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| Posted: Fri Sep 9th, 2005 01:34 pm |
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1st Post |
amhistoryguy
Member
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In looking for a contribution to the group, I found this among some things I've written, and thought it would be a good "undertaking." : )
During the Civil War it was not the practice or policy of the United States Government to return the bodies of its fallen soldiers to the families. The preservation of the dead was not even a common practice in the U. S., even though the practice had been used by ancient cultures like the Egyptians, and was known. The dead were usually buried shortly after death.
The large numbers of dead during the CW created a problem with the decay of loved ones before a proper wake and funeral could be given. In addition, railroads refused to ship bodies emitting odors.
The solution was a new industry, preserving the dead. One option to this was that bodies be shipped in airtight containers, on ice, or both.
A number of men set themselves up as "embalming surgeons." These men were not attached to the military in any way, although a number of them had been military surgeons. Dr. Thomas Holmes, from New York, became a leader in the field, referred to today as "the father of modern embalming." Holmes went on to hold many patents related to embalming.
With the death of Col. Elmer Ellsworth, Holmes had offered free embalming, and his offer was accepted. Mrs. Lincoln was so impressed, that he was specifically requested to embalm Mr. Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln became the first president to be embalmed. Over the course of the war, Holmes is said to have embalmed over 4000 soldiers.
Arsenic was the primary ingredient in Holmes' embalming fluid. Other formulas used creosote and even mercury. While Lincoln's body was drained of blood, battlefield dead often just had fluid pumped in, many having bled out on the field, any remaining blood being forced out by embalming fluid.
Estimates are, that somewhere between 10,000 and 40,000 soldiers were embalmed, most of them officers.
The cost of embalming was initially set at $50 for an officer and $25 for an enlisted man.
It was not uncommon for the embalming surgeon to search the battlefield for officers, embalm them, and then contact the family for payment. Many embalming surgeons advertised their services with handbills to the soldiers, and in newspapers. Some soldiers paid in advance. It was often very difficult to search the battlefield for a specific "client" after he had fallen. Without "dog tags," soldiers took to attaching a piece of paper with their name and information on it to their uniforms. Some sutlers sold identification disks and badges which the soldiers wore.
There are no records or examples of Confederate embalming surgeons. With the chemicals being manufactured in the North, and the procedure having had its roots in the North, this is not surprising. The South simply did not have the resources.
Regards, Dave Gorski
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| Posted: Fri Sep 9th, 2005 09:11 pm |
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2nd Post |
Boots
Member
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this was really interesting ~ !
thank you for sharing it.
: D
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| Posted: Wed Oct 5th, 2005 04:25 pm |
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3rd Post |
Ulysses
Member
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This item was most interesting and for all those who give public talks about the Civil War, it would make an interesting reference to be shared. I have had several "business cards" of an undertaker named JENKINS, from Gettysburg, who was one of
the undertakers who submitted a bid to the War Department to bury the dead from
the battle there. His business card garuntees "oder free" coffin for display in one's
parlor! I have reprinted these cards and usually distribute them to audience members. Of course, when Pres. US Grant passed in July of 1885, a local undertaker
had built a wicker table, with a shelf that held a tub of ice, positioned on the shelf just under the table top, upon which the body was laying. The problem here was that it was summer, and burial was to held in New York City....and a public viewing
was to held so the body had to remain in good condition. To create further complications, the actual coffin was manufactured and designed in Rochester, NY. So
it, and the body was sent to NYC by train. By the way, the casket mfg. put Grant's empty coffin on display, before sending it to the Big Apple, and over 5000 citizens
filed by the EMPTY casket! Even though Grant was embalmed,a white pwder was applied to his face, since the skin of an embalmed body, tended to darken with time.
When Grant's wife Julia and his children arrived in New York and had a private
viewing of the deceased President, they were shocked to see what they described
as the ghost-like appearance of the body and agreed that was unacceptable. So,
although some consider this topic a bit uncomfortable, I should tell you that my
family was in the "cemetery" business so my interest comes naturally! I have a death mask of Grant which I also display along with my presentation. I would be
glad to address any questions or provide more details on the death of Gen. Grant.
Bwest regards, Ulysses
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| Posted: Sat Oct 8th, 2005 08:47 pm |
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4th Post |
judyr5554
Member
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What a wonderful article !!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am currently researching an article for the use of herbs and plants for medicinal purposes during the civil war. May I have your permission to quote some of your information in the article. It is only for a local paper here in the mountains of North Carolina, no major publication or anything.
Thanks
Judy
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22nd, 2005 05:29 pm |
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5th Post |
Gonzy317
Guest
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I just happened upon this while doing some research. I'm writing a research essay on this particular topic (civil war embalming) for my civil war class, and am having a very difficult time finding primary sources...
I don't suppose any of you might have any ideas where I could find something to assist me in my search??
THANKS SO MUCH!
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