Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Crutch |
Catalog Number |
0985.13.01432a-b |
Description |
This is a pair of crutches with remnants of horse hair covered in leather for the arm rests. The legs of the crutches are a single wooden pole. The old museum number "43" is on one leg near the arm rest and a red ribbon is tied in the other crutch. |
Dimensions |
L-55 inches |
Owned |
Thomas Roane; Richard Barnes; Thomas Roane Barnes Wright |
Owner Regiment |
Richmond Howitzers (2nd Co.) 55th Virginia Infantry, Co. A |
Provenance |
This a pair of crutches used in three wars: Used by Col. Thomas Roane in the Revolutionary War; his son-in-law, Col. Richard Barnes, in War of 1812; and Col. Roane's great-grandson, 2nd Lieutenant (later Judge) Thomas Roane Barnes Wright, in the Civil War. He had been serving as 55th Virginia Infantry, Co. A. Wright was "desperately wounded" by a minie ball at Peebles' Farm on September 30, 1864. This same volley killed his brother Richard. Thomas lost a limb but returned to his unit sometime after being listed in hospital on March 11, 1865. Thomas Wright "was dangerously wounded in the Confederate charge of Fort McCrae in front of Petersburg, Virginia, on the Squirrel Level Road, September 30, 1864. After lying, entirely exposed, on the battlefield for several days and nights, he was carried to the old Seabrook warehouse, and thence to Chimborazo hospital, Richmond, where for many days he lingered between life and death." (from "Men of Mark in Virginia: Ideals of American Life," Volume 3, edited by Lyon Gardiner Tyler, p. 453). |
People |
Roane, Thomas Barnes, Richard Wright, Thomas Roane Barnes |
Search Terms |
American Revolution Revolutionary War Revolutionary War War of 1812 |
Subjects |
Medical aspects of war Medical care Medical equipment & supplie Wounded in war Wounds & injuries |