JAMES SUDDARD, Surgeon United States Navy to J. B. Creighton, U. S. N, February 15, 1868

Mr. Suddard to Commander Creighton.

Sir: In accordance with your request of this day, I have the honor to inform you that Walter G. Clark, second-class apprentice, was brought on board of this ship about 2 p. m. of Tuesday, the 4th instant, with a gunshot wound of the right shoulder. The ball, supposed to have been discharged from a musket, entered near the top of the shoulder and penetrated inwards towards the scapular region. The shoulder joint seems to have escaped injury. Neither at the time of injury, nor since, has the position of the ball been ascertained. He has not had a bad symptom, and seems to-day to be proceeding rapidly to a state of convalescence. From present appearances, I am of opinion that the injury is not likely to result in permanent inconvenience.

Very respectfully, &c., your obedient servant,