Evidence of
an Amputation by Norman Smith, M.D. at Washington, D.C.,
April 26, 1861
By Dr. Michael Echols
This information is absolute evidence the
report made by Norman Smith, M.D, regarding the amputation in the Rotunda of
the Capital at Washington, D.C, are true and in-fact this may be one of the first, if not 'the' first, surgical amputation of the
Civil War by a military surgeon on April 26, 1861.
The
display of
the Norman Smith Tiemann surgical set and supporting
evidence
As sited in the
Medical &
Surgical History or the War of the Rebellion: Documents the date of the amputation and the
patients. If the War began on April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter,
this operation took place on April 26, 1861 after the
Riot at Baltimore and possibly
one of, if not the first surgical amputation of the Civil War.
"283
Herrick, M. S.,
Lieut., E, 8th Massachusetts. April 26, '61. Surgeon. N. Smith, 6th
Mass. Disch'd May 21, 1861."
Additional information on
Lt. M. S. Herrick
The following documentation is cited by Chaplain Babbidge, who was with
Dr. Norman Smith at Baltimore when the riot took place on Platt
Street.
Documents courtesy of Larry DeCan,
who obtained them from the Groton Public Library 2008. This
information confirms the information found in Norman Smith's personal
letters in this collection.
Chaplain Babbidge's
testimony regarding the Civil War and Norman Smith
Click on images to enlarge
Documentation
of the amputation performed by Norman Smith,
M.D. in Washington, D.C. after the Baltimore Riot
Moses S Herrick,
Dr. Norman Smith's amputation patient
1861
Norman
Smith Biography
Norman
Smith's Colt Dragoon pistol
Documentation regarding the uniform worn by Dr. Smith in the document photos
The
display of
the Norman Smith surgical set
Documentation regarding the uniform worn by Dr. Smith in
the photos
6th Mass. Vol.
Militia and the Pratt Street (Baltimore) Riot at the start
of the Civil War
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