Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-01-30

I
ceived in all Of NV army service was from
the brute that called himself an army sur
geon He appeared TO be void Of all feel
ing for humanity, aud seemed TO delight in
torturing wounded men as much as a saw
age After the splints had been taken from
my leg, and had been rolled about for his
qualification. I was carried across the room
on a blanket When begged to have the
splints put on my leg so as to keep it in
place he ordered them thrown out the back
side of the house During the afternoon
one of the nurses brought them back TO me,
aud also some bricks, which we placed
around my foot and leg After we got it
into shape | realized for the first time that
there was virtue in the soft side of a brick
The night of the / lth was one of great
pain The long hours were passed without
sleep, and this day was one of a struggle
for life That evening as nr William j.
Saving of the I'd Vermont came through
the room from caring for Lieut. John j.
Bane of the same regiment, member OF
Gen l.. A. Grants staff, ! called him 70
me and told him my story. 1t was his kind
hands that fixed me up, gave me quiet
ing powder, and spoke cheerful words TO
me, and ! passed through the night very
nicely God bless him, he has now gone
10 his reward He said TO me This is
not my place in this room. | am very
tired have amputated 100 limbs today. "
Many were the kind favors and nice things
to eat aud drink that he sent me by my
friend, Peter Mulligan, while | was in the
city Of Fredericksburg On the 18th it was
decided that five in this room were to have
their legs amputated. There was nothing
pleasant to those of us who discussed the
results that would follow. We did not wish
to take part in any of this business.
On the 18th one of our number was taken
up stairs IN the morning to have his leg
amputated. He was soon brought back
without the operation being performed
Tears were in his eyes and he was nearly
broken down with grief 50 that he could
not tell what was the trouble, but we soon
learned that the doctors thought mortified
ton had set in, and it was useless TO do any
thing more for him The poor fellows
greatest desire was to write letter home
TO his wife and children in Massachusetts,
but he was destitute of anything to write
with. He was soon provided with writing
materials and he sat up and wrote his
farewell message to those who we're so dear
to him Those words penned while his
eyes were dim with tears, would also bring
the tears to other eyes as they were read at
home Tears of sorrow are seen, but the
throbs of the aching heart are unknown
We tried to speak words Of cheer to him
but our fate was unknown to us so there
was not much cheer in us 1t was a sol
eRu time TO all who witnessed it, and one
that shall not forget Very soon two
surgeons came in TO look after the rvsy -
us The result of the counsel over me was
that there would not be more than one
chance in 100 for me if amputation was
performed and as | was young and in good
health | might pull through with good care
| took the chance that youth afforded me-
and now, y years after, | tell my own
story. There were others who were GRIP
Piled for life, and who suffered all but death,
still. whatever fate betide us, comrades of
the flag are we.
May 4th | had my leg put in box which
was the most comfortable way it had been
fixed The 18th was Sunday and | was
feeling quite comfortable. This was Gods
holy day. but death did not respect the
day, nor spare one of our number who had
passed through the shock of battle, endured
the long and painful journey from the viii
derness. suffered the loss of foot, patient
lv waited through the long days and nights
of ceaseless pain, when his eyes would catch
the sight Of home and friends He had
passed beyond the bounds of time
One by one, we soon shall gather
not as We have gathered here,
Bound and broken. but the rather
Ia eternal youth appear.
The 10Th was day of rejoicing for us
all, as the supply train came in, and we re-
ceived more and better rations Up to this
time our hill of fare had not been very
elaborate. The eth | received a very de
lightfu treat was taken from the floor
and put on a rough board bunk, and one
of the sanitary commission gave me a white
shirt in exchange for mine that had worn
ever since / left camp. | think it was the
most lively garment that | ever parted
with Our genial friend seemed to take
great delight in making the lively exchange
The 18th the weather was quite warm and
the flies became more and more troublesome
every day, owing to the odor that arose
from the wounds, and one was obliged to
exercise great care to keep them from his
wounds Many a poor fellow lost his life
from this cause, not having strength to
keep the vermiu off.
About this time Gov Smith arrived with
force Of doctors, from the state, to look
after and care for the wounded men One
of these noble men from the town of Brigh-
ton was assigned to our room. He was a
welcome guest, for he had not been over
worked as our army surgeon had been for
two weeks, and we now had good care, for
our wounds were dressed every day. The
2Oth our new friend from the state was
with us early in the morning with his
nurses, ready to dress our wounds Five
of us, with fractured thighs, were there
Our friend who wrote his farewell letter
home to his wife and children was with us
as clipper as any of us. 1t was proved by
cutting the ball out of his leg that it was the
blood settled under the skin and not morti-
fication as at first supposed.
1t was known by measurement that we
all had leg from four TO four and one-half
inches short, lap fracture We were
made to understand that it was simply nee
essary to pull these legs back into shape
How was il TO be done. That the doctors
had the muscle TO do it, none of us doubted
Who would he the first TO have a leg pull
ed' None of us was anxious to show our
bravery. | was the youngest, therefore
they were all willing to give the boy the
first and best chance, TO show how much
grit he had left This was the way it was
done. My bunk was just the right height
and as ! lay under an open window threw
my arms over my head and clasped my
fingers under the window sill outside The
doctor took hold of my ankle, put his foot
firmly against the end of my bunk, and
with one strong pull brought the bones to-
gether into place. A shock passed through
me that caused me TO loosen my grip, but
the job was done The pain that shook my
whole frame was severe. Could | have
given vent to my feelings in sighs and tears
hay lfaf 70
my boyish pride would not permit me TO
do 50. must be a soldier, and it was not
manly for a soldier to do either. The other
four did not have as good chance as did,
so they had to be held by two men. The
doctor was obliged 10 pull several times on
each of them before he could get the bones
back into place. The operation must have
been terribly painful. Our wounds had be-
come very tender, even to the touch but
we nerved ourselves for the occasion, try
to excel each other in courage
The 2lst was a quiet day with us, with
a talk that we were 10 he moved back TO
Washington TO the hospital The 92d, Sun
day, we had short sermon by one of the
chapains. All the wounded that could
walk or help themselves in any way had
been taken back to the boat We we're
anxious TO get to some general hospital
The 23d was the day we were 20 be taken
to Washington, so we were carried out into
the large front yard. l laid there ali day
and that night, waiting to be taken into an
ambulance. They were long hours TO wait,
but had been learning patience. had
new experience that night My pain was
quite severe and by deceiving the nurse |
got my second quieting powder, which
came near being my last | fell into
stupor, perfectly free from pain. with a
very silly feeling, without power TO smile or
even open my eyes. | knew all that was
being said and done all night. The 94th
laid in the yard all day till dark, and was then
taken back into the same house. Most of
the wounded had been taken away bv this
time. DR.. Saving sent me a feast of good
things by my good, faithful friend, Peter