Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-11-19
Fom the North Carolina Standard.

AS every thing relating TO the last moments
of that lamented patriot, Louis D. Wilson,
must possess peculiar interest for the peo-
pie of North Carolina, we lay before our rea-
ders the following note from an esteemed
friend at Marlborough, accompanied by letter
from Dr. McFarlane, Surgeon OF the Army, to
Col. Wilson. Governor of Vera Cruz, in which
a statement is made of As all the particulars of
his sickness down to the period of his death
Our friend at Marlborough writes as follows
TARBoRoUGH, (EDGEcoMBE,)l
" NoVember 4, 1847.
"MY DEAR SIR: enclose You letter, re-
ceived few days since, from Dr. McFarlane,
Surgeon of the United States Army, who was
in attendance upon Col. Louis D. Wilson from
the moment of his attack down to the fatal
termination of his malady.
The letter, YOU will observe, is addressed
TO Col. Henry Wilson, the Military Comman-
dant of Vera Cruz, and was transmitted to me
in reply 10 communication addressed TO the
latter gentleman, instituting enquiries as to
his disease and death 1t may, therefore, be
regarded in the light OF an Official Report.
GAS every thing connected with the last mo
ments of the lamented dead will be read with
deep interest by his friends throughout the
State, send it to you for publication. Poor
Wilson! His unfaltering spirit displayed it.
self to the last, and the last pulsations Of his
patriotic heart were for the honor of the ser.
vice IN which he was engaged.
"Yours very truly"
The following is the letter of Dr. AlcFar
lane, referred 10 in the preceding note:
"VERA Cruz, Sept. 80, l847.
SIR: In accordance with your desire Il
have statement made of all the particular.
in relation to the sickness & death of COL VIII
son, have the honor 10 report that for the be
neft of fresh air and agreeable location, Col
Wilson, from the period of his arrival in Yer;
Cruz, had spent his nights on board the U. S
ship American, lying near the Castle OF Sal
Juan De UIIoa
During the day he was constantly and asid
uous,y engaged. frequently with great expo
sure, in expedting the departure of the trail
under his command
"On the night of the 5th of August, afte
every arrangement had been completed for tn
departure of the Train, he was attacked will
the Yellow Fever at midnight, he being thel
on board the ship American, above allude
10.
81 was not apprised of his illness unit
morning, when FASTENED on board the ship
and as soon as possible had him removed OIL
shore, and placed in the care of the most kind
skiIful and attentive female nurse in the cit
Of Vera Cruz.
81 need not add that every exertion wa
made, which an experience and familiarit'
with the treatment of Yellow Fever for TWEEN
ty years past, enabled me 10 employ; but tn
high state of excitement which accompane
the entire perioi of his disease, seemed to BIZ
defiance TO all the remedies applied, and h
| continued gradually, but steadily to decline
| until the 18th day of August, when he eX
| pired at about 4 o'clock, Nj
Il attribute COL Wilson's death, not s
much to the Yellow Fever, with which h
was attacked. as to the high state OF excite
ment under which he labored. arising fror
his disappointment in not being able TO accom-
panv the Train under his command he helm
in possession of dispatches which he believe
20 he of immense Importance, and which h
reformed me he ha promised to deliver wit
! his own hand to General Scott He hal re
peateA interviews with Major Lally, who {
ventuaily commanded the Train, and frequent
Iy ana urgently insisted on being placed in :
ambulance AMI sent along with the Train. i
as he was, but this would have b, en- insanity
"He made no communication of any kin
in relation to his own affairs-in fact, he spok
of nothing but the departure OF the uain with
out him, and it is TO that circumstance that
cannot hut attribute the eventual fatality {
his maia1y
"Of the necessity or utility of the departuI
of he train at that precise moment, undt
another commander, it is rot a part Of my pre-
vince 10 speak.
"The remains of COL Wilson, were reno
we'd at my suggestion, by the Colonel Con
manla TO the Palace, and were deposited
a zinc coffin enclosed in one OF mahogany, an
inferred with military honors in vault of II
Cementry, where they can at any moment /
removed by the desire of his friends, though
would recommend that il be postponed for
month from this period
1.-The above comprises all that can rec;
pitulate in relation 10 the last illness of Co
Wilson
q have the honor to he your obeiient Sc
want, J. S. McFARLANE,
Surgeon I. S Army"
To Col. Henry Wilson, Gov'r of Vera Cruz.