Anatifacts

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General Barnum's
Left Hip Bone

General Henry A. Barnum commanded the 12th New York Volunteers during the Civil War. On July 1, 1862 at the battle of Malvern Hill, Barnum was wounded by a musket ball which passed through his left lower abdomen. Like most abdominal wounds occurring during the war, his was considered fatal. However, under the care of his personal physician, Dr. March, Barnum survived.

(SP 93)

When infection set in two years later, Dr. March took action to prevent it from spreading. March passed an oakum cord through the bullet wound to keep it open so the infection could drain. Over the years, Barnum kept the cord in place himself, while gradually reducing its size to a finer thread. He continued his war service - with the cord still in place - and was wounded twice more in battles at Peach Tree Creek and Kenesaw Mountain. This photograph of Barnum displaying the cord was taken in August 1865.

(AFIP 1002020)

General Barnum's left hip bone, taken at autopsy in 1892. The formation at the top of the bone is the result of the infection.