Thursday, June 07, 2012

Fresh discovery: Treating Abraham Lincoln

An image that never gets old: Lincoln Memorial in Washington. 
I'm a sucker for stories on newly discovered historical documents or artifacts (see Oliver Case Bible post), so I couldn't resist this story on the discovery of a report by a 23-year-old doctor named Charles Leale on his treatment of Abraham Lincoln shortly after the president was shot at Ford's Theatre. (And besides, it gave me a chance to try the Mathew Brady effect from picmonkey.com on the Lincoln Memorial photo I shot last summer.)

Dr. Charles Leale  (Library of Congress)
The report by Leale, the first doctor to treat the president in his box after he was shot, is a fascinating first draft of history. John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in the back of the head with a single-shot .44-caliber Deringer, which may be viewed today at the small Ford's Theatre museum.

Leale wrote that after Lincoln was wounded, he "heard cries that the ‘President had been murdered,’ which were followed by those of ‘Kill the murderer’ ‘Shoot him’ etc. which came from different parts of the audience."

"I immediately ran to the Presidents box," wrote the young doctor, who also was in the theater, "and as soon as the door was opened was admitted and introduced to Mrs. Lincoln when she exclaimed several times, ‘O Doctor, do what you can for him, do what you can!’”

Leale examined the bullet wound in the back of the president's head and noted a "perfectly smooth opening made by the ball" from Booth's pistol. Although Lincoln died early the next morning, Beale is credited with resuscitating the president shortly after he was shot.

The complete original documents are here. Great stuff.

In this newly discovered report, Dr. Charles Leale described his treatment of  President Lincoln
 after he was shot in Ford's Theatre. (Read the complete original documents here.)



3 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:46 AM

    Thanks for the post John. It's difficult to imagine the shock Dr. Leale must have felt that the president had been attacked and then, I have to treat him as a brand new physician. In light of the circumstances, his response is amazing. Great effect on the Lincoln Memorial photo!

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  2. Anonymous1:06 AM

    It is amazing& interesting that -Tish never married never had children and Tish relationships were with only women she prefered women not boyfriend have illegimate child ? Tish made the claim that Lincoln slept with Soldier? What does that say about Tish?Have a dirty Filty Rumorous Gossipious Slanderous Mind at those times 1860s?For Tish & Fox whisper behind abe back ?November 16,1862 Virginia Woodbury Fox wrote in her Diary:" Tish says ,there is a bucktail soldier devoted to the pres (lincoln), drives with him & when Mrs L is not home ,sleeps with him,What Stuff!"Virginia Woodbury Fox married assistant Secr Navy Gustavus V.Fox was related Blair Family.Tish is found to be :The Tish ,Fox Sources ,for the David Derickson Story, was Letitia Hannah McKean daughter mid -level Treasury Dept Clerk and Neice Commodore William Wister McKean.Letitia Hannah McKean was also a near contemporary of Virginia Fox having been born 1820 like Fox ,was closely linked by birth and marriage to many naval officiers, Political figures, and other Notables.(but only 2 women made claim )In any case (supposedly) Virginia Fox diary represents info that was circulating among the highly regarded and established circles of society wartime Washington .D.C.Virginia Fox evidence (rumor) maybe Hearsay,but it needs to stand or fall on its merits,not because it is mere gossip recorded(in diary) by a woman?First of all ,Letitia H McKean death 27 Oct 1896 born 1820.Father Samuel Miles McKean mother Mary Francis King McKean. (siblings)1.)Letitia 1820-1896 2.)Katherine1827-after1880 3.)FrancesM1825-after1880 4.)Mary K1830-after1880 5.)Elizabeth1822-after1880 6,) Harriet 1828-1903 7.)Marcia 1832-1897 (*all daughters never married-never husband-never had children -all were spinsters?)Samuel M McKean parents:Joseph Borden McKean1764-1826 wife Hannah MIles Mckean1764-1845(children Mary1787-1831,catherine1788-1789 Samuel1789-1868D.C.).=Virginia Woodbury Fox husband Gustavas V Fox related Blair Family.(visitors Lincoln WhiteHouse) Francis P Blair Sr. & Gustavus V Fox assit Secr NavyDept. BlairHouse 1651 Pennylvania ave(1836).Montgomery Blair spouse Mary Eliz Woodbury Blair.(1821-1887)Francis P Blair Jr 1821-1875.wife Appoline Alexander Blair 1828-1908.(had7children) 1st Missouri U.S. Reserves Corp Infantry 3 months 1861. = James L Blair 1819 -1853 wife Mary Jesup Blair 1825-1914.(children 4) =Francis P Blair Sr. journalist-newspapers-editor- Washington Globe advisor andrew jackson -later became political ally to pres Andrew Johnson .1868 impeachment -house -of Andrew johnson (fire Edwin Stanton -secretary of War) want replace Stanton with Ulysses S Grant (johnson left office1869)Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885), the 18th president of the United States.

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  3. Anonymous8:43 PM

    Henry W Crotzer Rank Captain Company D commissioned officer in Company D pennsylvania 150th Infantry Regiment on august 30,1862. Occasionally ate Dinner with Abraham Lincoln when Mary (Todd) Lincoln was out of town (outof D.C.). Most likely the source of the rumor/gossip of Captain David Derickson Story(Derickson Sleep Lincoln?)?what motives-reasons for Crotzer to spread malicious rumor/gossip?Census 1850 Lewisburg Union Pa. Household members -age: Henry W Crotzer Head 27,Emily Crotzer(wife)25,Mary (Mialma)Crotzer age 0.Sarah Misner female age 12.(all born Pa.)Census 1870Philadelpha Pa.:Henry W.Crotzer 46,Emily Crotzer40,Mialma(Mary) Crotzer 21.Henry W Crotzer (saleman)!.(why Henry live apart from wife?)Census 1880 Lewisburg Pa: Emily Crotzer 55yrDressmaker,Mialme(mary)Crotzer30yr.In Philadelphia Directorys Show Henry W Crotzer live alone (saleman) Philadelphia Pennsylvania1871-1898.Henry WCrotzerdob:3-16-1824Dod:7-31-1898(age74)Emily Crotzer Dob6-5-1825DoD:4-19-1902.Mialma(mary)Crotzer died 12-19-1923 North 4th street same address mother died Lewisburg Pa..

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