Lovell General Hospital (Rhode Island) facts for kids
Lovell General Hospital was a special hospital for soldiers in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It was used by the United States Army during the American Civil War from 1862 to 1865. It helped thousands of sick and injured soldiers during the war.
Contents
A Place for Healing: The Hospital's Story
Starting the Hospital
In May 1862, the main doctor for the U.S. Army asked William Sprague IV, who was the Governor of Rhode Island, to find a good place for wounded and sick soldiers. Governor Sprague's team chose a spot called Portsmouth Grove in the Melville area of Portsmouth.
The first patients arrived at the hospital on July 6, 1862. During the Civil War, many thousands of soldiers received care there.
Keeping Watch: Hospital Guards
Some patients at the hospital were Union soldiers who had broken rules, and others were Confederate prisoners of war. Because of this, guards were needed at the hospital. At first, local groups like the Artillery Company of Newport helped with security.
Later, in December 1862, a special group of volunteers was formed. They were called the Hospital Guards. Captain Christopher Blanding led this group. Soldiers who joined had injuries that kept them from fighting on the front lines. This company stayed at the hospital until it closed in 1865.
Important Nurses
An early leader at the hospital was Katherine Prescott Wormeley. She was a key organizer for the United States Sanitary Commission. This group helped support soldiers during the war.
Wormeley was inspired by Florence Nightingale, a famous nurse from the Crimean War. Katherine was very good at finding nurses to work at Lovell General Hospital.
Naming the Hospital
The hospital was named Lovell General Hospital after Joseph Lovell. He was the main doctor for the Surgeon General of the United States Army from 1818 to 1836. The hospital was also known as Portsmouth Grove Hospital.
Closing Down
Lovell General Hospital closed on August 25, 1865. Over time, all of the hospital buildings were taken apart or moved away. Today, there are no remains of the hospital left.
During the war, more than 200 patients died at the hospital. They were first buried in a cemetery near the hospital. In May 1868, their remains were moved to Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
What Happened to the Site Later?
In the early 1900s, the hospital site became a place for the Navy to store coal for its ships. Before World War II, the Navy started using oil instead of coal. So, the station was changed to store oil.
During World War II, the hospital site became a training base for PT boats. These were small, fast Navy boats. John F. Kennedy, who later became president, was one of many Navy officers who trained there.
Modern Day Use
In the 1970s, the Navy reduced its presence in Rhode Island. The site was then used for the boating industry. Today, you can find businesses like Little Harbor Marine and the Bend Boat Basin there. There is also the Melville Grille restaurant. Some famous America's Cup yachts are stored there during the winter.
