Many instructors tell the story about the patriot whose leg was injured and amputated...gangrene sets in and he has another amputation...gangrene, amputation...gangrene, amputation...etc. Does anyone know where his story comes from (don't remember seeing it in Paul Revere's Ride) or possibly what his name was? I'm looking for some more facts about him to put in a speech I'm writing.
Thanks!
Ish
Did you ever, get an answer? I would give it but also do not know it, Trying to get a spark going on this thread. @@)
No I didn't but thanks for bringing it up again. How about you IL HBC folks? :cool2:
The only name that I have ever found was Moses Parker. He was a Lt. Colonel and took a ball to the knee during Bunker Hill and died on July 4th, 1775. He was 43.
Maybe you're thinking of Abel Prescott (Dr. Samuel Prescott's older brother) who also was an express rider on April 19th....he was shot in the leg later in the day, and suffered for 4 months before dying of gangrene and dysentery?
Now, this has me all mixed up. From the Prescott Memorial:
Dr. Abel Prescott m. (1) Abigail Brigham who died and he m. (2) June 12, 1775, Mrs.
Mary the widow of John Beaton, who died aged 78. He enjoyed during a long period
a very extensive professional patronage in Concord, Mass., and lived in the house
more recently owned by Captain Moore, a little below Concord Village. He died from
mortification of the foot, Oct 26, 1805, aged 87 years 6 months and 19 days.
And
Abel Prescott Jr b. April 12, 1749. On the 19th of April 1775 he was fired on by
British soldiers as he was returning from the neighboring town, whither he had
been to apprise the people of the approach of the 'regulars' (so called), and
slightly wounded in the side, but succeeded in making his escape by secreting
himself in the house of a Mr. Heywood. He died from dysentery on the third of the
following Sept, 1775 aged 26 yrs 5 mos and 9 days.
If this is right, Abel Jr was shot in the side and not the leg but his father died of morification (gangrene) of the foot.
That IS confusing. I'm pretty sure Abel was shot in the leg (ankle) and had multiple surgeries due to gangrene, then died about 4 months later. But I can't give you book/paragraph/pages...I'm at work.
4b
I don't remember seeing it in Paul Revere's Ride either. As far as I know, the story comes from Fred.
I've never heard a specific name, but it could proabably be applied to numerous folks who died during the war.
Thanks, folks. The story is powerful without a name but it would be nice to verify. ;)
I told this story yet again, this past weekend at an event in Myakka Fl. Really grabbed their attention,only the "Lucky Ones" Died instantly on the Battle Field. The most brutal amputations imaginable!
Yeah...boy I'm thankful mine was surgical under anesthesia! :D
It's reported to be Prescott. But, I'll add that he wasn't the only one, as this was a fairly common thing. Get shot in an appendage, and they started hacking off parts until you either healed or died. There were no antibiotics back then.
Okay thanks! :)
Ishy,
Would you be willing to send me a copy of your speech?
Thanks.