Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-07-09
ACCOUNT OF GEN, JACKsoN's

LAST MOMENTS FROM HIS FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
Nashville, Tenn. 8, June, 1916.
DEAR SIR lit is probable, before thus letter
shall have reached you, you will have heard Of
the death of our venerable friend, General An
drew Jackson, who departed this life on yester-
day afternoon, precisely at o'clock. Knowing
that you have been left his papers, and being well
assured that you have always taken lively in.
terest in him when living, and believing you would
be pleased to know something of his last moments
in life, have though, proper TO make you this
communication, as | saw much of him during his
last illness, and was present at his death. have
been frequently 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, General Robert Armstrong.
We found him very feeble, laboring under drop
steal particularly that torn of dropsy
known as annsarcha. He informed me he had
suffered much bodily pain, in consequence Of the
great efusion or swollen condition of his extremi.
lies. The cough which had harrassed him so
much for years. had nearly or quite left him but
his difficulty ofbreathiug seemed to be Increas ed.
The remedies appeared al flrst 10 afford hIaii
considerable relief as it respected his dropsicay
condition but his system bad been so undermln-
ed by previous disease, that medicine appeared
to have lost its impression effect. The dropsi
cal effuson returned, and was requested TO visit
him on the first of this instant and found him suf
fering exclusively from the distenlion occasioned
by the accumulation of water. | Immediately
tapped him, and drew off considerable quantity
of water, which afforded him immediate relief
He took an anodyne at night, and informed me,
the next morning that he had passed better night
than he had done fo- the las; six months.
Doctors Robertson and Waters were in consul.
tation on the next morning. We agreed on pre-
scription, which was aiministered,and which gave
him temporary relief This was all we could ex-
pect TO obtain. considering his situation. | was
sent for again on Saturday, The 9Th instant. The
messenger informed ne that the general was much
worse. fastened to the Hermitage, and found
him very much exhausted. He had great diff
Guilty in respiration, in consequence OF an accu-
mutation of water in his chest. He requested |
should remain with him, as he was well aware
that his dissolution was near at hand He look
an anodyne and expectorant,and appeared TO pass
the first part of the night tolerably comortabe.--
He had not been able to lie down for the last six
months. He had to be proped up in his bed at
night, and in his arm chair during the day. On
Sunday morning, the 9Th instant, (the day on
which he ded.) on entering his room, | found
him sitting in his arm chair, with his own two
faithful servants, George and Dick, by his side,
who had just removed him from his bed. l i'm.
mediaiely perceived that the hand of dea,h was
upon him. Informed his son that he could not
survive but few hours and he Immediately
despatched servant for Major William b. Lew
is the Generals devoted friend Mr. Jackson in