Title: The Amazing Legacy
of James E. Hanger, Civil War Soldier
Author: Robert J. O’Connor
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Pages: 298
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback
Purchase at AMAZONAuthor: Robert J. O’Connor
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Pages: 298
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback
James
E. Hanger was wounded at Philippi ,
Virginia on June 3, 1861 and became the first
amputee of the American Civil War. He hated the Yankee peg leg his Union doctor
gave him. Instead, he used his ingenuity and engineering background to invent
an artificial leg with a joint at the knee and a hinge at the ankle. He
patented his Hanger Limb.
His
invention revolutionized the prosthetic industry. The company Mr. Hanger
founded still operates today (Hanger Inc.) as the country’s largest provider of
artificial limbs. His story is quite remarkable.
We arrived
in Philippi in the early morning. I asked
directions and then drove the buggy directly to the Garrett Johnson farm. I
knocked on the door and asked for Mr. Johnson. An elderly gentleman came to the
door. He said he was Mr. Johnson. I introduced myself and my wife, telling him
who I was and why I was here. He invited us to come in and sit down.
“You
are a legend in this town, Mr. Hanger,” Mr. Johnson said. “The first amputee of
the War Between the States. I had heard the accident and the amputation of your
injured leg had taken place in my barn. You look like you are doing well.” He
was looking me over, likely trying to see if he could figure out which of my
legs had been lost in his barn. I don’t think he could figure it out.
“The
action that took place here in your barn and in Philippi
changed my life forever,” I explained. “I now am a businessman. I didn’t
volunteer for the distinction or the fame. But I have made the best of it. My
company provides artificial limbs for veterans from both the North and the
South.”
I
rolled up my pants leg and showed him my Hanger limb. I continued. “I think
some good has come out of that crazy war. I would like to show Nora the barn.”
I rolled my pants back down.
“Do you
mind if I walk with you?”
“Of
course not.”
He walked
to the door of his house and held it for us. He led us to the barn. The closer
I got to the building, the harder my heart began to race.
When we
walked into the barn, it looked just like I had remembered all these years.
There was nothing unique about it. I certainly remembered being in this barn
before. I didn’t have to say anything to Nora. She knew the story. The barn was
where the wayward cannon ball had mangled my leg. This was where the men had
lifted me onto what I was told was a door. And this is where Dr. Robison’s
surgery had saved my life.
I had
to lean on the wall to hold myself up. I started to quietly cry. I was
embarrassed, but could not stop. I tried to remember the excruciating pain I
must have felt or the horrible sound of the doctor’s bone saw cutting through
my leg. I could not remember either.
But I
did remember Dr. Robison’s description of the operation and the pain that I
endured for weeks and weeks afterwards. It seemed so real, like it was
happening all over again. I crumbled onto the floor. Nora stood by quietly. I
cried loudly, unable to stop. My thoughts of what happened here enveloped
me. I was unable to move.
Dr.
Robison’s face appeared clearly in my mind. He had been so calm in telling me
several days later what had happened. He acted like it was routine – no big
thing. Yet he must have been afraid too. That was his first amputation. I had
not felt even one thread of doubt that he had done the best he could. His
determination and confidence helped calm my fears. Dr. Robison was a Union
doctor who had operated on a Confederate soldier. I still have problems
imagining that just any Union doctor would have tried to save me. After all, I
was the enemy. Yet Dr. Robison had conducted the operation, as he said, the
same as if I had been his own son. And his successful surgery had pretty much
been an integral part of every other step that I had taken in the last twenty
years. I owed him everything.
I was
so overcome with emotion that I was unsure if I could go on. I had to take deep
breaths to bring myself back into the present.
Nora
stood beside me as she had for so many years. She had heard my story. We both
had wondered what would happen when I returned. Now we knew. It had been
exhausting for me.
I
finally struggled to get up. Nora knew I had to do this on my own, but held out
her hand. She wanted me to know it was there, even if I wasn’t going to take
it. This time I did take it. I let her help me up. She held me tight for
several minutes to let me know that everything was all right.
We
finally moved on. I was still shaken, but knew I had to leave.
My wife
wondered out loud if going into the barn had jarred my memory. She asked me if
I remembered getting hit by the cannonball or going through the operation.
“Not
really,” I admitted. “And perhaps it is a good thing that I don’t remember.”
We
walked back to the buggy. I thanked Mr. Johnson. And we left. I turned the
buggy and travelled across the long covered bridge. I asked a lady on the
street to point out the United Methodist Episcopal Church on Church Street in the downtown.
Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE
About the Author
Bob O’Connor’s first book was published in 2006. He now has ten books published including 6 historical novels and 4 non-fiction books. He has been named finalist four different times in national book competitions conducted by Indie Excellence Awards and USA Books.
O’Connor writes about the Civil War in a way in which persons of interest find compelling as he writes about the soldiers on the front lines instead of the generals and the battle strategy. He speaks around the country on the Civil War and has appeared over 600 times in 18 states since his first book was published. His presentations have spanned the spectrum, as he has spoken to first graders and cadets at the U.S. Naval Academy, in national parks and public libraries, at historical societies and Civil War round tables.
His main topics include abolitionist John Brown, Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguard (Ward Hill Lamon), the United States Colored Troops, the invention of modern prosthetics, and brothers fighting against brothers.
His latest book is the historical fiction, The Amazing Legacy of James E. Hanger, Civil War Soldier.
You can find out more about the author at his website www.boboconnorbooks.com or connect with him on Facebook.
No comments:
Post a Comment