I got shot through the stomach!

[NH Civil War Gal]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine AND The Wisconsin Historical Society! This is a wild one!

"I got shot through the stomach."

An incredible battle scar found in the Wisconsin Historical Society archives by our friends and researchers Marc and Beth Storch! History is uncovering itself everyday! Wow!

The mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share stories of the past, moving us forward as we learn about history! Our researchers constantly uncover relics of the past. Sometimes, objects seem frozen in time, teaching us exactly what somebody experienced or endured at a particular point in history.

This is a diary from the Civil War kept by Alfred Bolton. You may notice the bullet hole in his diary, a fascinating relic of his injury and time spent in the "New Company H" of the 16th Infantry. Bolton was a farmer from Bridge Creek in Eau Claire County who was enlisted into the war on December 31, 1863. On July 21, 1864, he was severely wounded in the abdomen in a battle near Atlanta, Georgia. He spent the next several months in a hospital and in 1865 was transferred to the "Veterans Reserve Corps." Bolton was shot in the stomach. You can see where the bullet perforated his diary, where his inscriptions offer glimpses into his life on the front.

On July 20, Bolton writes, it was the "hottest day of the year." On July 21, he writes around the hole, and notes that "I got shot through the stomach." The damage of the bullet obstructs Bolton's writings, but you can still read his comments around its empty incision.

This diary was brought to the attention of the Wisconsin Historical Society by two of its regular Civil War researchers, Marc and Beth Storch.

: Wisconsin Historical Society archives

 

[CWdiaryPA]

Wow, what a story. I wonder if, when he joined up for the war, his family had an old diary laying around that they'd begun collecting weather info in at the start of 1858, then didn't use up the rest of it (these small leatherbounds having the usual use of weather records for crops). So when Alfred enlisted, he grabbed the little notebook and threw it in his rucksack to take with. It's amazing he lived after this injury, much less his long hospital stay. Must have been a strong feller.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine AND The Wisconsin Historical Society! This is a wild one!

"I got shot through the stomach."

An incredible battle scar found in the Wisconsin Historical Society archives by our friends and researchers Marc and Beth Storch! History is uncovering itself everyday! Wow!

The mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share stories of the past, moving us forward as we learn about history! Our researchers constantly uncover relics of the past. Sometimes, objects seem frozen in time, teaching us exactly what somebody experienced or endured at a particular point in history.

This is a diary from the Civil War kept by Alfred Bolton. You may notice the bullet hole in his diary, a fascinating relic of his injury and time spent in the "New Company H" of the 16th Infantry. Bolton was a farmer from Bridge Creek in Eau Claire County who was enlisted into the war on December 31, 1863. On July 21, 1864, he was severely wounded in the abdomen in a battle near Atlanta, Georgia. He spent the next several months in a hospital and in 1865 was transferred to the "Veterans Reserve Corps." Bolton was shot in the stomach. You can see where the bullet perforated his diary, where his inscriptions offer glimpses into his life on the front.

On July 20, Bolton writes, it was the "hottest day of the year." On July 21, he writes around the hole, and notes that "I got shot through the stomach." The damage of the bullet obstructs Bolton's writings, but you can still read his comments around its empty incision.

This diary was brought to the attention of the Wisconsin Historical Society by two of its regular Civil War researchers, Marc and Beth Storch.

: Wisconsin Historical Society archives

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Truly interesting post, @NH!

 

[ErnieMac]

Apparently his wound caught up with him. From the Eau Claire (WI) Free Press dated 24 Feb 1870. Find A Grave link follows.

PVT Alfred G Bolton (1828-1870) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Veteran Enlisted 1862 under Capt. Whipple. Wounded July 22 1864 during the storming of Atlanta. His wounds deemed him unfit for duty and he returned to Augusta and worked as a merchant.

www.findagrave.com

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Apparently his wound caught up with him. From the Eau Claire (WI) Free Press dated 24 Feb 1870. Find A Grave link follows.
View attachment 547579

PVT Alfred G Bolton (1828-1870) - Find a Grave...

Civil War Veteran Enlisted 1862 under Capt. Whipple. Wounded July 22 1864 during the storming of Atlanta. His wounds deemed him unfit for duty and he returned to Augusta and worked as a merchant.

www.findagrave.com

Good find. Good post, @ErnieMac.

 

[ErnieMac]

The 16th Wisconsin Infantry was part of BG Manning Force's First Brigade of BG Mortimore Leggett's Third Division of MG Frank Blair's Seventeenth Corps of MG James McPherson's Army of the Tennessee. On July 21, 1864, the 16th Wisconsin alongside of the 12th Wisconsin spearheaded the Federal assault on Bald Hill outside Atlanta. The two Wisconsin regiments suffered significant casualties during their successful attack. Bald Hill was the focal point of Confederate attacks the following day in the Battle of Atlanta.

 

[Marc Storch]

It was truly a thrill to find that diary as we were searching the records of the 16th Wis. Inf. Never cease to be amazed at what is out there to still be discovered!

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

It was truly a thrill to find that diary as we were searching the records of the 16th Wis. Inf. Never cease to be amazed at what is out there to still be discovered!

Were you part of the group that actually found it? If so, that's AMAZING that one of our members got to be part of this historic event! What a wonderful thing to hold that diary! Has it been transcribed yet?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Thought that abdominal gunshot wounds in this period were generally fatal (this of course depended on several factors). The diary shown here appears to have borne the brunt of the projectile's impact, perhaps lessening the severe effects on the organs at the time.

This soldier may not have been as lucky at first thought, however, at having survived at the time of his wounding. It seems he may have suffered a slow death as a direct consequence of it.

 

[Spinifex]

From The National Museum of Civil War Medicine AND The Wisconsin Historical Society! This is a wild one!

"I got shot through the stomach."

An incredible battle scar found in the Wisconsin Historical Society archives by our friends and researchers Marc and Beth Storch! History is uncovering itself everyday! Wow!

The mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share stories of the past, moving us forward as we learn about history! Our researchers constantly uncover relics of the past. Sometimes, objects seem frozen in time, teaching us exactly what somebody experienced or endured at a particular point in history.

This is a diary from the Civil War kept by Alfred Bolton. You may notice the bullet hole in his diary, a fascinating relic of his injury and time spent in the "New Company H" of the 16th Infantry. Bolton was a farmer from Bridge Creek in Eau Claire County who was enlisted into the war on December 31, 1863. On July 21, 1864, he was severely wounded in the abdomen in a battle near Atlanta, Georgia. He spent the next several months in a hospital and in 1865 was transferred to the "Veterans Reserve Corps." Bolton was shot in the stomach. You can see where the bullet perforated his diary, where his inscriptions offer glimpses into his life on the front.

On July 20, Bolton writes, it was the "hottest day of the year." On July 21, he writes around the hole, and notes that "I got shot through the stomach." The damage of the bullet obstructs Bolton's writings, but you can still read his comments around its empty incision.

This diary was brought to the attention of the Wisconsin Historical Society by two of its regular Civil War researchers, Marc and Beth Storch.

: Wisconsin Historical Society archives

View attachment 547572

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View attachment 547574

Wow thanks for sharing! The images of the diary are fascinating!

 

[Marc Storch]

Were you part of the group that actually found it? If so, that's AMAZING that one of our members got to be part of this historic event! What a wonderful thing to hold that diary! Has it been transcribed yet?

Yes, my wife and I regularly research down at the Wisconsin Historical Society and one of the items we pulled was this one! Didn't realize it would have the bullet hole in it as the description was that it was just his diary. As with any large institution, the details of the collection are unknown to the staff, so as we have gone through their holdings regiment by regiment we have discovered some great stories and items.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Yes, my wife and I regularly research down at the Wisconsin Historical Society and one of the items we pulled was this one! Didn't realize it would have the bullet hole in it as the description was that it was just his diary. As with any large institution, the details of the collection are unknown to the staff, so as we have gone through their holdings regiment by regiment we have discovered some great stories and items.

What a thrill for you guys!

 

[Marc Storch]

What a thrill for you guys!

It is. Best job in retirement we could ask for!

 

[Peace Society]

Thought that abdominal gunshot wounds in this period were generally fatal (this of course depended on several factors). The diary shown here appears to have borne the brunt of the projectile's impact, perhaps lessening the severe effects on the organs at the time.

This soldier may not have been as lucky at first thought, however, at having survived at the time of his wounding. It seems he may have suffered a slow death as a direct consequence of it.

Here's the account of a guy who survived it.

Actual instance of "biting the bullet"

Chickamauga, September 19-20, 1863​

It was now a month since I had been wounded. The surgeon in charge told me the bullet could not be taken out and that he would not attempt it.

I had been in the practice four years with my preceptor, who was a fine surgeon. I had assisted the surgeons often when crowded with work. From day to day I called my case to the notice of the surgeon. He still flatly refused to do the work for me. I now made up my mind to do it myself, with the assistance of a young widow nurse…. I asked her if she would bring me the necessary instruments, while the surgeon was gone to his dinner. She said, "Yes, and I will help you, too." I told her to get some hot water, some carbolic acid, two pairs of scissors, one curved pair, a sharp knife, a blunt, curved hook. She had all these ready when the doctor started to dinner. I asked her to bring me a bullet, a Minie ball. I got very busy at once. The nurse also brought me six surgeon's needles threaded with cat-gut sutures. I placed the bullet between my teeth to bite on while doing this work, for I knew it would hurt badly.

I took up the blunt, curved hook and slowly introduced it into the wound by a slight rotary, oscillating movement from side to side. I rested a short time, for it was very painful. I pressed it further in until I felt that I had gotten the hook over the bowel. I slowly drew the bowel toward the opening, which had sloughed considerably, and left a large hole in my side. The cut in the bowel could be plainly seen. I now placed a roll of bandages in the loop of the bowel between it and my side, to keep the bowel from slipping back into the cavity. Then I took the curved scissors, snipped off the sloughing, ragged edges to freshen them. I was gritting my teeth upon the bullet. Cold perspiration was pouring off my face and body. I must not and could not stop now.

There was a horrid fascination about it. I was suffering torture. I held my breath. [Once the bullet was out] the widow handed me the curved, threaded needles; I dreaded these more than the cutting., but with a renewed determination, I placed six stitches in my bowel; I then tightened these alternately, so as to have the fresh edges fit closely without puckering. Having drawn all up tightly, I took sponges and moistened them in hot water and bathed the bowel, removing all the blood clots. I took a large syringe and washed out the cavity thoroughly. After cleansing the gut wound I placed eight stitches in the outside wound.

The operation was finished. The cold perspiration was standing in great beads upon my face and body. I was frozen almost to death. The work finished, I looked up into the face of this heroic, beautiful woman. Both of us fell in a dead faint across the cot. The doctor stood in the doorway and saw this last scene. He came forward, swearing like a madman, picked up the beautiful widow and carried her to her own room. Unconscious, I lay oblivious to passing events.

I learned, after my return to life, that the doctor said: "Let the fool die, if he will"; he was also heard to say some very tender and endearing words while bending over this dear young widow.

After a while the surgeon came to my cot and said in a very gruff tone, "You have played hell, haven't you. I hope you are satisfied." I replied, "Doctor, I am not entirely satisfied, but will be as soon as I am well and strong enough to slap your jaws for your insults…"

… I was healthy and vigorous at the time I received these wounds, and my recovery was uninterrupted. I am sure that mine was one of the few recoveries from such a bowel wound. Most patients would have given up without an effort, and died. At this period surgeons regarded wounds of the bowels as necessarily fatal. When I was wounded, I had not drawn my rations, nor eaten anything, save some parched corn, for five days. I feel certain that if I had been well fed my wound would have killed me.

I received the most diligent and kind attention. On the 15th of November, following, I began to hobble about on crutches. My leg was also healing rapidly. My friend, Captain Fulton, took me out riding. The warm sunshine, fresh air and exercise were very beneficial to both of us. I was, from this time on, a welcome guest in any home in this fine little settlement.



Colonel Thomas F. Berry

Four Years with Morgan and Forrest

Oklahoma City, Harlow-Ratliff Co, 1914

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I've read of people performing their own amputations under extraordinary circumstances, but never anyone doing this type of abdominal surgery on themselves

 

[SethJ]

I've read of people performing their own amputations under extraordinary circumstances, but never anyone doing this type of abdominal surgery on themselves

I've heard of having to to makeshift field amputations... But self amputation? Eugh.. Hearing or rock climbers having to do that makes me just as sick as hearing a soldier under fire having to... But self-abdominal surgery..? I'm good thanks.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Here's the account of a guy who survived it.

To perform that procedure on himself in those conditions without any form of anesthetic, and to still maintain his presence of mind, was an incredible feat (even with his medical knowledge).

Included in the Find-a-Grave listing for Col. (later Dr.) Thomas Berry is an article about him in the 'Tulsa World' newspaper published on May 31, 1914. According to this description he apparently received over the course of the war twenty one (21) bullet wounds, two (2) saber cuts and two (2) bayonet thrusts (not to mention his many captures and prison escapes). He also carried three of these lead bullets inside of his body without admitting any ill-effects, until his death in 1917, aged 85 years.

If all of this were true, he is indeed a 'survivor' in the truest sense of the word, as well as being revealed as a remarkable combatant of the CW.

Dr Thomas Franklin Berry (1832-1917) - Find a...

Captain, 2nd Dukes Ky. Cavalry. Author: Four years with Morgan and Forrest.

www.findagrave.com

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

If all of this were true

It does seem a bit over the top….I'm ashamed of myself for being cynical.

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

It is. Best job in retirement we could ask for!

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

How does the public go about searching at the Wisconsin Historical Society? Are you searching in Madison?