The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-05-01
A Touching Scene.

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was conversing not long since with re.
turned volunteer.
81 was in the hospital as nurse, for long
time," said he, "and assisted in taking off
limbs, and dressing all sorts Of. w.annds; but
the hardest thing Lever did was to take my
thumb off mans leg"
sAhp' said /, chow was that ?" Then he
told me.
1t was young man, who had q severe
wound in the thigh. The ball passed COM
pletely through, and amputation was necessa-
~. The limb was CIT off close up to the boz
dy, the arteries taken up, and he seemed to
be doing well. Subsequently one Of the small
arteries sloughed off An incision was made
and it was again taken up. ut is we'll it was
not the main artery" said the surgeon as he
performed the operation; che might have bled
to death before We could have taken it up
But Charley got on finely, and was fayorite
with US all.
I was passing through the ward one night
about midnight, when suddenly as was pass
ing Charley's bed he spoke me: H., my
leg is bleeding again" threw ba the bed
clothes, and the blood spirited in the air. The
main artery had sloughed off.
Fortunately knew just what to do, and in
an instant had pressed my thumb Oil the
place and stopped the bleeding. II was SO
close to the body that there was barely room
for my thumb; but l succeeded in keeping it
there and arousing one Of the convaleseents,
sent him for the surgeon, who came in on the
run. 81 am SO thankful, H said he as
he saw me, sthat you were up and knew what
to do, for he must have bled to death before
could have got here"
But on examination in the case he locked
exceedingly serious and sent out for other
surgeons. All came who were within reach,
and a consultation was held over the poor fell
low 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 it be
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 hospital, might be call
ed up. He came and sat down by the bed
side, and for three hours | stood. and by the
pressure of my thumb kept up the life of Char
ley, while the brothers had their last CONVEX
sation on earth. 1t was strange place for me
to be in, to feel that had the life Of fellow
mortal in my hands, as itwsre, and stranger
yet, to feel that an act Of mine must cause
that life to depart. Loving the poor fellow as
/ did, it was hard thoug ht; but there was
no 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 stood to the
grave. The tears filled my eyes more than
once as listened to those parting words
All were said and he turned to me. III,
guess you had better take off your thumb"
go, Charley how can I ?" l said. But i,
must be, you know" he replied cheerfnlly-
81 thank you very much for your kindness
and now, good bye"
He turned away his head. I raised m,
thumb, once more the life current gushess
forth, and IN three minutes poor Charley wa
dead. z-..l.5