Civil War Washington

CASE 1020.—Captain John M——, 79th New York Militia, aged 38 years, was wounded at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and again August 30, 1862. On the last occasion he was taken prisoner and remained in the hands of the enemy for eight days. He was paroled and rejoined his regiment, and was promoted major November 17, 1862, and lieutenant-colonel Febuary 17th, 1863. He was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, May 31, 1864, and pensioned. Surgeon J. E. MacDonald, U. S. V., formerly of the 79th New York, July 5, 1865, makes the following statement: "At the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, Mr. M—— received a very serious wound from musket ball, which perforated the apex of the left chest and lung and fractured the left scapula. He made a rapid recovery, however, from so severe a wound, and reported for duty in an extremely short time." * * "At the second battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862, Mr. M—— received a wound from a minié ball, which passed through the right natis, the scrotum, and the urethra. On this occasion, the nature of the wound did not permit him to escape from the field, and he remained eight days in the hands of the enemy. Much to the surprise of many surgeons, myself among the number, he survived to be removed to Washington, and again to be of service to his regiment. I have carefully examined his condition recently, and find that he is still obliged to make frequent use of the catheter to relieve his bladder, and often suffers from both incontinence and retention of urine. It is my opinion that he will never cease to be subject to temporary difficulties of like nature." Examiner T.F. Smith reported, January 30, 1866: "A ball perforated the apex of the left lung, fracturing the left scapula, in consequence of which he has not full power of the left arm; disability from this, one-fourth. Another ball passed through the right natis, scrotum, and the urethra. He is obliged to use a catheter continually in order to draw off the urine. Whenever he performs hard labor the wound breaks open. He is unable to walk but a short distance. Disability from this, three-fourths." The same examiner, September 17, 1873, reports: "Ball entered over middle third of the left clavicle and made exit over the inner border of the middle third of the left scapula; no disability. Ball entered to the left of the scrotum in the groin, cutting the urethra, and made its exit from the right natis. He is obliged to use a catheter to draw off the urine; locomotion considerably interfered with; disability total." This pensioner was paid December 4, 1873.