Photographs of Wounded Irishmen from the American Civil War

That fractured hand is brutal! It looks like the right hand. I read somewhere that soldiers were likely to be wounded in the right hand during battle. They had to raise the hand up in order to use the ramrod which, combined with the penchant of soldiers to shoot high during battle, led to many hands being struck by bullets.

I can't remember where I read that though, so don't quote me on it ; )

I can't imagine how devastating a hand wound would be. If it didn't heal well, and the hand was crippled, the veteran would struggle to farm or work other manual jobs in the future.

D Scott Hartwig wrote an incredible article following the wounded of the 69th Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Brigade) at Gettysburg following the battle. Sobering but well worth a read:
http://npshistory.com/series/symposia/gettysburg_seminars/5/essay1.htm

It is horrifying how badly these wounded soldiers and widows were often treated during and after the war.
 
Well, I've got to admit I wish I hadn't clicked into the link. I'm sorry for these guys, but their wounds were not unique.
 
Interesting images, but are they that unique. A lot of men were maimed in the war. Many disabled, at least no facial maiming in the photos. Always terrible to view.
 
That fractured hand is brutal! It looks like the right hand. I read somewhere that soldiers were likely to be wounded in the right hand during battle. They had to raise the hand up in order to use the ramrod which, combined with the penchant of soldiers to shoot high during battle, led to many hands being struck by bullets.

Interesting. I hadnt thought about the connection between the number of right hand wounds and the use of the ramrod. Thanks for pointing that out.

Here's a previous post you may find of interest about the predominance of wounds on the right side of the body. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/graphic-more-wounds-on-right-side-of-body.132641/#post-1500858
 
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