While On the Subject of Antietam and Connecticut-- Part 3: A Bloody Mess

Field surgeons were overwhelmed by the wounded and soon ran out of bandages and began using corn leaves. 

B.F. Blakeslee of the 16th Connecticut described the scene at the field hospital:  In a room 12-by-20 feet a bloody table stood and around it five surgeons.  A wounded man was laid on the table and it took but a few seconds for them to decide what to do and but a few minutes to do it.

The amputated limbs were thrown out the window.  In 48 hours there were as many as two cartloads of amputated legs, feet, arms, and hands in the pile."

Of note, the Battle of Antietam was fought on the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Old Secesh