Private Benjamin F. Smith of Company K, 12th Alabama Infantry, was wounded at Gettysburg on 1 July 1863 by a conoidal musket (minie) ball, which fractured his third lumber vetebra. On 8 August he was sent to Camp Letterman, where several pieces of bone were extracted. Smith recovered and was exchanged on 6 September 1863. His doctor, Acting Assistant Surgeon W. W. [or W. M.] Welch, reported no serious symptoms at any time. The interesting thing about Welch was that he was a local physician who was placed under contract by the Federals to assist the wounded, for a period lasting perhaps two months. Welch initially served at the (Lutheran) Seminary Hospital (through at least 1 August), before moving to Camp Letterman as the wounded were consolidated there.