A Place of Hardship and Loss
Station Seven marks the location of the temporary hospital established during the winter of 1861–1862. Although Fort Duffield never saw a major battle, disease proved far more deadly than combat. Measles, typhoid fever, pneumonia, and dysentery swept through the ranks of the 9th Michigan Infantry and related units stationed here.
The Winter of Sickness
Soldiers lived in crowded tents and makeshift shelters, often without proper sanitation or adequate medical supplies. The bitter cold and damp conditions on Muldraugh’s Hill made recovery difficult. Many of the men who fell ill never regained their strength, and dozens died during the fort’s construction period.
Medical Care in 1861
Medical knowledge during the Civil War was limited. Doctors did what they could with the supplies available, but treatments were often ineffective. Quinine, laudanum, mustard plasters, and simple herbal remedies were common. Isolation tents were set up near this location to separate the sick from the healthy.
What to Notice Here
- The quiet, sheltered area chosen for the hospital tents
- The proximity to the cemetery where many victims were memorialized
- The challenges of providing care in harsh winter conditions
- The emotional toll sickness took on the regiment
Continue the Tour
When ready, continue along the trail to Station Eight, where you’ll visit the memorial cemetery honoring the soldiers who died during the fort’s construction.