File:Pvt. George Lemon (CP 1118), National Museum of Health and Medicine (5187324599).png

Pvt. George Lemon (CP 1118), National Museum of Health and Medicine

Description: Private George Lemon, Company C, t6th Maryland infantry, shows the stump of his amputated left leg. Lemon was wounded at the battle of Wilderness, Virginia on May 5, 1864. His left was amputated on October 12th, 1865 by Surgeon E. Bentley. Caption reads: "Bentley's secondary amputation at hip-joint." Text on chalkboard: "George Lemon, Priv. Co. C 6th Md. Inf. , Wd. At Wilderness, May 5th, 1864. Amputn. Performed Oct. 12th 1865 by Surg. E. Bentley U.S.A."

History (from CP 1314): "George W. Lemon. Gunshot fracture of femur of left hip joint. Amputation. George W. Lemon, private Co. C. 6th Md., Vols., aged 31 years. Admitted to Harewood U.S. General Hospital from Slough Gen’l Hospital, Alexandria, Va., January 31st, 1866. Convalescent from amputation at the left hip joint—the result of gunshot fracture of the femur, received in battle at the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864. After wounding he was left upon the field and taken by the rebels to a hospital in the vicinity—where he lay several days without any attention whatever until the Hospital was retaken by our forces, and then he seems to have had very little surgical attention, for according to his statement his limb was lying at large in the bed, no attempts to keep it in position ever having been made by his medical attendants until Oct. 11th, 1864, when he was removed to Slough Hospital, Alexandria, Va., where he remained with his left in a greatly deformed condition until Oct 12th, 1865, when amputation at the hip joint was performed by Surgeon E. Bently, U.S. Vols., in charge of the Hospital. At the time of his admission to this Hospital January 31st, 1866, he was quite well and able to go about wherever he chose on crutches. His hip was quite healed, and he was discharged from the U.S. Service February 3rd, 1866, at his own request.”

Date: circa 1865-1866

Photo ID: CP 1118

Source collection: OHA 75: Contributed Photographs

Related material: Specimens SS4167, SS4386, & SS5040; CP 190-1, 1314; SP 136-7.

Repository: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Otis Historical Archives