William Clarke-140th NY at Gettysburg

[HerbS]

William Clarke was from Rochester,NY and was terribly wounded at Devil's Den.He took a mini-ball in his face and another one in his arm.He was separated from his unit and saw a red hospital flag on a barn.A Dr.told him he would have get on the amputating table.He said, "oh no",and ran away.He then put a splint on his arm and treated his own wound by putting his arm in a creek for 13 days.He was proud that he saw President Lincoln before he was wounded!He then was discharged and came home on Christmas Day 1863.He was a Blacksmith with a deformed arm for the rest of his life!

[BettyO]

(07-23-2012 03:50 PM)HerbS Wrote:  William Clarke was from Rochester,NY and was terribly wounded at Devil's Den.He took a mini-ball in his face and another one in his arm.He was separated from his unit and saw a red hospital flag on a barn.A Dr.told him he would have get on the amputating table.He said, "oh no",and ran away.He then put a splint on his arm and treated his own wound by putting his arm in a creek for 13 days.He was proud that he saw President Lincoln before he was wounded!He then was discharged and came home on Christmas Day 1863.He was a Blacksmith with a deformed arm for the rest of his life!

Fantastic story, Herb! Thanks a bunch....

[J. Beckert]

I like these stories, Herb. I hope you keep posting them.

[LincolnMan]

When did he see Lincoln I wonder...

[HerbS]

Bill,According to my sources,he saw Lincoln early in the war.Every family I had in class"Rochester and the Civil War" had an ancestor claim to have seen Lincoln.Look at all the people that were on the Mayflower!

[LincolnMan]

Herb: Thanks for causing my morning smile. You're right.

[Craig Hipkins]

Herb,
You always have a great story to tell!

Craig

[HerbS]

Thanks-Craig these all come from members in the college class"Rochester and The Civil War" that I taught.It was "show and Tell"every week!They were from ages 28yrs to 88yrs old.These stories came from ancestors in writing! One man had a fabulous button collection that blew me away!

[LincolnMan]

Herb: How far we've come (down the tubes?). You taught a college class "Rochester and The Civil War." Do you suppose any class like that is being offered at the school nowadays?

[HerbS]

Bill,No not in High School[too test orientated].College-yes.My course was a College Continuing Education.Re-enactors were a pain--NY108th vs.Moseby's Raiders- would not sit next to each other as adults.But,they did invite me to thier banquets!

[LincolnMan]

Really? You have me laughing Herb! So the Yanks and Rebs wouldn't sit next to each other? Perhaps they wanted to stay in "character."