Digital Program: Beasts of Burden – Animals and the Civil War

Learn about the surprising and important impact animals had during the Civil War and in the military today.

On Friday January 22 at 1:00 PM on Facebook Live for a virtual program hosted by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. You can tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed at the scheduled time.

NMCWM volunteer Brad Stone will discuss the intriguing history of animals used in the Civil War and their profound impact on the military then and now from South Mountain Creamery. During the Civil War, animals played a key role in the war effort. Horses and mules not only moved the army but fed soldiers and carried them into battle. Other equally important contributions were made by lesser known animals including cats, dogs, badgers, pigs, and silkworms. Even elephants almost played a key role in the war effort. Watch along your own furry friend for this presentation and learn how animals continue to impact the military today.

Brad Stone served with the federal government as a senior public relations executive dealing with a wide variety of public health issues.  He led the public relations operations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). He currently combines his interest in the Civil War and medical history by volunteering as a docent on a regular basis at both the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD and aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore Harbor.  He has given presentations on a variety of Civil War topics at a number of institutions including the Gettysburg Heritage Center and the U.S. Navy Museum at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC. He also recently appeared on C-SPAN3 American History TV talking about the Civil War’s impact on shaping the modern American Christmas holiday.

Like these programs? Consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member or donating to the Museum! Your efforts ensure that we can continue sharing the story of Civil War medicine in this crucial time. In history, we can find hope amid our struggle against COVID-19.