George F Durkee
Birth: Oct. 22, 1835, New York.
Death: Feb. 29, 1892.
Wife: Susan A Stratton Durkee (1844 - 1908).
Burial: Jewell City Cemetery, Jewell, Jewell County, Kansas.
MILITARY SERVICE:
Age: 28, credited to Chittenden, VT.
Unit(s): 9th VT INF, VRC
Service: enl 12/3/63, m/i 12/26/63, PVT, Co. B, 9th VT INF, wdd, Newport Barracks, 2/2/64, tr to VRC 12/14/64, m/o 9/14/65
Medical Pension.
CASE 822. Private G. F. Durkee, Co. B, 9th Vermont, aged 28 years, was wounded in the left ankle during the engagement at Newport Barracks, February 2, 1864, and entered Mansfield Hospital, Moorehead City, four days afterwards. Surgeon J. B. Bellangee, U. S. V., in charge, reported the injury and added that the internal malleolus was fractured; also that he removed the comminuted bone two days after the patient s admission. The patient subsequently passed through various hospitals, and on December 14, 1864, he was assigned to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Surgeon H. Janes, U. S. V., in charge of Sloan Hospital, Montpelier, contributed a photograph of the case (Card Photographs, Vol. Ill, p. 44), with the following history: "The wound was caused by a mini6 ball, which entered at a point just external and above the internal malleolus, passed directly downward and emerged at the inside of the sole of the foot, fracturing the tibia and opening the ankle joint. The patient stated that a number of pieces of bone were removed at first, and that several necrosed pieces came away afterwards.
At the time of the injury he was in excellent health, and his appetite continued pretty good all the time. At first suppuration was profuse; large abscesses formed in the leg and he became much prostrated. Free incisions were made and cold-water dressings were applied. About April 1st the wound began to improve. It gradually but steadily grew better, and finally closed about the middle of July. He was not able to do without crutches until the latter part of September. After being transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps he never had to be excused from duty on account of ill health or lameness.
On September 14, 1865, when discharged from service, he could flex the foot on the leg to a right angle and extend it about ten degrees more. He was able to walk four or five miles a day, but the joint would swell after going any considerable distance. There was also some tenderness on pressure about the joint." Various examining surgeons have certified to the injury and have stated that "the ankle joint is restricted in its motion;" also that there is a depression on the inner side of the foot, and that the leg is atrophied and shows several sears from abscesses. The pensioner was paid September 4, 1880.
