138th PA Infantry. Company E. Mustered in 8/29/1862. Died during the war of wounds received in Monocacy, died in Fredericksburg, MD.

"Case 452. — Private J. O. Blackburn, Co. E, 138th Pennsylvania, aged 35 years, was wounded at Monocacy Junction, July 9, 1864, and admitted to hospital at Frederick on the following day. Assistant Surgeon R. F. Weir, U. S. A., reported the following history: "The injury was caused by a fragment of a shell, which struck the inner side of the left knee, lacerated the soft parts, and comminuted the joint. On the day after his admission the patient was etherized, and the thigh was removed at the lower third, by Acting Assistant Surgeon W. S. Adams. The integuments in this case being in bad condition on the inner side, a circular incision was made to extend half around the limb, a long lateral flap on the outer side and a circular incision through the muscles, and the parts united by sutures and adhesive straps. The patient's condition at the time of the operation was very poor. July 13th, patient irritable; pulse 120; appetite rather poor; no effort at union by first intention. 16th, some evidence of sloughing of the flap. Ordered yeast poultices, also tartrate of potassa and iron in doses of twenty grains three times a day, and continued the stimulants and generous diet. 20th, line of demarcation well marked. 22d, slough being detached at several points; clipped it off with scissors down to the bleeding surface and thoroughly applied oakum saturated with a strong solution of permanganate of potassa, covering the whole with oiled silk. 25th, slough came away nicely, leaving a clean healthy surface. August 1st, patient doing tolerably well; granulations somewhat abundant but pale and flabby. Has obstinate diarrhoea, and is taking opiates and astringents in addition to other treatment. 10th, diarrhoea partially checked; appetite very poor; sloughing has recommenced, and permanganate of potassa is reapplied. 15th, sloughing about ceased. There is but little discharge, and the end of the stump is dry and refuses to granulate. Applied yeast poultice and continued the other treatment. 21st, patient quite despondent and evidently failing rapidly; pulse 140 and scarcely perceptible. Increased the stimulants. 28th, sloughing still continues and patient sinking. 31st, had a haemorrhage from femoral artery to amount of eight ounces; controlled by tourniquet. Haemorrhage occurred again on the following morning and was arrested by the tourniquet, the patient not being in condition to undergo ligation. He died at 7 o'clock P. M., on September 1, 1864." -- The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Part III, Volume II. (3rd Surgical volume) by U. S. Army Surgeon General's Office , 1883.