This soldier fell from his horse and was hospitalized for several months with a broken sternum and other injuries. He was never able to return to full duty. The McClellan saddle, designed by a United States Army officer, was in use during the Civil War.
Invalid — 107,891 / 94,112
Sworn Statement, W.H. Gray, MD, 19 April 1866
“[Major Jenkins] was severely injured by the falling of his horse while in the line of duty at Camp Mix near Fort Monroe, Va. about the month of January 1864. … He was in hospital several months, and being unable to perform either Drill, Guard, or Fatigue duty was detailed as Hospital Attendant.”
Examining Surgeon’s Certificate, James Williamson, MD, Portsmouth, Virginia, 20 November 1866
“disability resulting from a fracture of the sternum … is One Fourth (1/4) incapacitated for obtaining his subsistence by manual labor from the cause above stated …. This person received a fracture of the ‘breast bone’ by a fall from a horse whilst in the cavalry service. His post office is Norfolk, Va.”
Sworn Statement, Major Jenkins, 25 March 1867
“He enlisted at Norfolk, Va. on the 16th Dec 1863, and went with said Company to Camp Hamilton near Fortress Monroe. That whilst on drill, his horse became unmanageable and rearing up and fell upon his back catching the affiant under him and crushing his breast and right ribs and injuring him seriously his right shoulder. That he was never able afterwards to join the company in active duty, but spent his time in the hospital and around the camp, in some light service, till his discharge … he has been rendered altogether incapable of manual labor”
Sworn Statement, 2nd Lieutenant Charles H. Hart, 1 November 1868
“He was acquainted with Major Jenkins… the said Major Jenkins was injured while on drill, by the rearing & falling of his horse upon him & nearly crushing him to death. His life was despaired of for weeks afterward…. He was unable to speak aloud when I saw him last which was in November 1867 & at times he is troubled for breath … The horse fell upon him in such a manner as to crush his breast by the pommel of the saddle & the cantle of the saddle striking him in the stomach.”
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 
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