Oxford in the Olden Days: The Civil War Years
by Harry Harlan Stone
About the time that Sherman’s troops on their noted “March to the Sea” struck the northern boundary of Georgia, the disabled Confederates were sent back to Atlanta and nearby towns. When Atlanta was besieged and the city was under almost constant fire from the federal forces, the Georgia Railroad, running out of the east side of the city and passing through this county, was used more than ever to bear such of the wounded from that center of death and destruction as were strong enough to stand the strain of transportation, and great numbers were brought to Covington and Oxford. The large college chapel was transformed into a tremendous hospital and the Few and Phi Gamma halls into quarters for the nurses and physicians. The church was also used as a hospital.
By far, the greater number of the patients received at these hospital recovered and went on their way, rejoicing. During their convalescent stage the patients were allowed to walk out from the hospital while taking exercise. All the homes of the town were open to receive them and many were the unannounced guests around the boards of the villagers. The housekeepers of the townsfolk were constant in their attentions in furnishing to the patients such delicacies as they could make, though they were greatly handicapped by the lack of many ingredients—notably sugar.
Some operations were performed in these hospitals which were remarkable for that time and the limited equipment—for instance it is a matter of recollection that a piece from rib bone was used to complete a nose in one of the patients.
By far, the greater number of the patients received at these hospital recovered and went on their way, rejoicing. During their convalescent stage the patients were allowed to walk out from the hospital while taking exercise. All the homes of the town were open to receive them and many were the unannounced guests around the boards of the villagers. The housekeepers of the townsfolk were constant in their attentions in furnishing to the patients such delicacies as they could make, though they were greatly handicapped by the lack of many ingredients—notably sugar.
Some operations were performed in these hospitals which were remarkable for that time and the limited equipment—for instance it is a matter of recollection that a piece from rib bone was used to complete a nose in one of the patients.
About the time that Sherman’s troops on their noted “March to the Sea” struck the northern boundary of Georgia, the disabled Confederates were sent back to Atlanta and nearby towns. When Atlanta was besieged and the city was under almost constant fire from the federal forces, the Georgia Railroad, running out of the east side of the city and passing through this county, was used more than ever to bear such of the wounded from that center of death and destruction as were strong enough to stand the strain of transportation, and great numbers were brought to Covington and Oxford.
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The large college chapel was transformed into a tremendous hospital and the Few and Phi Gamma halls into quarters for the nurses and physicians. The church was also used as a hospital.
By far, the greater number of the patients received at these hospital recovered and went on their way, rejoicing. During their convalescent stage the patients were allowed to walk out from the hospital while taking exercise. All the homes of the town were open to receive them and many were the unannounced guests around the boards of the villagers. The housekeepers of the townsfolk were constant in their attentions in furnishing to the patients such delicacies as they could make, though they were greatly handicapped by the lack of many ingredients—notably sugar.
Some operations were performed in these hospitals which were remarkable for that time and the limited equipment—for instance it is a matter of recollection that a piece from rib bone was used to complete a nose in one of the patients.
By far, the greater number of the patients received at these hospital recovered and went on their way, rejoicing. During their convalescent stage the patients were allowed to walk out from the hospital while taking exercise. All the homes of the town were open to receive them and many were the unannounced guests around the boards of the villagers. The housekeepers of the townsfolk were constant in their attentions in furnishing to the patients such delicacies as they could make, though they were greatly handicapped by the lack of many ingredients—notably sugar.
Some operations were performed in these hospitals which were remarkable for that time and the limited equipment—for instance it is a matter of recollection that a piece from rib bone was used to complete a nose in one of the patients.
While very much the greater part of their patients recovered, many of them died. Transportation was such that but few of those who passed away could be carried to their individual homes. A place on the campus was set apart and there the sacred bones of the departed were interred with all the loving care and tenderness possible. In this way, thirty-two mounds marked the resting places of many of the devoted sons of the South, and by some strange coincidence, every Confederate state is represented, with the exception of Virginia. Originally, every mound had a head board showing the name and command represented by the bones within, but some succumbed to the finger of Father Time and the name became unintelligible. The ladies of Oxford organized and worked for many years to mark the resting place of each soldier with a marble record tablet and great was their joy when this was accomplished.