In 1863, a makeshift force of sick soldiers successfully defended a Missouri city
Facing a daunting Confederate advance in 1863, a Union general organized a 'Quinine Brigade' of recovering hospital patients to hold the strategic city of Springfield, Missouri.
During the Second Battle of Springfield on January 8, 1863, Union General Egbert Brown found himself severely outnumbered by Confederate cavalry. With few healthy troops available, he armed over 400 recovering soldiers from the local military hospitals. These men, nicknamed the 'Quinine Brigade' after the medicine used to treat their ailments, took up positions behind makeshift barricades.
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