Philippi in Barbour County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

First Amputation of the Civil War

Photographed by Bradley Owen, November 29, 2022

1. First Amputation of the Civil War Marker

Inscription.
On this site, in a Methodist Church, used as a temporary hospital, on June 3, 1861 J. E. Hanger of Mount Hope, Virginia, underwent a leg amputation by Dr. James D. Robison of the sixteenth Ohio Volunteers. This was the first amputation of the Civil War. Mr. Hanger was taken from here to the home of William McClaskey, then to the home of Thomas Hite and exchanged about three months later. He invented an artificial limb and organized a company which became one of the largest manufacturers of artificial limbs in the world, J. E. Hanger, Incorporated.

Erected 1961 by J. E. Hanger, Incorporated.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1861.

Location. 39° 9.173′ N, 80° 2.378′ W. Marker is in Philippi, West Virginia, in Barbour County. It is on Church Street south of North Walnut Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in front of Philippi Baptist Church. Church Street is a one-way street that goes south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 69 Church Street, Philippi WV 26416, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hanger's Limb (a few steps from this marker); Barbour County War Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Firsts (within shouting distance of this marker); Heroes of World War II ☆ Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barbour County Korean War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Philippi (about 300 feet away); Confederate Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Confederate Escape (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philippi.

Other markers no longer nearby. Philippi (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Barbour County Korean War Memorial (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Bradley Owen, November 29, 2022

2. First Amputation of the Civil War Marker

Marker is in the center at ground level.

Site of Home of William McClasky image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, November 29, 2022

3. Site of Home of William McClasky

Located at 3 South Main Street in Philippi.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.