The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-05-27
A PICTURE OF WAR.
A Glance at the Army Medical Mu-
scum In Washington.

gle that closed 2l years ago we became cal
loused in a measure TO its horrors, but the gen.
Grafton now coming upon the stage of active
life knows nothing OF them. Language can
convey but faint impression of the reality.
They can only be understood by those who
have seen aud felt them.
Four years ago the writer walked through
the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, where
lie the remains of some 1900 Union soldiers.
! His companion, an Ohio lady. remarked: "We
at home, saw some of the milder phases Of war
The marching of soldiers through our streets
became a familiar sight. We felt constant
solicitude for the safety of friends at the 'front.'
and read with avidity the details of great bat
ties But nothing have ever seen, or heard
or read has given me so vivid an impression of
what war is as these long rows of graves.
know that each marks the resting place of one
who gave his life for his country. Then, when
] think that this is but one of score of these
great cities Of the dead begin TO realize some-
thing Of the awful truth"
If person desires TO see an even more start
ling picture let him visit the
ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM
in Washington. The building so occupied is
the old Ford's Theater on Tenth street, in
which President Lincoln was shot. Here are
on exhibition more than l20OO anatomical
specimens, 5000 Of which were gathered from
the battlefelds and hospitals during the late
war. IL is ghastly scene, and yet TO many it
has peculiar fascination. In the presence of
these relics of our great national struggle there
is a sacrcdness that is seldom violated by laugh
or jest. Visitors instinctively move about with
almost noseless step, speaking only in low
tones, as if the sound of their voices would do
violence 10 the sanctity of the place They
cannot keep from their minds the thought that
within those walls was enacted the tragedy
! that deprived the Nation Of its loved and hon.
ored head. As they look upon those human
bones pierced and shattered by bullet and
shell, they feel that they are, thousand times
over, in the presence Of death-gallant, heroic
death. The very air seems charged with the
| patriotic devotion OF those men who went down
in the wild storm OF battle One may often see
visitors furtiyely wiping from their eyes tears
that cannot be rcpressed.
These fragments of skeletons are methodcally
! arranged in glass cases. with numerous explana-
| tory cards for the observers information. They
/ show the nature and effect of gunshot wounds
/ in every conceivable part OF the human frame
1t is difficult TO realize that all the skulls are
/ those Of men who, few years ago, went out
from their homes full Of hope and earnest pa
| triotism; that those bones of foot and leg, and
hand, and arm, and body were once instinct
with life, carried brave men over many a weary
mile, and handled musket and cartridge-box.
There is a complete classification of injuries;
one group being those of the head, and others
der, elbow, hand spine, etc, embracing all parts
Of the body. Most OF the specimens are placed
upon wires, so perfectly arranged as TO give a
correct idea Of the fractures. To fully half the
shattered bones are attached the identical bull
lets by which the wounds were inflicted. In
many Of the larger bones the missiles are seen
just where they imbedded themselves when
they sped from the enemy's rifles.
Many Of the bones Of the leg, arm and ex-
! tremities belonged TO
MEN WHO ARE YET LIVING,
! in cases where amputations were performed
/ There is the shattered thigh bone Of man v ho
suffered amputation at the hip.joint-an opera
/ tion that is considered desperate one-and
J from which few recover. Near il, in a jar OF
alcohol, is a large section of the flesh Of the
thigh, in an excellent state representation. The
soldier Of whom these were once part is now
living in Washington, aud drops into the Mu-
scum now and then and takes look az them.
There are about 300 skulls. Many Of them
show round, cleanly-cut holes where the death
messenger entered; while Others are crushed
and rent by shell or ball.
An interesting feature OF the Museum is
/ large collection Of photographs Of amputaiions
and desperate wounds, which illustrate the
havoc made by
THE DEADLY MISSILES or WAR.
They are not pleasant TO either the eye OF the
mind Of susceptible person. Indeed there are
some persons who had better stay away from
the place altogether, for tender hearts and SEN
sitive nerves will receive many shocks. Ac-
companying each photograph is brief history
Of the case. These sketches arc all embodied
| IN the elaborate and valuable Surgical His
tory Of the War" The experience and obserya-
ton Of thousands Of Surgeons In the field con-
tributed greatly 10 the enlargement and per-
! fection OF medical and surgical science.
One Of the special features Of the museum is
q portion of the vertebral column OF John
1 Wilkes Booth, showing the course of the aveng-
ing bullet Of Boston Corbett. jar Of alcohol
contains the spleen OF Guiteau, the sight oi
which is perhaps more gratifying 10 the curl
osity than pleasing to the eye.
Among the many interesting cases detailed
in the yOluminous record is that of Private B.
s. Sheridan, 9th Mass. He was wounded al
Malvern Hill July l. 1862, by musI1et ball
which entered the right side between the ninth
and tenth ribs, passing diagonally through the
abdominal cavity, and thence out OF the body
Three days later. with portion Of the lune
protruding from the wound, he
WALKED MILE AND HALF
to the James River, in the hope OF getting on
board a gunboat He was disappointed, and
was taken prisoner and conveyed to Richmond
Three weeks elapsed, during which his wound
received very little care. Then he was ex
changed and entered the hospital at Chester
Pa. The wound was frightful one, that in
probably nine cases out OF ten would havs
proved fatal, but be recovered, aud was at hi.
own request returned 10 duty in about foul
months. He continued to serve with his regi
ment during the war, showing a fidelity aud
PLUCK" not often equaled. After the war hi
wound caused a loss Of health, and in few
years he became wholly disabled.
Another case cited conveys a faint impression
OF the suderings Of thousands. young sol
dier was wounded at Fair Oaks, May 81, 1852
Our attention." says DIR. Hamilton, "wa
called 10 him the night after the second battl,
, by one Of the Surgeons A musket ball, which
could not be found, had entered the thorax
little below the nipple. He was lying upon th'
ground in a condition Of great prostration
, The lung protruded. the hernia being about on
inch in diameter. We saw this poor fellow th
next morning lying in the same place. He hat
taken a little nourishment, such as we had b
, give him, and expressed himself as being com
Portable, although he had lain without sheIte
: two nights, during each OF which he had beei
drenched with rain. In this respect however
he suffered only in common with al least 200
= other wounded aud dying men. We cannO
omit additional tribute to the bravery Q
these noble fellows. Daring all this time-an
we were with them every moment, both nigh
and day-there was not heard one cry OF in
patience nor
, ONE MURMUR OF COMPLAINT
E beyond that which was extorted by the agon
! OF suffering When the wounded were sen
away this boy was sent with them, and W
S never saw or heard from him after"
! At Charlottesville, May 2, 1868, Lieut.
e Charles Kennedy, 2Slh Pa, was struck upo