Near Schuylerville in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
They were cutting off limbs and taking out bullets
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 12, 2024
1. They were cutting off limbs and taking out bullets Marker
The wounded men brought here to His Majesty's General Hospital were often terrified, and for good reason. Without today's knowledge of infection, any simple wound could quickly become a death sentence in 1777. The surgeons and nurses tried their best to lessen the suffering.
When the British retreated, they left more than 400 wounded and sick people. behind. An American soldier wrote down what he saw: These men were lying on straw, on the ground. There were 40 or 50, terribly mangled, and under the care of British surgeons, who had been left to dress their wounds. They were cutting off limbs and taking out bullets, the whole presenting a scene of distress not to be described."
Unfired Musketball
Muskets and rifles fired bullets which were typically half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
Broken Bone
These heavy bullets had the moment to speed through flesh and break bone.
Flatten Musket Ball
Bullets made of soft lead often flattened upon impact.
Erected 2024 by Saratoga National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. 43° 0.102′ N, 73°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Buried Here: Any Hope of Victory (about 300 feet away); British Troops in Blue Coats (about 400 feet away); Why Do the Battles of Saratoga Matter? (about 400 feet away); Get Ready to Retreat (about 500 feet away); Men and Beasts, Hard at Work (about 700 feet away); the Whole Way was marked with Devastation (about 800 feet away); Chasing Burgoyne Changed the World (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hike the Refugee Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schuylerville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Main Crown Forces Hospital (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The River Redoubts (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Burgoynes Retreat (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Readying to Retreat (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Crown Forces Artillery Park (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Crown Forces Baggage Park (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 12, 2024
2. They were cutting off limbs and taking out bullets Marker
