Firewater Poisons Fire-eater!

[NH Civil War Gal]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine

#HumpDayHistory

(Civil War medicine facts to get you through the longest day of the week)

Firewater Poisons Fire-Eater

Confederate Army Colonel Roger Pryor, a former South Carolina politician, was offered the honor of firing the first shot on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861. But the Southern "fire-eater" declined, saying he "could not fire the first gun of the war." When Union Major Robert Anderson finally surrendered after two days and nights of Confederate bombardment, Pryor acted as one of General P.G.T Beauregard's surrender negotiators. While seated at a table in Sumter's hospital as the terms were dictated, Pryor accidentally drank a bottle of Iodine of Potassium, mistaking it for a bottle of whiskey. The fort's Union Army surgeon rushed Pryor outside and pumped his stomach, saving his life, demonstrating a principle that many would hold true during the coming war, including Dr. Jonathan Letterman who stated, "humanity teaches us that a wounded and prostrate foe is not then our enemy."

 

[Pollaco]

I have no idea what Iodine of Potassium tastes like ,and don't intend to find out, but you'd think the second it hit his taste buds he'd have spit it out. It seems he should have gotten educated real quickly. But he drank the whole bottle or just part of it? Poor fool must have been in desperate need of a "fix".

 

[Mike Serpa]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine

#HumpDayHistory

(Civil War medicine facts to get you through the longest day of the week)

Firewater Poisons Fire-Eater

Confederate Army Colonel Roger Pryor, a former South Carolina politician, was offered the honor of firing the first shot on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861. But the Southern "fire-eater" declined, saying he "could not fire the first gun of the war." When Union Major Robert Anderson finally surrendered after two days and nights of Confederate bombardment, Pryor acted as one of General P.G.T Beauregard's surrender negotiators. While seated at a table in Sumter's hospital as the terms were dictated, Pryor accidentally drank a bottle of Iodine of Potassium, mistaking it for a bottle of whiskey. The fort's Union Army surgeon rushed Pryor outside and pumped his stomach, saving his life, demonstrating a principle that many would hold true during the coming war, including Dr. Jonathan Letterman who stated, "humanity teaches us that a wounded and prostrate foe is not then our enemy."

This story reminds me of how silent movie actress Olive Thomas died.

 

[Sheltowee]

Great story. Just thankful Drano had not been invented yet.

 

[Library Lady]

Potassium iodide in liquid form does have a medical use that would require ingesting it, just not a whole bottle of it.

Potassium Iodide (KI)

Learn more about potassium Iodide (KI) and how it helps our bodies during a radiation emergency.

www.cdc.gov

 

[lupaglupa]

I have no idea what Iodine of Potassium tastes like ,and don't intend to find out, but you'd think the second it hit his taste buds he'd have spit it out. It seems he should have gotten educated real quickly. But he drank the whole bottle or just part of it? Poor fool must have been in desperate need of a "fix".

That was my first thought - didn't he notice?

 

[Library Lady]

Great story. Just thankful Drano had not been invented yet.

Ahh, but one of the main ingredients of Drano is sodium hydroxide which is also known as lye (or caustic soda). This was a main component in soap during the Civil War. Ingesting it was a common way to commit suicide, especially for the ladies. It causes severe burns to the mouth and GI tract. Tissue so weakened can then rupture. You'd have to be way beyond miserable to want to die this way, but it was handy and effective.

The other things you need for Drano are sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter which, I believe, was a component of gunpowder), sodium chloride (table salt) and aluminum shards. I understand that terrorists have used it in bombs. It sounds like something Josiah Gorgas could have come up with. That gent was inventive (no slam on him intended).

 

[Caddo Militia]

Gen. Roger A. Pryor (1828-1919) had a colorful career. Prior to the war, he was a U. S. Congressman from Virginia. On April 12, 1861, he was offered the opportunity to fire the first shot of the war at Fort Sumter, but declined. He became Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Inf., then was appointed Brigadier General in April, 1862. His brigade fought at Seven Days, Second Manassas, and Antietam. At Antietam, he assumed command of Anderson's Division when Anderson was wounded. His performance there was criticized as inept, and he resigned his commission. In August, 1863, he enlisted as a private and scout in the 3rd Virginia Cav. In November, 1864, he was captured and held in a Northern prison, accused of being a spy. Subsequently, he was released by order of Pres. Abraham Lincoln and returned to Virginia. After the war, he went to New York City where friends there assisted him in establishing a law office. He then became law partners with former Union General Benjamin F. Butler. He later became a Judge in the New York Court of Common Pleas.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

He then became law partners wiith former Union General Benjamin F. Butler. He later became a Judge in the New York Court of Common Pleas.

They either had very interesting conversations or never talked at all about the Civil War!

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine

#HumpDayHistory

(Civil War medicine facts to get you through the longest day of the week)

Firewater Poisons Fire-Eater

Confederate Army Colonel Roger Pryor, a former South Carolina politician, was offered the honor of firing the first shot on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861. But the Southern "fire-eater" declined, saying he "could not fire the first gun of the war." When Union Major Robert Anderson finally surrendered after two days and nights of Confederate bombardment, Pryor acted as one of General P.G.T Beauregard's surrender negotiators. While seated at a table in Sumter's hospital as the terms were dictated, Pryor accidentally drank a bottle of Iodine of Potassium, mistaking it for a bottle of whiskey. The fort's Union Army surgeon rushed Pryor outside and pumped his stomach, saving his life, demonstrating a principle that many would hold true during the coming war, including Dr. Jonathan Letterman who stated, "humanity teaches us that a wounded and prostrate foe is not then our enemy."

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Interesting story - never heard it before.

 

[Caddo Militia]

They either had very interesting conversations or never talked at all about the Civil War!

I know! He went from General to Private. Never heard of that. Then the former rebel fire-eater became law partners with one of the most reviled Union men in the South. Strange but true!

 

[Pollaco]

He was classified as a scout when he re enlisted in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry. He was really like more a courier wasn't he?