This rectangular hospital steward insignia is made of green wool cut in a slanted fashion with an indigo dyed broadcloth backing, differing favorably in quality from many period examples that used an oil cloth or waterproofed paper backing.  The green center is flanked by a border of blue, trimmed with gold thread in a bullion style.  A 1” section of thread is partially missing. In the center is a brilliant gold bullion caduceus with black thread around the head.  The reverse is a piece of broadcloth, stitched by hand to green wool section, with sections of gold threading visible through the obverse side.

The chevron measures approximately 12” from each offset corner and roughly 2.25” in width. There is no staining or damage from attachment or removal evident, making this an exceptional addition to any Civil War or medical history collection.

In the fall of 1851, General Order #53 was published which described chevrons for Hospital Stewards. While the Hospital Steward of that time enlisted as a private, the regulations put him at the pay and responsibility of a sergeant. An addendum to the Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the U.S. Army that authorized a “Half Chevron” consisting of a green background with yellow trim and a Caduceus to denote the rank of the Hospital Steward.

At this time, both British and French uniform designs influenced the military uniforms of the US. At this time the French had more influence so the new chevron designed for the Hospital Steward was similar to the French army’s upper arm oblique chevron for quartermasters. The design had a two-inch yellow caduceus on a half chevron of emerald green cloth with ½ inch green edges, separated from the rest of the chevron by a ½ inch yellow stripe. Green was used since the surgeon wore a green sash to indicate his status and his position in the army. This general design continued unchanged until 1887.

Finally in 1856, Congress authorized the Secretary of War to appoint as many Hospital Stewards as needed in the army and mustered onto the hospital rolls as “NCO’s”. This action permanently attached the stewards to the Medical Department. It also required that the war department appoint any army Hospital Stewards and assign them to posts, not specific units. This denied the appointment of stewards by regimental commanders.

The Hospital Steward was responsible for assisting the surgeon in minor surgical procedures, dispensing medicine and supervising the attendants and other civilians who worked in the hospitals. They were charged with procuring vegetables, meat, and bread from the local area when the normal supply system was interrupted. Some stewards worked in the government laboratory supervising the production of medicine.  [cm][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!