Dear AfriGeneas Military Researchers:

Below is my post, to Civil War historian to Bennie J. McRae’s Facebook page.
It discusses the fascinating history of Blacks in Civil War medicine. It’s entitled, “BINDING WOUNDS PUSHING BOUNDARIES AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE”.

Enjoy and follow the links to The National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine’s collaboration on such an important chapter in Civil War history.

BINDING WOUNDS PUSHING BOUNDARIES

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE

Dear Bennie:

The National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine created “BINDING WOUNDS PUSHING BOUNDARIES AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE”. Kudos to its Curator and the talented staff who created this very important Civil War Memory.

Recently, I found in the NY Times’ archives the name of a black doctor assigned to Ullmann’s Brigade.

“The newly commissioned black surgeon, Dr. AUGUSTA CANADA, appeared on the streets to-day in Major's uniform. He has been assigned to ULLMANN's brigade.”

I remember chatting with you about the number of black doctors in the Civil War. The following url to the website, not only lists them, but also presents some fascinating profiles of these physicians. Equally important are the women and men who served as nurses.

You’ll be transfixed by the content of AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE. The creators included rare photographs and anecdotal histories that I’ve never seen before. The website also offers lesson plans targeted to upper elementary and high school students. Please share with your education colleagues.

What I appreciate the most is the “Voice” of AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE. It resonates with historical fact, some irony and pride. Too often presentations on our role in the Civil War are prefaced with images of the passive slave. Thus these histories are always a bit defensive, or self-conscious. (We did that too).

But NOT HERE! It’s a straightforward presentation of an important chapter in Civil War history.

Please click on the link below for “BINDING WOUNDS PUSHING BOUNDARIES AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CIVIL WAR MEDICINE”.

Kathleen Wyer Lane

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/bindingwounds/index.html