The National tribune., 1883-09-20
FIRST AMPUTATION.
Some "reminiscences Called Out by Mr.. Hangers
Narrative.
[FFon, the Madison (I,.d) Courier.l

[FFona the Madison (T,,d.) Courier.l
Captain WALLACE FOSTER.
DEAR CAPTAIN: The Madison Courier, of
the 1st inst, per your favor, is at hand. The
lengthy article relating to the first amputa-
ton of the late war is mostly true. James E.
Hanger, of Virginia, is the subject of that am
putation. He was shot by a cannon bali June
3, 1861, at Philippi, West Virginia 1 was
among the first to be with him. Dr. Robinson,
OF Ohio, led In the operation. ] assisted, and
dressed the leg after that while the troops re-
mained at Philippi. A few days after this
affair an attack on the town was expected, and
Hanger was sent to the country, near five miles,
to the country home of Thomas Hit, and |
there visited him and dressed his wound until
the same was nearly healed, was surgeon of
the Seventh Indiana infantry regiment, and not
the Ninth, as stated In that article.
The same letter speaks of the wounding of
Colonel b. +. Kelly, of the First West Virginia
infantry. he was shot throught the right lung
by rebel named Sims, and he was captured by
the Seventh Indiana men, and then sent to the
Columbus (Ohio) prison. / dressed Colonel
Kelly's wound cut the bullet from beneath the
skin of his back, it having passed through him
thus far. Kelly was carried from the field by
the men of the Seventh Indiana regiment.
On our march to Philippi in the early dawn
Of that morning. in a heavy rain, as Colonel
Dumont passed in front of house by the road
SIDE, a rebel woman fired the first shot at u.s.
grazing Private (since colonel VIII. c. Banta
de fired at her in return. An intervening
decreasing saved her from the bullet as he
fired a deadly aim. These were the first shots
we had.
Among other things of which the Seventh
Indiana was first: A man Of that regiment shot
and killed the first rebel general that fell III
the war.
am, Captain, yours, truly,
G. w. NEW, NJ D.,
Late Surgeon, 9TH Regt Ind. Vol. Inf'y.
A COMRADES COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE.
The Doctor speaks of a soldier of the Seventh
Indiana having killed the first rebel general
that fell in the war. 1t was General Garnett
that he has reference to. At Carriek's Ford, on
Cheat River, the brave general made a stand,
after being pursued by our troops all day, but
after losing a number of his men and having
several cannon disabled, y he retreated short
distance, crossed Cheat River, and while at
tempting 10 rally his soldiers for another fight
he was killed by brave HooSier soldier of the
Seventh regiment, who no doubt remembered
Buena Vista"
Mr.. Homer Sering of this city, has one of the
two cannon balls fired at the time Mr J. E.
Hanger lost his leg. The ball was brought here
from Virginia by Captain Jos. G. Marshall, who
was member of Captain Rufus Gales COM
pany, Sixth Indiana. Mr.. Sering says he keeps
the ball in his parlor as a trophy of the war
He has been under the impression that it was
the missile that shattered Hangers leg; at least
Captain Marshall informed him it was when he
presented it to him. Mr. Hanger claims to be
in possession of the identical one, while it re-
mains an undecided question in Mr.. Servings
mind. PHI.Ix ADAIR
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.