Mike Serpa
Major
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2013
Many people have asked me, “Who was the most severely injured person to survive the war?” I finally found the answer. This photo is exactly as it is at the National Archives. No digital manipulation was done to this photo. No restoration or funny business. Click the link to see the photo at its source.
General Alexander “Mountain” Mistook commanded the the Second Division of the First Army (USA) against the Fourth Division of the Third Army of the Confederacy on the fifth day at the Battle of Six Oaks.
His plan to attack at The Angle was obtuse. He directed Col. Wilson “Riot” MacKenzie to take the dirt removed in making the Dutch Gap Canal and fill in the Sunken Road. Then he would lead his 50,000 to men to a sure vitcory over his old classmate General Jeremiah Butternut.
(Mistook’s most stunning victory occurred when his men hit the Rebels with hot lead at Cold Harbor. He learned this tactic as a child when his father took him to the Eastern Theater to see “Birth of a Nation.”)
In the heat of the battle an enemy shell explode near Mistook. His trusty steed, Mrs. Peel, reared high and fell to one side crushing Mistook underneath. Col. MacKenzie hollered for some men to rescue the beloved general. As they pulled him from under the dead carcass he mumbled, “I’m very sore... too stiff to move.”
MacKenzie explained to Misook the importance of evacuating him away from the action. “I’m stiff, not dead,” responded the general. Another shell exploded nearby and Mackenzie, now furious with the Mistook, said, “Sir, we must get you to...” Mistook interrupted, “Quiet, Riot, get me another horse.”
Another explosion startled a team of horses bringing a gun and limber into the battle. The limber became unhitched and made it’s way toward Mistook. “Lookout, Mountain!” screamed MacKenzie. It was too late. The limber hit the stiff Mistook and severed his body just as it is in the photo.
It was almost three years since Mistook looked into the beautiful eyes of his lovely wife Abigail. And now, after several months in the hospital and on the way home to see her he remembered the very day they were married he had to leave immediately after the wedding for the war. She cried when she saw him and said, “I’m leaving you. You know I wanted a large family.” Then she walked out the door.
This devasted Mistook. He quickly turned to the bottle and grew more and nore despondent. No amount of alcohol could drown his sorrow. A few years passed and eight days before the seventh anniversary of the Battle of Six Oaks General Alexander Mistook took his own life. You see... he wasn’t half the man he used to be.
General Alexander “Mountain” Mistook commanded the the Second Division of the First Army (USA) against the Fourth Division of the Third Army of the Confederacy on the fifth day at the Battle of Six Oaks.
His plan to attack at The Angle was obtuse. He directed Col. Wilson “Riot” MacKenzie to take the dirt removed in making the Dutch Gap Canal and fill in the Sunken Road. Then he would lead his 50,000 to men to a sure vitcory over his old classmate General Jeremiah Butternut.
(Mistook’s most stunning victory occurred when his men hit the Rebels with hot lead at Cold Harbor. He learned this tactic as a child when his father took him to the Eastern Theater to see “Birth of a Nation.”)
In the heat of the battle an enemy shell explode near Mistook. His trusty steed, Mrs. Peel, reared high and fell to one side crushing Mistook underneath. Col. MacKenzie hollered for some men to rescue the beloved general. As they pulled him from under the dead carcass he mumbled, “I’m very sore... too stiff to move.”
MacKenzie explained to Misook the importance of evacuating him away from the action. “I’m stiff, not dead,” responded the general. Another shell exploded nearby and Mackenzie, now furious with the Mistook, said, “Sir, we must get you to...” Mistook interrupted, “Quiet, Riot, get me another horse.”
Another explosion startled a team of horses bringing a gun and limber into the battle. The limber became unhitched and made it’s way toward Mistook. “Lookout, Mountain!” screamed MacKenzie. It was too late. The limber hit the stiff Mistook and severed his body just as it is in the photo.
It was almost three years since Mistook looked into the beautiful eyes of his lovely wife Abigail. And now, after several months in the hospital and on the way home to see her he remembered the very day they were married he had to leave immediately after the wedding for the war. She cried when she saw him and said, “I’m leaving you. You know I wanted a large family.” Then she walked out the door.
This devasted Mistook. He quickly turned to the bottle and grew more and nore despondent. No amount of alcohol could drown his sorrow. A few years passed and eight days before the seventh anniversary of the Battle of Six Oaks General Alexander Mistook took his own life. You see... he wasn’t half the man he used to be.