The Litchfield County post., 1828-11-13

ton was to examine the arms, which near
ly retained their original size. and presen-
ted muscular appearance.
On lifting a. the right arm, We found il
was diSpOSsessed Of its hand. We might,
therefore, naturally conjecture that it had
been amputated, as the bone presented a
fiat appearance, as if sawn off by some
sharp instrument. On searching under the
cloths, to our no small establishment, we
found the hand, or rather a humber Of
small bones enclosed in separate cloth.
For about six inches up the arm,t the flesh
had wasted away, being evidently smaller
than the lower part of the left arm,to which
ths hand was firmly united, and which pre-
sented no symptoms of decay, further than
the two bones of the fore6nger loose. E.
ven the nails remained entire, Of which we
saw no appearance, in the cloth containing
the remains of the right hand.
AT this process of the investigation, we
were perfectly satisfied, independently of
the result Of any further examination, such
a striking coincidence as the loss of the
right hand would justify our belief in Sir
Robert Pye's statement to the Harley,s,
that his presentation pistol was the inno-
cent cause of wound which afterwards
proved mortal. 1t was, however, possible
that at the same moment, in the heat of the
action at Chalgrave, when Col. Hampden
discharged his adversary's ball might
wound him in the shoulder; for he was
soon after observed, as was stated by Sir
Philip Warwick, with his head hanging
down, and his hands leaning upon his
horses neck.
In order to corroborate or disprove the
different statements, relative to his having
been wounded in the shoulder, close ex-
of each took place.
The clavicle of the right shoulder, was
firmly united to the scapula, nor did there
appear any confusion or indentation that
evinced symptoms Of any wound ever hav-
ing been inflicted. The left shoulder. on
the contrary, was smaller and sunken n,as
if the clavicle had been displaced. To re-
move all doubts, ii was adjudged necessary
to remove the arms, which were ampu ated
with penknlie.
The socket ofthe right arm was perfect
ly white and healthy, and the clavicle firm
ly united to The scapula, nor was there
the least appearances of Commissions or
wounds
The socket Of the left shoulder, on the
contrary, was of brownish cast, and the
clavicle being found quite loose, and disu-
nited from the scapula, proved that disloca-
ion had taken place. The bones, how
ever, were quite perfect. Such dislocation
therefore, must have arisen either from the
force of ball, or from Col Hampden hav-
ing fallen from his horse, when he lost the
power Of holding the reins, by reason of
his hand being SO dreadfully shattered.--
The latter in all probability was the case,
as it would be barely possible for a ball to
pass through the shoulder without some
fracture either of the clavlcle or the soap
ula.
In order to examine the head and hair,
The body was raised up and supported with
a shovel upon removing the cloth which
firmly to the back of the head, we
found the hair in complete state
of preservation. 1t was of dark auburn I
color, and according 10 the custom of the
times, was very long, from five to six inch
es. II was drawn up and tied round at the
top of the head with black thread or silk.
The ends had the appearance of having
been cut of. On taking hold of the top
knot, it soon gave way and came off like a
wig.
Here singular scene presented itself.
The worm of corruption was employed,the
skull in some places being perfectly bare,
whilst in others, the skin remained nearly
entire, upon which we discovered num-
Der of maggots and small red worms on the
feed with great activity. This was the en-
ly spot where any symptom Of life was ape
parent, az if the brain contained a vital
principle within it, which engendered its
own destruction otherwise, how can we
account, after lapse of nearly two centu-
ries, in finding living creatures preying up
on the seat of intellect, when they were
no where else to be found, in no other part
of the body? He was feet 9 inches in
height, apparently of great muscular pow
err, of vigorous and robust frame fore
head broad and high, the skull altogether
we'll formed, such an one as the Imagination
would conceive capable OF great exploits.
Here close the narrative-One ofsIngular
interest to those who were eye witnesses
to the examination, which presented a