Before Yorktown, Va., April 25, 1862.
C. L. Bartlett,
Esq.: —
My dear Sir, —
Yesterday morning the Twentieth Regiment was detailed for picket duty. Captain
Bartlett went out a little before noon to visit the advanced posts. He found
what he considered a good and safe position for observing the enemy. He knelt
down behind a tree and watched their movements through a glass. He had been
watching them some ten minutes, when he received a shot from a rifle in his
left knee. A litter was sent for him and he was brought to the rear. When I got
to him his color had not left him, and he was suffering only at intervals, when
spasms of pain seized him for a moment, and quickly passed and left him
comparatively comfortable again. His thoughtfulness for others and
self-forgetfulness were shown by his repeatedly urging me to leave him, as I was
suffering from a slight lameness. He was carried to a house near by, and then
the surgeons gave him chloroform and examined his wound. Drs. Hayward and
Crehore of the Twentieth, Dr. Haven of the Fifteenth, and Dr. Clark, a surgeon
from Worcester, were unanimous in the opinion that amputation was not only
proper, but necessary. I urged upon them to be sure, before proceeding, that
there was no chance of recovery, and that it would not do to delay for
consultation with other surgeons.
They assured me
positively that there was no room for doubt, and that the operation must be
performed immediately; that the ball had totally destroyed the knee joint, and
shivered and destroyed the bone of the leg for six inches below; furthermore
that delay would materially diminish the chances of recovery. The leg was taken
off by Dr. Hayward, in the lower third of the portion above the knee.
Examination made subsequently fully confirmed the opinions of the surgeons, and
Brigade Surgeons Crosby and Dougherty, and Dr Liddell, Medical Director of the
Division, who arrived presently, pronounced everything well and wisely done,
and every one of the surgeons were of the opinion that your son had gone
through the operation most favorably. He suffered a good deal after he returned
to consciousness, but not to the point of faintness. His sufferings arose
mostly from the necessary dressings. He bore the announcement of what had been
done very firmly, and told me that he had expected it. Every exertion was made
to put him at once on his way to Washington, and he presently started for York
River, in a four horse ambulance, attended by Dr. Clark and my servant, who is
as gentle as a woman, and who has a strong feeling of personal attachment for
your son. There went with him, also, seven or eight stout fellows of his own
company, to carry him on a litter, should the motion of the ambulance increase
his sufferings.
His color returned
soon after the operation was ended, his smile was ready and sweet, his eyes
clear, the grasp of his hand and the tone of his voice firm. I hardly need tell
you that he bore his fate with his own gallant spirit, and that he did not
break down for a moment. His escort report that he arrived safely at the river,
and was there placed on board the Commodore.
To you who know so well
my opinion of your son's merits, and what close companionship has existed
between us for six months, I need say little of the affliction that this
event causes me. The loss to the regiment is terrible, and officers and men
unite with me in lamenting the misfortune. Your son was the most brilliant
soldier I have known in the Volunteer Army, and I anticipated for him the
highest distinction. You have my sincerest sympathy, you and Mrs. Bartlett and
your daughters, in this painful moment, and my love and admiration for your son
cause me to feel the most bitter sorrow at this heavy calamity.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
F. W. Palfrey, Lieut.-Col, Comd'g.
The surgeons encourage
me to believe that he will be comparatively comfortable in a day or two.
SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William
Francis Bartlett, p. 42-4
No comments:
Post a Comment