Today brought letters from the surgeon and others, in
reference to poor Frank; our worst fears about amputation realized! the arm was
taken off at the shoulder on Tuesday morning; the elbow joint was too much
injured, in the opinion of three surgeons, to make it safe to try to save it.
Pray God his life may be spared! this is a sad misfortune, but if he only lives
through it, what a mercy compared with what multitudes of others suffer! The
letters speak of Frank's great fortitude and composure, even under excessive
pain; indeed of his gallant bearing throughout the whole thing. What life-long
trial and sorrow this dreadful war will impose upon thousands of families! How
long, Lord, how long, shall we thy guilty people who deserve all this fierce
wrath, continue to suffer it!
SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and
Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 142-3
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