Daniel Sickles's leg: Difference between revisions
→Sources: add sources |
→Leg wound and later display: save point |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
Early on July 2, with the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] ongoing, Sickles became concern about the suitability of the position the III Corps was assigned to defend.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=90{{endash}}91}} He later decided to abandon the position he had been assigned and moved his troops forward to another line along the [[Emmitsburg Road]].{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=102{{endash}}103}} While this new position had some positive features, it was also exposed and the prior position had been adequate.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=95{{endash}}97}} Confederate troops commanded by [[James Longstreet]] attacked Sickles's new position, and the III Corps was overrun.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} With his line crumbling, Sickles rode up to the III Corps at [[The Peach Orchard]], which was falling apart. After watching the retreat of the [[141st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]], he headed towards the Trostle Farm.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|p=333}} |
Early on July 2, with the [[Battle of Gettysburg]] ongoing, Sickles became concern about the suitability of the position the III Corps was assigned to defend.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=90{{endash}}91}} He later decided to abandon the position he had been assigned and moved his troops forward to another line along the [[Emmitsburg Road]].{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=102{{endash}}103}} While this new position had some positive features, it was also exposed and the prior position had been adequate.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=95{{endash}}97}} Confederate troops commanded by [[James Longstreet]] attacked Sickles's new position, and the III Corps was overrun.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} With his line crumbling, Sickles rode up to the III Corps at [[The Peach Orchard]], which was falling apart. After watching the retreat of the [[141st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment]], he headed towards the Trostle Farm.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|p=333}} |
||
After riding onto a [[hillock|knoll]] for a better view of the fighting, Sickles was hit in the right leg by a {{convert|12|lb|kg}} [[solid shot]].<ref name="pearlstein">{{cite web |last1=Pearlstein |first1=Kristen |title=Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles: His Contribution to the Army Medical Museum |url=https://www.medicalmuseum.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2021/maj_gen_daniel_e_sickles |publisher=National Museum of Health and Medicine |access-date=15 February 2022 |date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> The shot did not startle Sickles's horse, and he dismounted and a [[tourniquet]] was applied to the wound. After transferring command of the III Corps to [[David B. Birney]], Sickles was taken off the field on a stretcher while puffing on a cigar.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=333{{endash}}334}} The medical director of the III Corps, Thomas Sim, performed an [[amputation]] of Sickles's leg. It was initially thought that the cut could be made below the knee, but upon further inspection it was determined that the damage was more severe than thought, and an amputation above the knee was required.<ref name="pearlstein" /> After the limb was cut off, it was kept, possibly by Sim.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|p=334}} |
After riding onto a [[hillock|knoll]] for a better view of the fighting, Sickles was hit in the right leg by a {{convert|12|lb|kg}} [[solid shot]].<ref name="pearlstein">{{cite web |last1=Pearlstein |first1=Kristen |title=Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles: His Contribution to the Army Medical Museum |url=https://www.medicalmuseum.mil/micrograph/index.cfm/posts/2021/maj_gen_daniel_e_sickles |publisher=National Museum of Health and Medicine |access-date=15 February 2022 |date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> The shot did not startle Sickles's horse, and he dismounted and a [[tourniquet]] was applied to the wound. After transferring command of the III Corps to [[David B. Birney]], Sickles was taken off the field on a stretcher while puffing on a cigar.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|pp=333{{endash}}334}} The injury had broken both lower leg bones.<ref name="demetrick">{{cite web |last1=DeMetrick |first1=Alex |title=Civil War General's Leg on Display In Maryland |url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/05/17/civil-war-generals-leg-on-display-in-maryland/ |publisher=WJZ 13 |access-date=15 February 2022 |date=May 7, 2011}}</ref> The medical director of the III Corps, Thomas Sim, performed an [[amputation]] of Sickles's leg. It was initially thought that the cut could be made below the knee, but upon further inspection it was determined that the damage was more severe than thought, and an amputation above the knee was required.<ref name="pearlstein" /> The general had been anesthetized with [[chloroform]] before the amputation.<ref name="wapo">{{cite web |last1=Wheeler |first1=Linda |title=Union General Remained Attached to Museum Display of Amputated Limb |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/07/12/union-general-remained-attached-to-museum-display-of-amputated-limb/bf1b7781-a2cc-468f-81dc-4e2bff7ac12c/ |publisher=Washington Post |access-date=15 February 2022 |date=July 12, 2001}}</ref> After the limb was cut off, it was kept, possibly by Sim.{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|p=334}} |
||
Aware that the [[National Museum of Health and Medicine|Army Medical Museum]] (since renamed the National Museum of Health and Medicine) had been recently founded, Sickles had the leg forwarded to the museum in a coffin-shaped box, as it had begun accumulating "specimens of morbid anatomy".{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} The damaged [[tibia]] and [[fibia]] were stabilized with wire and used as a museum specimen.<ref name="pearlstein" /> Sickles recovered quickly from the wound,{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} but never held a field command again.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} Sickles sometimes visited the limb on the anniversary of its loss,{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} and sometimes brought visitors with him, including once [[Mark Twain]] who stated that he believed the general valued the lost leg more than his still-extant one.<ref name="pearlstein" /> He retired from the army in 1869, was a diplomat to Spain, served another term in Congress, and died in 1914.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} |
Aware that the [[National Museum of Health and Medicine|Army Medical Museum]] (since renamed the National Museum of Health and Medicine) had been recently founded, Sickles had the leg forwarded to the museum in a coffin-shaped box, as it had begun accumulating "specimens of morbid anatomy".{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} The damaged [[tibia]] and [[fibia]] were stabilized with wire and used as a museum specimen.<ref name="pearlstein" /> The bones were used as a teaching example of battlefield trauma.<ref name="demetrick" /> Sickles recovered quickly from the wound,{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} but never held a field command again.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} Sickles sometimes visited the limb on the anniversary of its loss,{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} and sometimes brought visitors with him, including once [[Mark Twain]] who stated that he believed the general valued the lost leg more than his still-extant one.<ref name="pearlstein" /> He retired from the army in 1869, was a diplomat to Spain, served another term in Congress, and died in 1914.{{sfn|Warner|2006|p=447}} |
||
The leg bones have since been enclosed in a glass case{{sfn|Pfanz|1987|p=534 fn. 134}} and have been reported as of 2014 to be one of the museum's most requested exhibits.{{sfn|Clarke|2014|p=1051}} For a time in 2011, the bones were displayed at [[Fort Detrick]],<ref name="demetrick" /> but as of 2021 are again displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine.<ref name="pearlstein" /> The bones are attached to a wooden stand by metal prongs and are displayed next to a cannonball of the type that caused the wound. |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 03:54, 15 February 2022
Daniel Sickels's leg was amputated after a wound suffered at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, and is displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine.
Background
Daniel E. Sickles was born on October 20, 1819, in New York City. He entered politics and served in the United States Congress from 1857 to 1861. In 1859, he gained notoriety for shooting[1] Philip Barton Key over an affair Key had with Sickles's wife. Sickles successfully pleaded temporary insanity for the first time in United States history.[2] After the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, he joined the Union Army and was commissioned a brigadier general. Originally commanding the Excelsior Brigade, her was promoted to major general in November 1862, and commanded a division at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the III Corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville; we would also command the III Corps at the Battle of Gettysburg.[3]
Leg wound and later display
Early on July 2, with the Battle of Gettysburg ongoing, Sickles became concern about the suitability of the position the III Corps was assigned to defend.[4] He later decided to abandon the position he had been assigned and moved his troops forward to another line along the Emmitsburg Road.[5] While this new position had some positive features, it was also exposed and the prior position had been adequate.[6] Confederate troops commanded by James Longstreet attacked Sickles's new position, and the III Corps was overrun.[7] With his line crumbling, Sickles rode up to the III Corps at The Peach Orchard, which was falling apart. After watching the retreat of the 141st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, he headed towards the Trostle Farm.[8]
After riding onto a knoll for a better view of the fighting, Sickles was hit in the right leg by a 12 pounds (5.4 kg) solid shot.[9] The shot did not startle Sickles's horse, and he dismounted and a tourniquet was applied to the wound. After transferring command of the III Corps to David B. Birney, Sickles was taken off the field on a stretcher while puffing on a cigar.[10] The injury had broken both lower leg bones.[11] The medical director of the III Corps, Thomas Sim, performed an amputation of Sickles's leg. It was initially thought that the cut could be made below the knee, but upon further inspection it was determined that the damage was more severe than thought, and an amputation above the knee was required.[9] The general had been anesthetized with chloroform before the amputation.[12] After the limb was cut off, it was kept, possibly by Sim.[13]
Aware that the Army Medical Museum (since renamed the National Museum of Health and Medicine) had been recently founded, Sickles had the leg forwarded to the museum in a coffin-shaped box, as it had begun accumulating "specimens of morbid anatomy".[2] The damaged tibia and fibia were stabilized with wire and used as a museum specimen.[9] The bones were used as a teaching example of battlefield trauma.[11] Sickles recovered quickly from the wound,[2] but never held a field command again.[7] Sickles sometimes visited the limb on the anniversary of its loss,[2] and sometimes brought visitors with him, including once Mark Twain who stated that he believed the general valued the lost leg more than his still-extant one.[9] He retired from the army in 1869, was a diplomat to Spain, served another term in Congress, and died in 1914.[7]
The leg bones have since been enclosed in a glass case[14] and have been reported as of 2014 to be one of the museum's most requested exhibits.[2] For a time in 2011, the bones were displayed at Fort Detrick,[11] but as of 2021 are again displayed at the National Museum of Health and Medicine.[9] The bones are attached to a wooden stand by metal prongs and are displayed next to a cannonball of the type that caused the wound.
References
- ^ Warner 2006, p. 446.
- ^ a b c d e Clarke 2014, p. 1051.
- ^ Warner 2006, pp. 446–447.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, pp. 90–91.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, pp. 102–103.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, pp. 95–97.
- ^ a b c Warner 2006, p. 447.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, p. 333.
- ^ a b c d e Pearlstein, Kristen (July 1, 2021). "Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles: His Contribution to the Army Medical Museum". National Museum of Health and Medicine. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, pp. 333–334.
- ^ a b c DeMetrick, Alex (May 7, 2011). "Civil War General's Leg on Display In Maryland". WJZ 13. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Wheeler, Linda (July 12, 2001). "Union General Remained Attached to Museum Display of Amputated Limb". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, p. 334.
- ^ Pfanz 1987, p. 534 fn. 134.
Sources
- Clarke, Tim, Jr. (2014). "Sickles' Leg and the Army Medical Museum". Military Medicine. 179 (8): 1051. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00182. PMID 25181725.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Pfanz, Harry W. (1987). Gettysburg: The Second Day. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0-8078-4730-5.
- Warner, Ezra J. (2006) [1964]. Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 0-8071-3149-0.