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Private George W. Smith of 8th Alabama

The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, part II, vol. II, p. 85 describes the case of Private G. W. Smith of Company K, 8th Alabama, who was wounded at Gettysburg in July 1863. "Aged 18 years, wounded in abdomen July 2. Admitted to hospital Camp Letterman August 7, '63. Assistant Surgeon W. F. Richardson reports - 'wounded by a minie ball entering the median line one inch below the ensiform cartilage, and passing obliquely downward and outward, emerged from the right hip, after passing through the ilium. The patient passed feces through the opening made by the exit of the ball for three weeks. August 7, the discharge of feces through the wound has cleared. Wound suppurating and discharging healthy pus; several spicula have been removed from the wound. September 20, general health good; the anterior wound is healed; wound of exit still discharging. October 6, the convalescent admitted to West's buildings hospital on the same day, and, on November 12th, was transferred to City Point for exchange.' Surgeon George Rex, U.S.V., stated that 'he was improving, and probably would recover.'"

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