The following was written by Dr. William John Cavanaugh (1874-1949), the son of John M. Cavanaugh (1840-1895) and Anna Fryer (1843-1907). William’s father, John, was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in September 1861 as a private in Co. F, 43rd New York Volunteers. John was promoted to 1st Sergeant of Co, B in July 1862 and commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on 2 June 1863. He was with his regiment until he was severely wounded in the fighting at the Wilderness on 4 May 1864 and underwent a leg amputation to save his life.

What is most revealing in William’s letter is the considerable pain and suffering that his father endured for thirty years after the Civil War ended. The amputation of his leg certainly saved his life but it condemned him to a life that scarred him deeply—physically, socially, and emotionally.

After his discharge, John married the younger sister of another officer in the 43rd NYVI named John Fryer; Fryer and Cavanaugh were friends who worked together on the railroad prior to the Civil War. Fryer himself was killed shortly before Cavanaugh was seriously wounded. They are all buried together in the same grave at a cemetery in the Albany area.

It isn’t clear who the document was addressed to. It was part of a massive grouping Kevin Canberg acquired several years ago related to Fryer, Cavanaugh, and the 43rd New York. The statement that he was “temperate” with no bad habits” suggests to me that it was intended for a Widow’s Pension application but I could not find one in the National Archives.

Transcription

The amputation of the leg was not the cause of death. The result of the amputation on the nervous system after a few years of dragging an artificial leg about, the shock of the severed nerves and arteries, seem to be [the cause]. For several years the abrasions of the skin and flesh with resulting boils and ulcers: Then paroxysms of stinging pain where the scars of the stitches were would throw the man in a fever and would last from one to five minutes, with about the same time of relief. During the time these pains lasted he could not sleep only when after a while he became exhausted he would drop asleep a minute sometimes. The doctors said they could give something to deaden the pain but under the conditions, were afraid it would form a habit and could not cure.

In ’86, he had a serious abscess on the stump which extended almost into his bowels. Was confined to his bed for six weeks suffering terribly. He became greatly emaciated and for the greater portion of his time his life was despaired of. But his good constitution brought him through. After this sickness he never regained his former health. His nerves were very bad and he was excitable. His heart troubled him. He did not get out very much and his stump troubled him more than ever. The kidney trouble was quite advanced when it was first diagnosed and his face bloated some. It was said by the doctors that the kidney disease was brought on by the state of his system and the nervous condition he was in from the access which was the result of the amputation of leg. He was temperate, with no bad habits.