Private James P. Kegerreis, a soldier from Company B of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, demonstrated an impressive recovery after suffering a complex gunshot injury during the Battle of Petersburg on June 17, 1864. A conoidal ball struck Kegerreis below the thyroid cartilage and to the left of the trachea, passing downward and to the right beneath the jugular vein. The bullet damaged a wing of the trachea before exiting above the clavicle, just three inches from the point of entrance. The trajectory of the bullet was altered when it struck the butt of Kegerreis’ musket, re-entering his body in front of the right clavicle, two inches from the acromial end. It continued through the surgical neck of the humerus and exited near the center of the deltoid muscle. The severity of this injury required the excision of the humerus and involved damage to the trachea, clavicle, and shoulder joint. Despite the complexity of the wound, Private Kegerreis remarkably recovered from his injuries, showcasing the resilience of soldiers during the American Civil War and the surgical advancements made during this period.
