The Hammond Gazette, March 30, 1864. Vol. 2, No. 20.

A nice example of a very uncommon newspaper printed weekly for the staff and patients of Hammond General (or Point Lookout) Hospital during 1863 and 1864. This Hospital for Union troops was constructed at the location of a summer resort on an isolated peninsula extending into Chesapeake Bay. After the Battle of Gettysburg, during which a large number of Confederate troops were captured, Point Lookout also quickly became the location of the largest Union prison camp.

The newspaper carries war news, some general news and even a bit of poetry. The back page contains a list of the staff of the Hospital as well as the names, States and units of the current patients. There were about 250 patients at the Hospital when this issue of the newspaper was printed.

The newspaper also contains several Army reports and notices, including one noting the continued poor health of General Meade and the likelihood that "in consequence thereof General Grant will command the army in person." Also included is a clarifying proclamation regarding amnesty issued by President Lincoln.

Issues of this wartime hospital newspaper are very uncommon. As an indication of its rarity: the American Antiquarian Society, which has the country's largest collection of newspapers, only holds nine issues of the paper, not including the issue offered here. [ICN 7386.]