- Joined
- Sep 10, 2013
- Location
- Mustered Out
The men who lost their lives in the war were a tragedy but their suffering was over; other than the loved ones who were left behind. The men who were injured in the war sometimes by even minor wounds were left with a legacy of pain and suffering that they would endure until they were "called home".
One of those men who was horribly injured was General Henry Barnum. Wounded severely at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862 his men left him for dead. Despite his capture and eventual release his condition improved enough for him to return to service and receive two additional wounds during the war.
The pictures seen here are from his wound received at Malvern's Hill.
Taken from the website of the NMHM.
THE CASE OF MAJOR GENERAL HENRY BARNUM
Major General Henry A. Barnum of the 12th New York was injured at Malvern Hill, Va. on July 1, 1862, by a musket ball that passed through his left lower abdomen. The ball penetrated his intestines and hip bone. The wound was considered fatal and he was left in a field hospital. A few days later he was captured and taken 18 miles to Libby Prison. Fifteen days later he was transported 17 miles and exchanged. In October, the wound was opened and several bone fragments were removed. He was promoted to Colonel in January of 1863 and sent back to the field. A year later, Barnum visited a private physician who pushed a probe through the wound causing a large abscess to drain. In order to keep the wound draining, the physician threaded a probe with a strip of oakum and passed it through the wound. Barnum wore a thread through the wound his entire life. He was promoted to Brigadier General and was also injured in battles at Kenesaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek, Ga.. Barnum died of pneumonia at the age of 65 still wearing a thread through the wound.
One of those men who was horribly injured was General Henry Barnum. Wounded severely at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862 his men left him for dead. Despite his capture and eventual release his condition improved enough for him to return to service and receive two additional wounds during the war.
The pictures seen here are from his wound received at Malvern's Hill.
Taken from the website of the NMHM.
THE CASE OF MAJOR GENERAL HENRY BARNUM
Major General Henry A. Barnum of the 12th New York was injured at Malvern Hill, Va. on July 1, 1862, by a musket ball that passed through his left lower abdomen. The ball penetrated his intestines and hip bone. The wound was considered fatal and he was left in a field hospital. A few days later he was captured and taken 18 miles to Libby Prison. Fifteen days later he was transported 17 miles and exchanged. In October, the wound was opened and several bone fragments were removed. He was promoted to Colonel in January of 1863 and sent back to the field. A year later, Barnum visited a private physician who pushed a probe through the wound causing a large abscess to drain. In order to keep the wound draining, the physician threaded a probe with a strip of oakum and passed it through the wound. Barnum wore a thread through the wound his entire life. He was promoted to Brigadier General and was also injured in battles at Kenesaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek, Ga.. Barnum died of pneumonia at the age of 65 still wearing a thread through the wound.