Pvt. Hiram Williams (CP 1101), National Museum of Health and Medicine

Description: Private Hiram Williams, Company K, 98th Pennsylvania volunteers, shows the stump of his left foot, which was amputated as the result of a gunshot wound received at the battle of Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9th, 1865. The patient recovered well.

History is on reverse: “Hiram Williams. Amputation of leg and foot. Shell wound. Hiram Williams, private, Co. K, 98th Pa. Vols., aged 23, admitted to Harewood U.S.A. Gen’l Hospital, Sept. 13, 1865, convalescent from circular amputation of left leg, lower third, and Heyes’ operation of the right foot at junction of the tarsal and metatarsal bones, result of shell wound. Wounded at the battle of Appomattox C.H., Va., April 9, 1865. Operation performed previous to being admitted to this hospital. Operator and anaesthetics unknown. On admission, however, the constitutional state of patient was very good; wound has now entirely healed, and patient is doing very well; has considerable use of right foot, and is now awaiting an artificial limb, and his discharge from the U.S. service.”

Date: circa 1865

Photo ID: CP 1101

Source collection: OHA 75: Contributed Photographs

Related Material: CP 276

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