Hanover Hospital Sponsors "Hanover Living History Civil War Weekend  August 20 & 21

Whether you're a Civil War history buff, want to recognize an important part of Hanover's place in history, or want to learn about the dramatic changes in medical practices since that period, you won't want to miss the 1st Annual Hanover Living History Weekend on August 20-21.

Hosted by Hanover Hospital, this first-ever event will showcase Hanover's Civil War history, and show the progression of medical advances dating from that period to the present time. According to Bruce Yealy, a Paramedic here at Hanover Hospital, "It's important that the younger generation sees the contributions and sacrifices made by our ancestors...in the pursuit of freedom." Bruce, event co-chair for this event, and an avid Civil War re-enactor and living history teacher, noted that "now is the time for Hanover, and the contributions to history made by its people, to be recognized in a major way such as this...so this part of history is not forgotten."

The group also wanted to show just how far we've come from what was and what is today in terms of the delivery, treatment, and teachings of medicine, he added, which tied the entire event together, with Hanover Hospital as a sponsor. Other committee members include Co-chair Carole Wolf-Siliezar, LPN, of the hospital's M-2 Med-Surg unit; Krista Heagy, Clinical Engineering; Bob Resig and Byron Wildasin, Environmental Services; Dana Yealy, Emergency Dept.; Pastor Eric Stenman, Hospital Chaplain; and Bill Walb, CEO. Additionally, Dr. Paul Dende, and Dr. Frank Horn, members of the Hanover Hospital Medical Staff, and fellow Civil War/Living History enthusiasts, will be participating in the event.

Dr. Dende, a Hospitalists at Hanover Hospital, described how his deep interest in history came about: "In addition to science I have always been intrigued by history, specifically United States history during her first 'four score and seven years'. I remember being in Washington DC as a child and reading on a building something to the effect, that "those who do not learn by history are condemned to repeat it." In our country's development as in medicine and in life, mistakes are made. It is part of the human experience. One can only pray that we learn from these mistakes, don't repeat them, and become better as the result of them."

After appearing as a Civil War surgeon on the hospital's float in last year's Halloween Parade, Hanover surgeon Dr. Horn said he did some reading and discovered that many of Hanover's doctors of that time participated in the war effort as military physicians. Many were taught to do amputations (which were the best way to save the lives of the injured troops) despite the fact that they weren't surgeons. "Hanover can be proud of its heritage," he avowed.

On Friday evening, August 19th, Civil War re-enactor groups will set up "camp" on the parking lots of St. Mark Lutheran Church (adjacent to the hospital), and All Saints Episcopal Church (Clearview & McCosh Streets). Though the original plan was to have the camp exclusively at one site, the large turnout of re-enactor groups necessitated the addition of the All Saints location. Union troops will occupy the St. Mark site, and Confederate troops will be at All Saints.

A parade will kick off the event, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, starting at the corner of North and Charles Streets, then head north on Charles Street, past the hospital, concluding at St. Mark Lutheran Church. If you look closely, you may catch a glimpse of "General Ulysses S. Grant," who will be along the sidelines, viewing the parade, just as he would have done during the War.

After the parade, opening ceremonies on the steps of St. Mark will take place, concluding with awarding of parade prizes.

At 11 a.m. an educational medical demonstration will be presented, featuring modern versus Civil War-era practices and equipment. A lecture about the "Battle of Hanover" will take place at 1 p.m. in the main camp area at St. Mark, followed by a street skirmish on Charles Street, next to the church. After the battle, another medical demonstration by Pete Peters, portraying Colonel John Rollins, a staff physician for the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteers, will take place at the main hospital tent at the St. Mark campsite.

Throughout the day, visitors are invited to watch numerous other related demonstrations throughout the camp areas, on subjects such as Camp Cook Life, Camp Laundress Life, and Soldier Camp Life. Spectators will also have the opportunity to meet historical notables such as Mary Todd Lincoln, Staff Officer Colonel Roy Smith, a politician of that era, and Clara Barton.

The day will culminate with a Civil War Ball at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's, where spectators are invited to observe a traditional, formal dance of that era. Members of the Hanover Hospital Auxiliary will be hosting the Ball. Period dress or formal attire is required...casual wear will not be permitted, in order to preserve the authenticity of the Ball. Cost is $10 per person. Advance tickets can be obtained by contacting Carole Wolf-Siliezar at: (717) 633-2166, or (717) 630-0997.

At 9 a.m., Sunday morning, an authentic Civil War service will be held at St. Mark, with a guest appearance by "President Abraham Lincoln," portrayed by James Getty, a well-known Lincoln impersonator.

Following the service, a medical demonstration will be presented at the hospital tent at the St. Mark campsite, showing modern and Civil War medical procedures.

At 1 p.m., a street skirmish will occur along Charles Street, near the campsite, followed by another medical demonstration by "Colonel John Rollins". Demonstrations on camp soldier, laundress and cook life will take place throughout the day, with more "guest" appearances by "Mary Todd Lincoln" and "Clara Barton.".

The weekend events will come to a close on Sunday at 4 p.m.

For more information about the Hanover Living History Weekend, or to register a re-enactment group or parade group, please contact Bruce Yealy, Paramedic, at (717) 633-8979 (voicemail #5); or Carole Wolf-Siliezar, at (717) 633-2166, or (717) 630-0997.

[History Facts: The Battle of Hanover] The battle, which took place in Hanover on the morning of June 30, 1863 played a significant role in the Civil War. Confederate cavalry under Major General Jeb Stuart attacked the rear of the Union cavalry southeast of here and for awhile, had possession of the town. Stuart had captured a Union wagon train and was cutting around the right of Meade's Union army forces when he met with the troops of Major General Judson Kilpatrick and General George A. Custer of the Union cavalry at Hanover. The engagement lasted the best part of the day. In the evening, Stuart withdrew and headed toward York - on his way to meet General Lee along the Susquehanna River. When Lee did not hear from Stuart, who was to supply him with information about Meade's army, he withdrew from his position along the Susquehanna River and concentrated his army in Cashtown and Gettysburg. Stuart, delayed by the conflict at Hanover, was "lost" to Lee and the Confederate army and did not reach Lee at Gettysburg until that famous battle was almost over. Meanwhile, Kilpatrick marched his troops straight to Gettysburg after the conflict in Hanover, and participated in the Union victory there. As the Confederate army was leaving town, they tried to cut down the American flag that flew over the Hanover Spectator Office. This flag is now in the Hanover Area Historical Society's collection and on display in the Neas House Museum. [As taken from Hanover Chamber of Commerce "History and Battle of Hanover" brochure.]

["Civil War-Historical Medical Facts,"submitted by Dr. Paul Dende - more attached]

* The Civil War was fought, claimed the Union army surgeon general, "at the end of the medical Middle Ages." Little was known about what caused disease, how to stop it from spreading, or how to cure it.

* A Civil War soldier's chances of not surviving the war, was about one in four.

* During the period just before the Civil War, a physician received minimal training. Nearly all the older doctors served as apprentices in lieu of formal education. The average medical student in the United States trained for two years or less, received practically no clinical experience, and was given virtually no laboratory instruction. Harvard University, for instance, did not own a single stethoscope or microscope until after the war.

* Individuals who survived their wounds and surgeries still had another hurdle: the high risk of infection. While most surgeons were aware of a relationship between cleanliness and low infection rates, they did not know how to sterilize their equipment. Due to a frequent shortage of water, surgeons often went days without washing their hands or instruments, thereby passing germs from one patient to another as he treated them. The resulting vicious infections, commonly known as "surgical fevers," are believed to have been caused largely by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, bacterial cells which generate pus, destroy tissue, and release deadly toxins into the bloodstream. Gangrene, the rotting away of flesh caused by the obstruction of blood flow, was also common after surgery. Despite these fearful odds, nearly 75 percent of the amputees survived.