Excised Knee Joint. A Round Musket Ball in the Inner Condyle of the Right Femur [Gardiner Lewis, Company B, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers] 1866 - 1867

"Excised Knee Joint. A Round Musket Ball in the Inner Condyle of the Right Femur [Gardiner Lewis, Company B, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers]" is a poignant photograph by William Bell, taken between 1866 and 1867, that documents the physical consequences of the American Civil War. The image shows a knee joint excised from a soldier, Gardiner Lewis, who was wounded by a musket ball during the war. The stark, clinical presentation of the bone fragments, mounted on stands against a dark background, emphasizes the gruesome reality of war and the lasting impact of violence on individuals. The photograph is a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict, serving as a testament to the physical and emotional trauma endured by those who fought in the Civil War. The meticulous detail captured in the image highlights the photographic skill of William Bell, who used his art to document the realities of the war.