Civil War Washington

CASE 1538.—Sergeant T. J. Newell, Co. E, 12th New York, aged 36 years, was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, and, on June 10th, was admitted into Harewood Hospital, Washington. Surgeon R. B. Bontecou, U. S. V., noted: "Admitted, with resection of the upper third of the left humerus in consequence of a gunshot wound; extent of injury unknown. Operation performed on the field, June 3d. On admission the constitutional state of the patient and condition of the injured parts were good; parts healing readily under treatment of simple dressing and a supportive nourishing diet, but with no restoration of bony structures; the muscles of the forearm and arm remain well developed and useful." Newell was discharged from service October 3, 1864, and pensioned. Examiner John Spencer, October 15, 1866, reported: "The whole upper half of the humerus, from the middle of the humerus to the humero-scapular junction, resected. The arm is useless above the hand and forearm; disability is permanent, and I cannot conscientiously rate it less than equal to loss of the hand." Examiner H. B. Osborn, on September 8, 1873, reported substantially as above, adding that the arm was still useless. This pensioner was paid March 4, 1874. The photograph from which the cut (FIG. 435) is taken was sent from Harewood Hospital, and is shown at page 8, Vol. II, Card Photographs. In a letter dated Sherman, New York, July 28, 1874, the pensioner remarks: "My arm is as useful to me as it ever will be; it often gathers and breaks, or rather it has to be lanced. * * I have the use of my hand, but cannot put it to my mouth only as I take the other hand. I can place it on the table and hold my fork, but cannot feed myself with it. * * My arm is of but little account, yet I would not have it off for anything."