Saturday, January 18, 2014

Dennis Driscoll, 14th., Connecticut Infantry.

Dennis Driscoll.

Birth: unknown.
Death: Apr. 25, 1865.

Residing in Glastonbury, Connecticut at the time of enlistment. Enlisted on December 7, 1864 as a Private in the 14th Connecticut Infantry, Company D, at the age of 22. Wounded in abdomen on March 25, 1865 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia. Hospitalized on March 30, 1865 at Stanton Hospital, Washington DC. Died at Washington DC of wounds received.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.

Connecticut 14th., Infantry.

Dennis Driscoll, Glastonbury, private, enlisted December 7, 1864, mustered in December 7, 1864; wounded March 25, 1865, Hatcher's Run, Va. ; died April 25, 1865.

Dennis Driscoll Medical History
American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
Volume 40, 1865, p. 400. 
 
Authors note.  There will be some miss spelling.. 

Art. XIY. Case of Gunshot Wound through the Pelvis. By P. Webster Prentiss, A. M., M. D., of Washington, D. C.

Private Dennis Driscoll, Co. D., 14th Connecticut Volunteers. aged 22 years, American. Good constitution. Wounded at battle of Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 25, 1865, by Minnie ball.

Wound of entrance : Anterior aspect of upper third of right thigh, six and a half inches below anterior superior spinous process of ileum ; ball passing upwards and inwards into the pelvis, near the obturator foramen, over the urethra, to the left of the bladder, and out of the pelvis at or near the greater sacro-sciatic notch of the left side, striking in its course the ramus of the pubis and spine of the ischium, but missing the pelvic viscera, and finally lodging in the muscular substance of the glutseus maximus, just over the pyriformis muscle.

Previous to admission into the hospital, the only inconvenience complained of on the part of the patient was pain and tenderness in the hypogastric region, and a persistent inclination to evacuate the bowels. The shock of wound was inconsiderable.

When received into the hospital, on the 30th of March, the external wound appeared healthy ; the discharge free, of dark, bloody pus, exhaling a decided fecal odour. The functions of the bladder were normal ; the patient hopeful ; pulse good, at about 90. The ball was discovered in the glutseus maximus of the left side, over the position of the greater sacrosciatic notch ; the place being pointed out by the patient himself from the pain, though it was not yet sufficiently distinct to justify an incision. The pelvic irritation and tenesmus continuing, a simple injection of warm water and Castile soap was administered, giving temporary relief. Cold water dressing was ordered for the wound.

During the week following, there was but little change in the patient. Irritation of the rectum and peritoneum supervened, when the bowels began to get costive, which was again relieved by the injection. The discharge assumed more the character of laudable pus, but still preserved its fecal
odour.

The same state of things continued up to the 15th of April, the ball becoming more and more evident each day, the tumefaction around it increasing until the irritation was beginning to affect the general system. The appetite, which had at no time been very good, was getting worse, and the patient growing restless. A consultation was held, and it was determined to cut for the ball, which was done by Surg. B. B. Wilson, in charge of the hospital, by means of a vertical incision through the glutseus maximus, about an inch to the left of the sacroiliac synchondrosis, extending from the posterior superior spinous process of the ileum downwards four inches. The muscle, at this point, was torn and bathed in pus. The ball, which had been distinctly felt previous to the incision, was not found in the muscle, but had evidently fallen back into the pelvis through the sacro-ischiatic notch an accident, the possibility of which had not been overlooked. On introducing the finger into the opening, the internal face of the spinous process of the ischium was found denuded of periosteum and roughened. A small fragment of bone, probably from the process, was removed from the substance of the glutseus maximus.

Exploration being made by means of Nekton's probe, the ball was discovered at a distance of about seven inches from the orifice, and several ineffectual attempts made to grasp it with forceps ; but it eluded their jaws, and finally disappeared again within the cavity. Subsequent search with probe, discovered necrosed bone at the opposite side of the pelvis where the ball entered, and very soon a fragment was brought out by the forceps, which was evidently from the symphysis of the pubes, having attached a portion of articular cartilage. Further search for the ball proved fruitless, and the patient was removed to his bed, stimulus ordered, and left  for the night. Chloroform was the anaesthetic used, and the operation  was borne well.

On the morning of April 16th, the ball was found in bed, having worked its own way out during the night. The urine was high colored and loaded with mucus ; pain and tenderness extended over the whole abdomen ; inflammation of the bladder and peritonitis were developed. Solutions of morphia and sweet spirit of nitre were administered, and partial relief obtained ; stimulants and nutritious diet were continued.

The patient continued to do well under this treatment, the inflammation subsiding considerably, until April 20th, when a hard chill came on, followed by profuse perspiration ; the pulse increased to one hundred and thirty, and was weak; the countenance assumed an anxious expression and icterode appearance ; the patient grew restless and uneasy, and the mind wandering ; pyaemia had set in. The stimulus was increased, and beef essence ordered.

On the 23d of April, the condition of things remained much the same symptoms increased in intensity ; pulse one hundred and sixty ; retching and vomiting, in addition to other symptoms, treated with morphia. One pint of brandy was taken daily in the form of "eggnog ;" the beef essence still continued. Inflammation of the bladder and peritoneum still continued, and the patient continued to sink, and died at 2 o'clock P. M., April 25th involuntary evacuations occurring towards the last.

He lived thirty-one days after receiving the wound, and ten days after the operation.

Authors note.  There was also a report on the Autopsy, but I left it out.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

James Chaffee, 6th., Ohio Cavalry.

Ohio State Records.

James Chaffee, Com. Ser., Ohio 6th., Cavalry, age 18, enlisted October 21, 1861, for 3 years.  Appointed Corporal December 16, 1861; wounded October 14, 1862, at Manassas Junction, Virginia; also wounded October 14, 1863, near Auburn, Virginia; appointed Com. Sergeant July 1, 1864; mustered out November 2, 1864, on expiration of term of service.

American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
No. XCIX New Series
July, 1865, p.38.


Case XL Gunshot wound, contusing the left tibia near knee-joint, inflicted by a glancing bullet; recovery. Corp. James Chaffee, Co. "I," 6th Ohio Cavalry, 20 years old, always healthy, was admitted to Stanton General Hospital, Oct. 17, 1863, from the field. He stated that he had been wounded three days before, Oct. 14, by a conical musket-ball, while engaged with infantry, near Bristow Station, Va., The bullet impinged obliquely upon antero-outer part of the head of the tibia (left) about two inches below the articular surface, and glanced off, without penetrating or fracturing the bone. The course of the bullet was from tehind forward, and from without inward. Directed the water-dressing to be applied, and allowed a full diet.

Subsequently the wound granulated, but slowly. He had a good deal of pain in and about it. No pieces of bone were discharged, aNd the knee joint did not become involved.

Dec. 10th. The wound was nearly healed, and he left the hospital on a furlough for thirty days.

Jan. 1, 1864 (about). An abscess formed in the popliteal space, and two days afterwards the wound reopened spontaneously.

April 1st. The wound is nearly filled up, but it presents a smooth, glazed, and indolent appearance. Its edges are blue and indurated. It is now circular in shape, and somewhat larger than a dime. Subsequently it healed slowly, and, April 24th, he was sent to his regiment for duty.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Samuel H. McCartney, 36th., Illinois, Infantry.

Samuel H. McCartney.

Birth: Oct., 1838, Indiana.
Death: Aug. 18, 1909, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois.

Married (1) Tabitha E. Hopkins -November 19, 1863 issue: Elizabeth Genett McCartney Addie H. McCartney.

Married (2) Theresa Jane Highfield May 18, 1876, Warren County, Illinois issue: Harry M McCartney Bessie J. McCartney Ella E. McCartney Gustavus Earl McCartney.

Parents: George Murry McCartney (1811 - 1894), Elizabeth Hogue McCartney (1817 - 1894).

Wife: Theresa Jane Highfield McCartney (1844 - 1921).

Children: Harry M McCartney (1877 - 1881), Bessie J McCartney (1879 - 1906), Ella E McCartney Canning (1882 - 1976), Earl Gustavus McCartney (1882 - 1917).

Burial: Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Warren County,

Illinois Civil War Detail Report.

Name: MCCARTNEY, SAMUEL H. Rank: PVT. Company: K. Unit: 36 IL US INF.

Personal Characteristics. Residence: YOUNG AMERICA, WARREN CO, IL. Age: 22. Height: 5' 7. Hair: DARK. Eyes: DARK. Complexion: DARK. Marital Status: SINGLE. Occupation: HARNESS MAKER. Nativity: PRINCETON, IN.

Service Record. Joined When: AUG 20, 1861. Joined Where: YOUNG AMERICA, IL. Period: 3 YRS. Muster In Where: AURORA, IL. Remarks: DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY JUL 15, 1862 AT KEOKUK IOWA WOUNDED AT PEA RIDGE.

Files of the Surgeon General.

CASE. Private Samuel H. McCartney, Co. K, 36th Illinois Volunteers, aged 22 years, was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 8th, 1862, by a conoidal musket ball, which struck the frontal bone about two inches above the right superciliary ridge, passing from the left to the right, crushing the bone at point of contact and lodged about one and a quarter inches from point of entrance. The dura mater was not injured. The wound healed in about four months, and on July 25th, 1862, he was discharged from the service. On February 15th, 1866, Pension Examiner John Young reports that he was troubled with pain in the head at the point of injury, was subject to vertigo and could not bear exposure to sun. His mind was also impaired. He is not a pensioner.

Francis M. Smith, 46th., Ohio Infantry.

Ohio State Records.

Francis M. Smith, Private, age 20, enlisted August 27, 1862, Ohio 46th., Infantry, Co. K., for 3 years.  Died July 14, 1864, at Boston Iron Works Georgia.

Files of the Surgeon General.

CASE. Private Francis M. Smith, Co. K, 46th Ohio Volunteers, was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27th, 1864, by a conoidall ball, which entered the left chest, penetrated the fourth intercostal space near the nipple, passed through the lung, and made its exit between the sixth and seventh ribs, close to the spinal column. He was received into the field hospital, Fifteenth Corps, at Barton s Iron Works, Georgia, on June 30th. On admission, the patient was suffering severely. His wound was dressed and an opiate given, after which he rested well for the remainder of the day. The same treatment was followed from day to day, giving him enough opium to control the pain, but he continued to sink gradually, and died on July 14th, 1864. Acting Assistant Surgeon R. H. McKay, who reports the case, says : " In this case the patient did not seem to rally at any one time, and for a great portion of the time, during the last week, he was delirious."

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Barney McGinnis, Kansas 7th., Cavalry.

Kansas State Records.

Barney McGinnis, Private, 7th., Kansas Volunteers-Cavalry, residence Leavenworth, Kansas.  Enlisted October 16, 1861, Mustered in October 16, 1861.  Discharged December 29, 1863, Leavenworth, Kansas.

Files of the Surgeon General.

CASE. Private Barney McGinnis, Co. H, 7th Kansas Volunteers, was admitted to the hospital at Leavenworth City, Kansas, August 13th, 1862, with a punctured wound of the right side, by a knife entering below the axilla. The wound was received in camp in a drunken row. He was discharged from service on December 29th, 1863, on account of chronic pleurisy, accompanied by empyema, resulting from the wound. Not a pensioner

Monday, January 13, 2014

William H. Edwards, 3rd., Iowa Cavalry.

Iowa State Records.

Edwards. William H. Age 21 Residence Bentonsport, nativity Indiana. Enlisted Aug. 27, 1862. Mustered Aug. 30, 1862. Taken prisoner Dec. 3, 1862, Oakland, Miss. Discharged for disability Dec. 19, 1864.

Files of the Surgeon General.

Private William H. Edwards, Co. D, 3d Iowa Cavalry, aged 23 years, of tood physical condition, -was admitted into the hospital at Keolcuk, Iowa, January 31st, 1864, with a fracture of the left parietal bone near its eminence, caused by a blow from a navy revolver, at Memphis, January 23d, 1864. He was comatose and delirious; the soft parts were greatly lacerated and contused; there was a slight discharge of pus and blood; there was a circular depression of the fractured bone less than one-half n inch in diameter. The operation of trephining being deemed advisable, Acting Assistant Surgeon D. S. McGuigan made a crucial incision three inches by four and removed three large pieces of depressed bone, measuring from one-half to an inch in diameter, from the inner table, and half an ounce of coagulum situated on the dura-mater. The patient reacted well, with a complete return of all his mental faculties. Occasional epileptic fits followed the operation, and there was copious discharge of laudable pus; on February 20th, hernia cerebri, as large as a hens egg, appeared; lime-water and chloride of soda were applied without success, and saturated solution of sulphate of iron was substituted; the hernia gradually declined, and he was discharged December 19th, 1864. He applied for a pension, but his claim was rejected. The case is reported by the operator.