Scars from the Civil War and Scars Today

 It is estimated that 50,000 limbs were amputated during the war. The New York Times reports, (6/20/18), on a discovery at the battlefield for Bull Run, probably from the second fight in 1862. 

The remains of two soldiers are uncovered as well as the partial remains of eleven other men. Forensic evidence indicates the soldiers fought for the Union. The Times reports:

One skeleton, of a Caucasian male in his late 20’s, still had a .577 caliber Enfield bullet—which was deployed almost exclusively by the Confederate Army during the battle —lodged sideways in his upper thighbone. Scientists believe the bullet slowed and rotated after passing through his cartridge box.

The second skeleton is of a male in his 30’s, believed to have died from rounds that struck his shoulder, groin and lower leg. Those remains were found with Union Army jacket buttons.

Partial remains show cut marks—and shattered bones indicate why surgeons of that era had no choice but to amputate.

 “When you’re looking at shattered limbs,” one expert observes, “it takes you out of the overall concept of troop movements and into the personal stories of individual men.

“We’re seeing the trauma of what was undoubtedly the worst moments of their lives.”

And here a note to teachers: always try to humanize the men (and increasingly) women who fight in any war.

I tried to insure my students never thought war was glamorous.

Partial remains show cut marks—and shattered bones indicate why surgeons of that era had no choice but to amputate.

The picture below is from the author’s collection.

Bone saw and medical kit used during the Civil War.

Retired U.S. Army First Lieutenant Melissa Stockwell.
First female to lose a limb in combat in Iraq.
Now a Paralympics Games swimmer.

Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James hugs former Marine S/Sgt. Mark Graunke, Jr.
The Marine lost a hand, leg and eye in combat in Iraq.

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I have a good writing prompt for students involving wounded soldiers (including a female) from the Battle of Gettysburg.

There are several other readings on the period, including firsthand accounts by Sam Watkins (free), Frank Wilkeson, John Ransom and Elisha Rhodes, on the First Battle of Bull Run and the fight between the Monitor and Merrimac.

Feel free to visit my site at TpT: Middle School History and Tips for Teachers.