Horace E. Coombs


Horace E Coombs.

Birth: 1847.
Death: 1940.

Parents: Charles C Coombs (1816 - 1898), Harriette S Coombs (1823 - 1887).

Wife: Caroline Davis Coombs (1850 - 1903)

Children: Florence C. Coombs Barton and .Edwards A. Coombs.

Burial: Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Civil War Veteran.

United States Army, Signal Corps.

Horace E. Coombs, private, Plainville, Massachusetts.  Enlisted April  15, 1864; Attleboro, Massachusetts; Dept. of Washington; 1865; Central Station, Washington D. C.

Samuel Hosea Davidson

Samuel Hosea Davidson.

Birth: Nov. 8, 1843, Salem, Henry County, Iowa.
Death: May 3, 1899, Polk City, Polk County, Iowa.

Burial: Pine Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Authors note.  To see a picture of him and to learn more about him and his family take this link.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=davidson&GSmn=h&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=14&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=66052545&df=all&

Iowa 2nd., Light Battery Regimental History.

Samuel H. Davidson, Age 18, Residence Able, nativity Indiana.  Enlisted August 14, 1862.  Mustered in September 4, 1862.  Mustered out August 7, 1864, Davenport, Iowa.

Surgical General Office.

Samuel H. Davidson, 2nd., Iowa battery, age 19, years was wounded March 24, 1864, near Memphis, by a bowie knife.  He got "Dry gangrene", in his right hand and on April 13, 1864, his right little finger was amputated.  He recovered rapidly and was returned to duty June 8, 1864.

John A. Cole, 25th., Iowa, Infantry.

25th., Regimental Records.

John A. Cole, Private, Iowa,  25th., infantry, Co. H., Age 23, years.  Residence Mount Pleasant, nativity Kentucky.  Enlisted August 14, 1862.  Mustered in September 1, 1862.    Wounded January 11, 1863, Arkansas Post, Ark.  Discharged for wounds September 6, 1864, Keokuk, Iowa.

Surgeon General Office.

John A. Cole, Private, Iowa,  25th., infantry, Co. H., Age 23, years, was wounded at Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863, and was conveyed on the hospital transport Louisville to the Adams hospital at Memphis.  He was later transferred to Lawson hospital, St. Louis, April 17, 1863, and on June 9, was sent to Keokuk, and was discharged from the service.  Pension records shows that he died January 30, 1865.

James H. Kelly & Isaac T. Lawless, U. S. Signal Corps.

Part of a Letter written by B. B. Wood Jr., Late Captain and Bvt. Major, U. S. Vols.

Push to enlarge.

 

Previous to the engagement at this place, which occurred June 17, 1862, the infantry under Col. Fitch had been landed on the west bank of the river, which was covered with woods, the transports at the same time taking position on the east side.

The gunboats then proceeded up the river to begin the attack, the Mound City being in advance. Lieut. Caldwell was stationed with the transports, Lieut. Gray accompanied the infantry, and the writer took his station on the Mound City. As soon as the latter came within range 'the rebels opened on her from the heavy guns on the bluff, which were well concealed by the intervening trees and shrubbery, the Mound City replying with her bow guns as soon as she could see the smoke from the enerny's guns. In rounding a slight bend of the river the Mound City was struck by a solid shot on the port side near the bow where there was no iron armor, which, after piercing her side and killing two or three men, penetrated the boilers, causing the steam to escape and scalding nearly the whole crew. Many jumped out of the port-holes into the river to avoid the steam, some being drowned and others shot, while a few succeeded in reaching the shore or were picked up by the small boats from the other gunboats.

Some of the rebels came down to the brink of the river to fire at our men swimming in the waterr, while their batteries continued to pour in grape and canister. Col. Fitch now requested the gunboats to cease firing, while he assaulted the rebel works from the rear with his infantry. He took them by surprise, capturing nine guns and thirty prisoners, including Col. Frye, the commanding officer.  while some of our men were swimming in the water a very gallant act was performed by a little tugboat accompanying the expedition, carrying a small brass howitzer, with a crew of only two men. She rushed to the rescue while the Mound City was drifting helplessly down stream, and at short range fired two or three charges of canister into the rebels along the bank.

Of a crew consisting of one hundred and eighty men on the Mound City hardly thirty escaped death, many of the scalded lingering one or two days in great agony. The Signal Corps lost an excellent man in this fight in the person of Isaac Lawless, who was so badly scalded that he died soon after on the gunboat Conestoga on his way to the hospital at Memphis. He was wrapped in his blanket by his comrade J. H. Kelly, and laid to rest with twenty-six of the crew of the Mound City on the east bank of the Mississippi river, a little above Island No. 68.

New York State Records.

 

JAMES H. KELLY, was not found on the roster

LAWLESS, ISAAC.—Age, 19 years. Enlisted, September 23, 1861, at Albany, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. E, October 3, 1861; killed on board Mound City, Mississippi River, June I8, 1862, born as Isaac T. Lawless.

Records of U. S. Signal Corps.

 

KELLY, JAMES H., Sergt. . . 175 Hamilton St., Albany, N. Y. Transferred from 44th N. Y. Vols.; Albany, N. Y.; detailed Dec, 1861, to Camp of Instruction, Georgetown, D. C; March, 1862, to Mil. Div. of the West; April 1, Gen. Ilalleck's hdqrs., St. Louis, Mo.; April 6, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.; camp at Paducah, Ky.; June 6, with fleet in Miss, river, at Memphis; June, exp. up White river, Ark, on gunboat "Mound City"; June 17, engagement near St. Charles; Memphis, Tenn.; Columbus, Ky.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Oct. 1, 20th A. C, Dept- of Cumb., near Louisville, Ky.; battle of Perryville; pursuit of Bragg through Ky.; Nashville, Tenn.; battle f)f Murfreesboro; 18G3, Stevenson, Ala.; Alpine, Ga. ; Sept., Chattanooga, Tenn.; Moccasin Point sta.; Dec, Knoxville, Tenn.; Jan. 14, 1864, transf. to S. C; Feb., promoted to sergt.; Atlanta campaign ; 1865, Mil. Div. ot Gulf; New Orleans, La.; Houston, Tex.; disch. at Austin, Tex., March 8, 1866; bvt.-lieut. N. G., S. N. Y.

 

ISAAC T. LAWLESS. Killed White River, Ark; June 17, 1862.  Detailed 44TH., N. Y Vols.; Clinton Hollow, N. Y..; April 1, 1861, reported to Gen. Halleck at St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Cumb.; April6, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.; June 17, Scalded on "Mound City.".

Henry S. Tafft.

Push to enlarge.

Henry S. Tafft

Father: Smith Taft b. 22 Mar 1784, d. 9 Jul 1842
Mother: Hannah Albee b. 23 Jul 1801, d. 29 Jun 1867

Company: H., Henry Spurr Tafft was also known as Henry S. Taft in some records. His military records are under "TAFFT", as is his burial and his pre-war records in MA.

He was born on 13 Mar 1834 at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, son of Smith Taft and Hannah Albee. On 9 Jul 1842 his father, Smith Taft, died at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, at age 58.

In 1842, at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry was involved in a guardianship proceeding at the probate court. He was enumerated in the household of Israel Plummer and Amelia Taft Cooper in the 1850 US Federal Census on 19 Aug 1850 at Northbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, as: Israel Plummer, 38, merchant, b. MA Amelia J., 39 Emma A., 13 (his future wife) Sarah L., 11 Hiram, 35, machinist, b. MA **Henry S. Taft, 16, clerk, b. MA Ann S. Dexter, 23, b. Ireland James Bronson, 16, laborer, b. VT Patrick Duphey, 19, laborer, b. Ireland.

On 25 Dec 1855 Henry Spurr Tafft, 21, married Emma Amelia Plummer, 20, daughter of Israel Plummer and Amelia Taft Cooper, at Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

On 1 Aug. 1861 Henry mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a 1st Lieutenant, being credited to the quota of Northbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was 27 years, 4 months and 19 days old.

On 14 Aug. 1861 at "The Worcester Spy", Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Henry Spurr Tafft was mentioned in an article about the departure of the Fifteenth Massachusetts from Worcester. In Sept. 1861 Henry was transferred from detached to the Signal Corps.

Louis Morell, 119th., New York INfantry.

Louis Morell.

Birth: unknown.
Death: Feb. 23, 1882, Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia.

Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Veterans.

Burial: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, District of Columbia, District Of Columbia.

New York State Records.

M OR ELL, LOUIS.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted at Albany, to serve three years, and mustered in as private, Co. C, February 11, 1862; mustered out with company. May 8, 1862; subsequent service in Co. D, One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry.

MORRELL, LOUIS.—Age, 21 years. Enlisted, June 10, 1862, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as sergeant, Co. D, September 4, 1862; wounded in action, July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.; absent, wounded, in New York city at muster out of company; prior service in Co. C, One hundred and Third Infantry.

Medical and Surgical History of the War Of the Rebellion.

Wounding of Sergeant Louis Morell or Morrell.

 

CASE 243. Sergeant Louis Morell, Co. D, 119th New York, aged 19 years, on the afternoon of July 1, 1863, in the assault on the lines of the Eleventh Corps, received two wounds, and, falling, and remaining on the field between two fires, a third wound. The first wound was from a small ball, which lodged in the globe of the left eye; the second was inflicted an instant afterward by a musket-ball, which entered four inches to the right of the umbilicus, passed directly through the body, and emerged near the right sacroiliac synchondrosis, having grooved the crest of the innominatum. The sergeant was then in the act of reloading, the right arm elevated to use the ramrod. He recollected seeing his cartridge-box torn by the missile, and the next instant fell unconscious. He dimly recalls a temporary return of consciousness, on being struck soon afterward in the left thigh, by a musket-ball, which passed through the quadriceps extensor, a little above the patella. He remained on the field
until the morning of July 4th, without suffering from hunger or thirst.

Authors note.  After his recovery he was discharged from the service on August 18, 1864.  His  disabilities were, shots through the abdomen, left thigh and the loss of the left eye.  He was paid a pension.  He re-enlisted into the service on May 11, 1867, as a hospital steward and assigned to duty at Division of Surgical Records of the Surgeon General Office.

Take note of the picture of Sergeant Morell sitting in the chair.  It shows were the ball entered his abdomen and came out the back.

Push picture to enlarge.

George H. Bowes.

ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES.

Illinois Civil War Detail Report.

Name; BOWES, GEORGE. Rank; PVT. Company: F. Unit; 8TH., IL US CAV.

Personal Characteristics. Residence: WASHINGTON, WILL CO, IL. Age: 19. Height; 5' 8. Hair: LIGHT. Eyes: GRAY. Complexion: LIGHT. Occupation: FARMER. Nativity: Illinois.

Service Record. Joined When: OCT 3, 1861. Period: 3 YRS. Remarks: DISCHARGED FOR WOUNDS RECD IN ACTION MAR 6, 1863.

Eighth Cavalry Regimental History.

Page 176, George H. Bowes of company F., was shot through the stomach, from which wound he almost miraculously recovered ; wounded at Middletown, Maryland.

Wounding of George H. Bowes.

Private George H. Bowes, 8th Illinois Cavalry, in a skirmish, September 13, 1862, was shot in the abdomen.

Captain J. D. Ludlam. 8th Illinois Cavalry, certifies that this man " was shot in a cavalry skirmish, by the enemy, near Middletown, Maryland, and left on the field. I afterward sent an ambulance and brought him in. I did not think he would live through the night. I saw him when shot ; and I was commanding the squadron."

Surgeon C. Hard, 8th Illinois Cavalry, does not refer to the case on his monthly report. As most of the wounded of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam were taken to Frederick the search for the patient was directed there, and it was found that Assistant Surgeon H. A. DuBois, in charge of Hospital No. 4, records, that Bowes entered that hospital on September 19th, with a shot wound believed to involve the intestines. The particulars of the progress and treatment of the case are not recorded. On January 5, 1863, the patient was transferred to the hospital at Camp B, Frederick, where Assistant Surgeon T. G. MacKenzie recorded the case without any details.

On March 9th, the patient was transferred to Jarvis Hospital, Baltimore, and came under the charge of Assistant Surgeon D. C. Peters, in whose language a more detailed history may be given :

"George H. Bowes, aged 19. a private in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, was transferred from Frederick, Maryland, to this hospital, March 7, 1863.

The patient states that the day previous to the battle of South Mountain his regiment was in the advance, skirmishing with the enemy, when he became engaged in a hand to hand encounter with a rebel horseman. The man fired several shots at him with his revolver, one of which took effect in his abdomen.

Private Bowes was discharged from hospital and from the military service April 2, 1863. His pension claim was admitted November 21, 1863, on his captain s certificate, already quoted, and a certificate of disability by Dr. Peters, which was substantially an extract from the foregoing report. The disability was rated as total. No further particulars are given by any pension examining surgeon. The pensioner was last paid in September, 1872, his condition being described as unchanged.

Christopher C. Frayser.

This is the medical History of Christopher C. Frayer, but its not so much about his wound that interest me, it was the adventures he must have had to take to get too the medical care he needed, I bet his story would have made a good movie or book.

Medical and Surgical history of the War of the Rebellion.

 

CASE A 1 -. Private Christopher C. Frayser, Co. C, 1st Dragoons, aged 22 years, was wounded, May W, 1856, at the Big Bend of Rogue River, in Oregon, in a fight with Indians. Dr. C. II. Crane, U. S. A., reported : " He was struck, at short range, by a large round rifle hall of the so-called Harper s Ferry make. The head of the humerus was fractured, two or three pieces were detached, and the upper part of the shaft of the hone was broken in fragments. It was at first supposed that it would be necessary to amputate at the shoulder joint. But, owing to peculiar circumstances the detachment being surrounded by a large number of Indians, and under fire for thirty hours; and as, furthermore, there was but little hemorrhage, and but alight constitutional disturbance, nothing more was done than to remove all loose fragments of bone, pieces of clothing, and other foreign bodies, and to keep cold-water applications to the wound.

This man continued to do well, and was transported, with other wounded men, by me, in a canoe, for a distance of fifty miles, on a river in which obstructions and rapids were numerous, and he had a rough transit He was then transported over more than fifty miles of precipitous mountain paths, on mule-back, and, three weeks after the reception of the wound, he was placed, in good condition, in the post hospital at Fort Orford, Oregon. I saw him some months subsequently, at Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, and his wound was nearly healed.

He told me that a number of small pieces of bone had come away during the first two months ; and that then the wound had healed. He had some use of his arm when I saw him. I afterward heard that he made a good recovery, and had an excellent use of his arm." Surgeon C. II. Laub, U. S. A., reported, from Fort Vancouver, that this soldier was discharged February 9. 1857. The records of the Pension Office show that he went to his home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and received his pension. The loss of the records of the Southern pension agencies, after the outbreak of the war, precludes the possibility of tracing the progress of the case. Dr. B. W. Robinson, of Fayetteville, wrote, in 1874, that the man had left that place.

Colonel Alvin C. Voris.

Push to enlarge.

Alvin Coe Voris.

Birth: Apr. 27, 1827, Stark County.
Death: Jul. 28, 1904, Akron, Summit County, Ohio.

Burial: Glendale Cemetery, Akron, Summit County, Ohio.

Civil War Union Brevet Major General. As a lawyer and legislator, his political career was interrupted by the Civil War. He enlisted as Sergeant in the 29th Ohio Infantry Regiment in September 1861, was promoted 2nd Lieutenant and appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the 67th Ohio Infantry Regiment on October 11, 1861. He was with the 67th throughout the Virginia campaigns, was wounded in action at Winchester in March 1862 and at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. As Colonel in command, he led the 67th in South Carolina and was wounded again at Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. For meritorious service he was brevetted Brigadier General, December 8, 1864, Major General of U.S. Volunteers, November 15, 1865 and mustered out of the regiment on December 7, 1865. After the war, he resumed the practice of law, was later elected to the Constitutional Assembly and served as judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Summit, Medina and Lorain counties, Ohio, retiring in 1896.

History of the 67th., Ohio Infantry.

The rifle ball by which Colonel Voris was wounded at Fort Wagner, split upon the ring of his sword belt, and as. on probing, only a small piece of the ball was found, it was supposed that the larger portion had glanced off without penetrating the body.  As the years passed by, after the close of the war. and his return to his professional duties, the General began to experience an abdominal trouble which finally developed into what was supposed to be an aggravated case of stone in the bladder, and finally, despairing of his life unless he could get speedy relief, in the fall of 1873 he submitted to a surgical operation when to the surprise of the surgeons, his friends, and himself, instead of a stone, three-fourths of an Enfield rifle leaden ball, weighing an ounce and one-eighth, was extracted from the bladder.

That the shot did not kill him instantly in the first place, was simply miraculous ; and that he could have carried that amount of lead in such a vital position for over ten years of a very active life, with-
out fatal results, and finally, to withstand the effects of so painful and critical an operation, not only evinces a remarkable degree of pluck, but a most vigorous constitution.

Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion.
Colonel Alvin C. Voris Medical History.

 

CASE 801. Colonel Alvin C. Voris, 67th Ohio, was wounded in an assault on Fort Wagner, Morris Island, July 18, 1863. Surgeon M. S. Kittinger, 100th New York, reported that a musket ball penetrated the left inguinal region. Surgeon J. J. Craven, U. S. V., records that this officer was received on the Hospital Steamer Cosmopolitan. July 27, 1863, taken northward, and granted leave of absence. There is no record of the treatment of the injury at this period. Brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers, for gallantry, December 8, 1864, this officer was honorably mustered out December 12, 1865. He did not apply for pension. In the Cincinnati Times, November, 1873, it is stated that General Voris had long suffered with an affection of the bladder at his home at Akron, Ohio, and that Professor S. W. Hamilton, of Columbus, on exploration detected a foreign body and performed lithotomy, when a battered Enfield rifle bullet of the usual size was extracted from the bladder. The Akron Beacon states that the physicians in attendance reported that the patient had progressed very favorably since the operation, and predicted his speedy recovery. The reporter states that the theory of the entrance of the ball into the bladder was that it had lodged in the muscular coat of the upper part of the organ, and that by gravitation and ulcerative absorption it gradually worked into the cavity. The operator, Dr. S. W. Hamilton, will doubtless print an authentic account of the case. 

Castor Seebold, 51st., Pennsylvania Infantry.

Castor Seebold.

Birth: Feb. 12, 1846.
Death: May 10, 1864.

Burial: New Berlin Cemetery, New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania.    

Mustered into service on February 19,1864 as a Private in Company E. 51st Pennsylvania Infantry. Died at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania on May 11,1864.

Medical and Surgical History of the Rebellion

Volume 3, part 1., publish date 1888.

Case 28, Private Castor Seebold, Co. E, 51st Pa.: age 19; was admitted May 7, 1861, presenting some emaciation, dry tongue, sordes ou teeth, tenderness in right iliac fossa, and restlessness, with a freiiueut pulse, 120. Next day rose-colored 8i)ot8 were observed, and he had epistaxis and diarrhoea, with a more rapid pulse. He was treated with acetate of ammonia and morphia, milk-punch, eggnog and beef-tea. He died on the 11th. Post-mortem examination four hours afterdeath: Lungs congested; heart, liver and kidneys healthy; spleen somewhat softened and congested: ileum and c;ecum very much congested; Peyer's patches and the solitary glands in the ileum much enlarged and enlarged Turner's Lane Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

William Scott, 15th., Massachusetts Infantry.

William Scott.

Birth: About 1824, England.
Death: Oct. 26, 1861

Wife: Mary Cairns Scott (____ - 1887).

Burial: Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

History of Massachusetts 15th, Infantry

 

William Scott, private, Co. I., born England, age 37, married, Spinner.  Killed at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861 

 

Library of Congress. 

 

CHAP>CCLXXXI-An Act for the relief of Mary Scott.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that  the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to allow and pay to Mary Scott, widow of William Scott, late a private in company I, Fifteenth regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, a pension at the rate of Eight dollars per month, from the Twenty-first day of October, Eighteen Hundred add Sixty-One, the date of the death of her said husband, until the Tenth day of August, Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-One, the date of the commencement of the pension heretofore allowed her, and the additional sum of two dollars per month for each child of said William Scott under sixteen years of age, to commence from the twenty-fifth day of July Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-Six, and to continue until said children shall attain the age of sixteen years.

Approver July 27, 1868. 

People Who had Accidents In 1865-1866.

 Authors Note.  This information comes from; American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
I can't seem to find the volume again, so I'm sorry to say this will be all the information there will be on the names.

John Clouden, a factory hand, a native of this country, 19 years of age, was admitted September 2, 1865, having had his right hand seriously crushed and mangled by being caught in the picker
of a cotton mill.

Michael O'Donnell, a schoolboy, five years of age, was run over by a locomotive on the North Pennsylvania Railroad on the afternoon of September 29, 1865, and was received into  the Episcopal Hospital about half an hour after the occurrence..

Patrick Dailey, an Irishman, 35 years of age, a laborer, was brought to the hospital on the evening of January 13, 1866, by a policeman who had found him lying in an intoxicated condition upon the track of the Germantown Passenger Railway, where he had been run over by a car about half an hour previously.

Wm. McMulligan, an Irishman, 50 years of age, a factory-hand, was admitted February 22, 1866, having  had his right hand injured that morning in the machinery of the factory where he worked.

Joseph K. Alderfer, 25 years of age, unmarried, a returned soldier, and a native of Pennsylvania, was admitted on Thursday, August 31st, 1865, at about ten o'clock in the morning. He stated that he had fallen an hour or two previously from a loaded wagon which he was driving, and which was overturned at the time of his fall. .

Gottlieb Jehle, a German, 21 years of age, and by occupation a gardener, was admitted to the Episcopal Hospital on Sept. 8, 1865, at about half past four in the morning, having both his upper and lower jaw broken by a kick from a horse.

James Massey, an Englishman, 39 years of age, married, a saw-grinder by occupation, was admitted to the Episcopal Hospital at about 111 A. M., on September 15, 1865, suffering from a compound depressed fracture of the frontal bone, which had been produced that morning by the bursting of a grindstone at a neighboring saw-factory. He had been sitting before the grindstone on an iron-bound " horse," by a blow from the end of which his injury was caused.

Michael Sullivan, aged fifty, an Irishman, and by occupation a laborer, was admitted into the Episcopal Hospital on the morning of October 2d, 1865, having fallen a short time previously from the third story window of a dwelling-house.

Clarence Masterson, an Irishman, 50 years of age, married, and by occupation a laborer, was admitted to the Episcopal Hospital on the morning of August 28, 1865, having been injured by falling astride of a joist in a new building where he was at work.

Charles Donald, aged 43, mariner, constitution good, received a fracture of the radius and ulna of his left forearm, produced by the fall of a spar in New Orleans, in March, 1864.

E. H. S., mate on board the U. S. S. " Chocura," aged thirty-one years, native of New York, while the vessel was lying in Tampa Bay at 7 A. M., February 22, 1866, accidentally inserted a pocket-knife blade three-fourths of an inch in width and three inches in length, in his left thigh.

Thomas Kelley, a boy of 14 years, was admitted to the Episcopal Hospital on Wednesday evening, August 16th, 1865. The following imperfect account of his case was subsequently obtained from himself and his friends  On August 3d (nearly two weeks before entering the hospital), he fell from a wagon, receiving two wounds, one over the right temporal region, and another on the left side of the head. These wounds were healing when, on August 15th, in attempting to go down stairs, he fell down the entire flight of nine steps. He received from this fall a contusion over the right eye, and had some bleeding from the mouth. He stated that he was momentarily stunned by the fall,

Charles Dougherty, 69th., Pennsylvania Infantry..

Charles Dougherty.

Birth: 1826.
Death: Apr. 23, 1864.

Burial: Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Records.

Charles Dougherty, Sergeant 69th., Pennsylvania, Co. C., mustered in August 21, 1861. Killed accidentally near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1864.  

American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 

Charles Dougherty , Sergeant Co. "C," 69th Pennsylvania Vols., 38 years of age, entered tlie Cuyler Hospital, April 18th, 1864. He liad re-enlisted, and, his furlough having expired, was on his way to join his regiment at Chester Barracks. He received his injuries by falling or jumping from the train while in motion, two days before he was received into this hospital. He had been very drunk when the accident occurred. Death 3 p. m. of the same day.

Joseph K. Alderfer Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Records.

Joseph K. Alderrfer, Private, 179th., Pennsylvania Infantry, Co. C., Mustered in November 5, 1862.  Deserted on December 1, 1862.

American Journal of the Medical Sciences.

Case I. Fracture at base of skull ; death on fourth day; autopsy.
[From Dr. Bodiiie's* notes]. 

Joseph K. Alderfer, 25 years of age, unmarried, a returned soldier, and a native of Pennsylvania, was admitted on Thursday, August 31st, 1865, at about ten o'clock in the morning. He stated that he had fallen an hour or two previously from a loaded wagon which he was driving, and which was overturned at the time of his fall. On examination there was found a great deal of ecchymosis of the left orbit. Blood was flowing from his nose and mouth, and a large quantity had been swallowed and was afterwards vomited. He complained of pain in his head, and in his left leg, which presented a fracture in the upper part of the fibula. His pulse was sixty-four, his respiratioji somewhat laboured, and his right pupil slightly contracted. He was restless, but rational.

His leg was wrapped in pillows, and ice api)lied to his head. He was ordered a teacupful of milk every four hours. The next day he complained much of headache, was very restless, and slightly delirious; pulse 68.

Sept. 2d. In the morning he was rational again, but still very restless; pulse 72. In the evening his pulse rose to 112, with great heat of surface; respirations 32 in the minute; very restless and delirious, though uot noisy; pupils of both eyes contracted.

3d, 4 A. M. Skin very hot ; pulse 120; respirations stertorous. 8.30 A. M., pulse 130; respirations 12 in the minute. Died at 9.30 A. M.

Autopsy the membranes of the brain were found very much congested, and contained about four fluidounces of reddened serum. There was also slight congestion of the brain and lateral ventricles. A fracture was found at the base of the skull arising in the left greater wing of the sphenoid bone, passing through the olivary process and right greater wing of the sphenoid, and ending in the petrous portion of the right temporal bone. There was also found a comminuted fracture of the upper end of
the left fibula.

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.

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.

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."

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

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.