U S Army Gen'l Hosp'l

Fairfax Seminary Va

April 9^th 1865

 

Mrs Hinton

                       

Dear Madam.

Your husband Cap T. J. Hinton is at present a patient in this hospital, as is also his brother Sergt Geo Hinton. They came here from City Point Va. on Thursday last, the 6^th inst. George with his right arm off above the elbow, and your husband with a severe shell wound of the right elbow.

 

            I was satisfied, as soon as I examined the wound, that an operation would be required, but was in hopes that his arm could be saved. This (Sunday) afternoon, / it was decided to operate and he was placed under the influence of Ether. Then a more thorough examination was had, and it was found that the arm could not be saved. The Surgeon in charge would not amputate the arm however without his consent, so we allowed him to come out from the influence of the Ether and then told him just how it was. He seemed perfectly resigned, and willing that we should do the best we could for him, so he was again placed under the Ether, and the arm taken off above the elbow. The operation was performed by Dr David P Smith our Surgeon in Charge and was very successful. He is very comfortable this evening, and will probably have no more trouble. I think he will have a better stump than his brother.

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