CASE.—Sergeant William H. Ferdon, Co. A, 40th New York Volunteers, aged 25 years, was wounded in
the engagement at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, March 25th, 1865, by a conoidal ball, which entered the
right temporal region near outer angle of right
eye, and passing through the orbital portion of
the sphenoid bones on both sides, severed in its
course the optic nerves of both eyes. The point of exit
was directly opposite the point of entrance. He
was, on the following day, admitted to
the depot field hospital of the Second Corps, at
City Point, and on March 29th, transferred to the
Armory Square Hospital, complaining of much pain
in the head. He could not tolerate opium or
morphine. Nervines were given every hour, till
quiet was procured, and good wine, in small
quantities, allowed. On April 26th, the wound was
nearly healed, but the patient was entirely blind.
On May 15th, 1865, he was transferred to New York,
where he was discharged June 13th, 1865, and
pensioned