- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
From Photographs of surgical cases and specimens, by United States. Surgeon-General's Office (1865), vol. I, p. 43.
"Specimen No.1335. Right Tibia and Fibula comminuted by a Cannon Ball.
"Major General D. E. Sickles, U.S. Vols., was wounded on the evening of the second day of the battle of Gettysburg, by a twelve pounder solid shot, which shattered his right leg.
"General Sickles was on horseback at the time, unattended. He succeeded in quieting his afrighted horse and in dismounting unassisted. Aid arriving promptly, he was removed a short distance to the rear to a sheltered ravine, and amputation was performed low down in the thigh by Surgeon Thomas Sim, U.S. Vols., Medical Director of the 3d Army Corps. The patient was then sent to the rear, and the following day was transferred to Washington.
"The stump healed with great rapidity. On July 16th, the patient was able to ride about in a carriage. Early in September, 1863, the stump was able to ride about in a carriage. Early in September the stump was completely cicatrized, and the general was able again, to mount his horse.
"The specimen was contributed to the Army Medical Museum by General Sickles, and the facts of the case by his staff surgeon, Dr. Sim."
Whatever one may think of Dan Sickles, he was one tough bird!
ETA: Apologies for having posted the wrong photo! It is now corrected.
"Specimen No.1335. Right Tibia and Fibula comminuted by a Cannon Ball.
"Major General D. E. Sickles, U.S. Vols., was wounded on the evening of the second day of the battle of Gettysburg, by a twelve pounder solid shot, which shattered his right leg.
"General Sickles was on horseback at the time, unattended. He succeeded in quieting his afrighted horse and in dismounting unassisted. Aid arriving promptly, he was removed a short distance to the rear to a sheltered ravine, and amputation was performed low down in the thigh by Surgeon Thomas Sim, U.S. Vols., Medical Director of the 3d Army Corps. The patient was then sent to the rear, and the following day was transferred to Washington.
"The stump healed with great rapidity. On July 16th, the patient was able to ride about in a carriage. Early in September, 1863, the stump was able to ride about in a carriage. Early in September the stump was completely cicatrized, and the general was able again, to mount his horse.
"The specimen was contributed to the Army Medical Museum by General Sickles, and the facts of the case by his staff surgeon, Dr. Sim."
Whatever one may think of Dan Sickles, he was one tough bird!
ETA: Apologies for having posted the wrong photo! It is now corrected.
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