Confederate Navy medicine

The Confederate Navy's Office of Medicine and Surgery was a small organization within the Confederate Navy Department. The physicians, surgeon's stewards, and nurses provided medical care to sick and injured sailors from both sides of the conflict. The provision of health care often took place under trying circumstances, including shortages of medicines, money, and food. Members of the medical department served in all major and many minor naval engagements and worked long hours treating the wounded after battle. Many of the physicians served in the U.S. Navy before the Civil War. Their sacrifices and achievements are lost in the maelstrom of the larger conflict on land. This article is an effort to call attention to their story.