Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-07-03
ACCOUNT OF GEN. JACKSON'S
LAST MOMENTS, FROM HIS
FAMILY PHYSICIAN.


We are favored with the original of the
following letter, which will be interesting
to all our readers-W Washington Union,
"Mashuilh, Tenn, June 9th 1915.
Dear Sir-It is probable, before this
letter shall have reached you you will have
heard of the death of our venerable friend,
General Andrew Jackson, who departed
this life on yesterday afternoon, precisely
at six o'clock. Knowing you have been
left his papers, and being well assured
that you have taken lively interest IN
him while living, and believing you would
be pleased to know something of his last
moments in life, | have thought proper TO
make you this communication, as | saw
much of him during his last illness, and
was present at his death. | have been fire.
quently in his family, as physician, for
several years past; and on my return
home from the east, in April, visited
him in company with his particular friend
Gen. Robert Armstrong. We found him
very feeble, laboring under dropsica af-
iection-particularly that form of dropsy
known as anasarcha. He informed me
he had suffered much bodily pain, in con-
sequence of the great effusion or swollen
condition OF his extremeties. The cough
which had harrassed him so much for
years, had nearly or quite left him; but his
difficulty OF breathing appeared to be in
creased. | prescribed for him, and visited
him occasionally. The remedies appeared
at first to afford him considerable relief,
as it respected his dropsicaI condition; but
his system had been so undermined by
previous disease that medicine appeared to
have lost its impression or effect. The
dropsical effnson returned, and | was re-
quested to visit HIM on the first OF this in
slant, and found him suffering excessively
from the dstention occasioned by the ac-
emulation of water, which afforded him
immediate reliei He took an anodyne at
night, and informed me the next morning
that he had passed better night than he
had done for the last six months.
Drs Robertson and Waters were in con-
sultation on the neat morning. We a.
greed on a prescription which was admin
istered, and which gave him temporary re-
lief This was all we could expect to OBJ
tain, considering his situation, | was sent
for again on Saturday, the 9TH inst. The
messenger informed me that the General
was much worse. fastened to the Her.
mitagc, and found him much exhausted
He had great difficulty in respiration, in
consequence of an accumulation Of water
in his chest He requested should re-
main with him, as he was well aware that
his dissolution was near at hand Hetook
an anoyne and expectorant, and appeared
to pass the first part of the night toierably
comfortable. He had not been able to he
down for the last six months. He had to
be propped up in his bed at night, and in
his armchair during the day. On Sun
day morning, the Sth inst, Uhc day on
which he dled), on entering his room |
found him sitting in his arm chair, with
his two faithful servants, George and Dick,
by his side, who had Just removed him
from his bed, | Immediately perceived
that the hand of death was upon him. Il in
formed his son that he could not survive
but few hours; and he Immediately des-
patched a servant for Major William B.
Lewis, the Generals devoted friend, Mr.
Jackson informed me that il was the Gen
erals request that, in case he grew worse,
or was thought to be near his death, Major
Lewis should be sent for, as he wished
him to be nea. him in his last moments -
lie was instantly removed to his bed; but,
before he could be placed there, he had
swooned away. His family and servants,
believing him to be dead. were very much
alarmed, an manifested the most intense
grief however, in few seconds reaction
took place, and he became conscious, and
raised his eyes and said, "My dear chill.
dren, do not grieve for me; it is true, am
going to leave you II am well aware OF
my situation; have suffered much bodily
pain; but my sutferinss are but as nothing,
compared with that which our blessed
Saviour endured upon that accused cross,
that me might all be saved who put their
trust in him." He first addressed Mrs
Jackson, (his daugh,er-in-law,) and took
leave of her, reminding her of her tender
kindness manifested towards him at all
times, and especially during his protract-
ed illness. lie next took leave Of Mrs
Adams Ga widowed sister Of Mrs Jackson,
who has been a member Of the Generals
family for several years, in the most kind
and afiectionate manner, reminding her
also o. her tender devotion towards him
during his illness. He next took leave of
his adopted son in the most affec:lonate
and devoted manner. He next took leave
of his grandchildren and the children of
Mrs Adams. lie kissed and blessed them
ia a manner so touchingy impressive, that
| have no language that can do this scene
Justice. He discovered that there were
two of the boys absent-one of his grand
sons and one of Mrs Adams's. He in
quired for them. He was informed that
they were at the chapel, attending Sunday
school. lie desired that they should be
sent for. AS soon as they came, he kissed
and blessed them aso as he had done to
those with him. By this time, most of his
servants had collected in his room, or in
the windows. When he had taken leave
of them ALL he delivered one OF the most