Abner O. Shaw

Abner Ormiel Shaw (February 16, 1837 – January 27, 1934) was an American physician from Maine who served in the Civil War with the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Early life Abner Orimel Shaw was born on February 16, 1837, to Eaton Shaw and Mary Roberts in Readfield, Maine. He was the son of a Methodist minister whose ancestors came to America on the Mayflower. Upon reaching adulthood Shaw set out for New York City where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons intent on realizing his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

Civil War While studying to become a Doctor in New York the Civil War broke out and Shaw broke off his medical study to enlist, serving in the 7th New York Militia as a foot soldier. Getting leave to return to school Shaw graduated in 1863 and was soon assigned to the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment as assistant surgeon.

The famous regiment had just won many laurels at the Battle of Gettysburg but had done so without a surgeon with them. The newly arrived Shaw soon had his hands full when the regiment's colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain lost consciousness after ignoring early warning signs of malarial fever. Chamberlain was apparently impressed with their new Assistant Surgeon for he wrote to the governor requesting that Shaw be made full Surgeon rather than bringing in a new Surgeon who would then out rank him.

And then a month later in another note to the Governor he added "Dr. Shaw is giving the best of satisfaction – few surgeons within my observation have been so faithful and have won the general good will of the Brigade, to the degree he has."

Using a metal catheter much like the one seen at right, Shaw was able to get most of the urine to drain from its normal course rather than out through the wound, with that in place Shaw was then able to slow bleeding enough by locating and tying off major arteries that Chamberlain not only survived the night, but he lived for another 50 years before infection of the same wound finally killed him in 1914.

Shaw went on to serve in the battles of Weldon Railroad, Peeble's Farm and Hatcher's Run. He was appointed acting Brigade Surgeon December 1, 1864, after Dr Townsend, the previous chief was mustered out with his regiment the 44th New York. Shaw resigned February 22, 1865, after developing malaria.

Shaw died of pneumonia at the age of ninety-six at his Bowdoin Street home in Portland, Maine's West End on January 27, 1934.

He is buried in his family's mausoleum in Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine.

Tomb of the Shaw family in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine.