Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-05-16
A TGucl,ing scene.


Twas conversing not long since, with
a returned volunteer.
Il was in the hospitalas nurse, for
long time" said he, and assisted in Ia
king off limbs and dressing all sorts of
wounds; but the hardest thing ever did
was to take my thumb off a mans leg"
"Ah y said I, chow was that" Then
he told me:
/, 1T was a yeung man who had severe
wound in the thigh. The ball passed
completely through and amPutation was
ueces>aEg--Ihe-Emb WAS -cnt off close
ND to the body, the arteries taken up,
and he seemed to be doing Well Sab
seouently one of the small arteries slough
ed off. An incision was made and it
was aga.n taken up. f'Itis' we'll it was
not the main artery said the surgeon,
as he performed the operation; 'he might
have bled to death before it could have
been taken up But Charley got on
finely, and was a favorite with US all.
II was passing through the ward, one
night, about midnight, as | was passing
Charley's bed, he spoke TO me; H.
my leg is bleeding again | threw back
the bed clothes, and the blood spirited in
the air. The main artery had sioughed
of.
"Fortunatelv knew just what to do,
and in an instant had pressed my thumb
on the place and stopped the bleeding
1t was so close to the body that there
was barely room foi keeping it there,
aud arousing one Of the convalescents,
sent him for the surgeon, who came IN
on the run. i am so thankful, H
sail he, as he saw me, that you were up
aal knew what to do. for he must have
bed to death before | could have got
here.
"But on examination of the case, he
looked exceedingly serious, and sent out
for other surgeons. All came who were
within reach, AID a consultation was held
over tue poor fellow. One conclusion
was reached by all. There was no place
to work save the spot where my thumb
was placed; they could not work under
my thumb, and if moved, he would
bleed to death before the artery could be
taken up. There was no way to save
his life.
Poor Charley. He was very calm
when they told him, and requested that
| his brother who was in The same hospi-
| ial, might be called up. He came and
sat down by the bedside, and for three
hours | stood, aud by the pressure Of
my thumb kept up the life of Charey
while the brothers had their last CONFER
sation on earth. 1t was a strange place
for me to be in, to feel that held the
life of fellow mortal in my bands, as
it were, and stranger yet, to feel that an
act of mine must cause that life to de-
part Loving the poor fellow as | did,
it was n hard thought; but there was DC
alternative.
The last words were spoken. Charley
! had arranged all his business affairs, and
/ sent tender messages to absent ones,
| who little dreamed how near their loved
one was 10 the grave. The tears filed
my ewes more than once rs listened to
! those parting words. All were sad, and
he turned to me. CHOW, H | guess
Won had better take off your thumb. =
40. Charley how can ?" said |. But
-. l., - l-..v~-,- iro roT'itv,a vhvvr
fully. 1 thank you very much for your
kindness, and now, good bye
''He turned away his head, [ raised
my thumb. once more the life current
rushed forth, and in three minutes poor
Charley WAS dead