Civil War Washington

CASE 740.—Lieutenant E. F. O'Brien, Co. A, 28th Massachusetts, aged 29 years, was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. Surgeon W. S. Cooper, 125th New York, reported his admission to the field hospital of the 1st division, Second Corps, with "shot fracture involving the left ankle; leg amputated at lower third by Surgeon P. E. Hubon, 28th Massachusetts." Five days after the reception of the injury the patient entered Armory Square Hospital, Washington, and one month later he proceeded to his home on leave of absence. He was discharged from service October 13, 1864, and afterwards entered the Veteran Reserve Corps, in which organization he served until April 17, 1867, when he was mustered out and pensioned. Subsequently he obtained employment as clerk in the Post Office and Interior Departments at Washington. In May, 1869, when visiting the Army Medical Museum, he was in excellent health, and stated that he had worn a "Salem" artificial leg with satisfaction for over five years. In his application for a new artificial limb, supplied in 1880, the pensioner reports the stump as continuing in very good condition." His pension was paid September 4, 1880. The amputated bones of the leg, together with the astragalus​ (Spec. 4494, Surg. Sect., A. M. M.), were contributed to the Museum by the operator, and are represented in the wood-cut (FIG. 290), showing the tibia to be shattered into the ankle and the fibula fractured transversely.