff-noncommissioned officer (cue crimson branch-of-service color), which meant he answered to the surgeon and the assistant surgeon, or to a senior steward, if one was appointed above him. He could not issue orders to the enisted men unless said soldiers were placed under his direct command by a senior officer. His NCO's warrant was to be approved personally by the Surgeon-General. In theory he was the equivalent in rank to a sergeant-major.

["Doc" Nelson]

Disclaimer: The following only applies to Federal Hospital Stewards:

Unfortunately the Hospital Steward's Manual is not available online. Otherwise I would have plastered the link onscreen here, in glowing letters with lots of shiny arrows.

Ah ha! I beg to differ my friends. Here's a link to google books. You can download the manual to your hard drive. Unless you want a hard copy (which I'm ordering). Anyway, here's the link http://books.google.com/books?id=FBM...teward#PPP1,M1. Hope this helps.

In theory he was the equivalent in rank to a sergeant-major.

Actually, all information I have read states that, a Steward is equivalent to that of an Orderly/1st Sergeant. Is it SgtMaj. or Orderly/1st Sgt.? AHHHH!! Too much information, LOL .