American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-09-29
The Fever at Norfolk and Portsmouth
Death Of Mr. Ferguson.

b
The Steamer North Carolina came up
yesterday, bringing forty eight hours later
intelligence from Norfolk and Portsmouth.
The intelligence is Of the same sad and dis
heartening character. The disease seems
rather to increase than abate in maligniy,
and the deaths, when the reduced popuIa.
ton is considered, are more numerous than
at any period during the prevalence of the
sconrge. The worst fears in relation TO Mr..
Ferguson, the devoted and self sacrificing
President of the Howard Association, have
been verified. He died early on Saturday
morning, martyr 10 the oneIous duties
which he so nobly assumed aud conscien-
,iousIy discharged. His sickness was brief
but violent, and resisted the earnes, efforts
that we've made to save his life.
To DIR. J. +, Powell, the physician Of n.
Carolina. we are again indebted for an in
te!ligent and reliable account Of the condi
ton of affairs at Norfolk and Portsmouth up
to Saturday afternoon.
STEAMER NORTH CAROLINA,
September %, 1855.
NORFOLK; IL M.--Nothing could be more
appalling than tho present aspect of affairs in
Norfolk. During the last few days the wca-
'her has been exceedingly uniavorable for
those suffering with the fever, consequently
most OF the cases which occurred on Mon
day have terminated fatally. ] regre, that
the energetic President Of the Howard Az.
ISOLATION has fallen a victim TO the cause of
humanity. He brea,hed his last about six
O'Clock This morning. His death has cast a
deeper shade over the previously saddened
couneuances OF those who remain. 1t wo'd
be Impossible to give any approximation,
TO The actual picture of distress now present
~ in Norfolk. Those abroad have no con-
cep,ion of how bad it really is Physicians
regard The disease as having lost none of its
malignancy. On the contrary, the poison
appears to have acquired augmented power.
There were 40 interments on Thursday aud
% yesterday. Thirty orders for collins had
been left with the uudertakers this morning
up TO 10 o'clock. Ten deaths occurred dur
ing last night.
a correspondent of the Despatch, writing
from Norfolk, details the following incidents
OF the pesljlence:
A large volume could be flied with in
ciden,s af thrilling nature connected with
the appalling scourge that has swept through
our unfortunate city, and borne away like
deluSe: so many OF the people.
will not now attempt description Of
some scenes of paintul interest that have
Witnessed. | may do this hereafter. The
doings OF death around me, the fearful ma
Lightly OF the disease, and the deep gloom
that has settled down upon nature, animate
and manimate, unfit the mind for the exer.
Csc OF calm thought, and unnsrve the hand
that would picture out in appropriate lam
gua2c the scenes Of woe, suffering, and be-
reayement 50 common in this intensely at
tiCted city. Let the following hasty sketch
suffice for the present:
Il was sultry, humid night. The old
church clock had slowly and loudly tolled
off the solemn midnight hour; dim light
was burning in an infected room, where a
man lay, burning with the dreaded fever, s.
tossing about the bed. The fearful disease
was at work upon the seat Of thought, and
he moaned and sung aloud.
Another sufferer, an esteemed young ply
sician, languished in the las, awful Stage of
the fatal malady, IN another room OF the
same house. The black vomil has COM
menCed-he was dying. His companion in
misery sung on--now groaniug aloud, and
anon singing part Of some old tune he had
learned perhaps in his youthful DAYS, all un.
conscious Of the disturbance he was Great
ing Suddenly he felt gentle pressure up.
on his hot dry brow! His incoherent Jar
gon ceased, his red eyes looked upwards
with dull stare, and fair stranger was
seen standing at his bedside Her delicate
arm was extended her small soft hand was
on his scotching forehead.
For some moments not word was 500.
ken. The sick man was almos, startled n,
first; his reason partially returned and for a
while he forgot his pain and misery, and
hushed the cries OF distress uttered in his
delirium.
"Who s this?" muttered the sufferer. The
response was in low. soft and pleasant &C
cents. lie for the first time saw this mes.
seDger Of mercy as she stood calmly and Ell
lenOy beside him, o the still midnight hour.
The gentle and almost magic touch Of the
fair. soft hand, the mild look, the few peace.
Iul words Of womanly Kindness had perhaps
reached his heart, and caused some fibta
that had been untuued by the fever that had
scorched him. to vibfatt gently TO the sound
Of strange but pleasant female voice.
There were no quick or harsh words ut.
tered BY the lady. These might perhaps
have increased the violence OF his fever. But
rs il vas, he was subdued--at leas, for
while.
That lady was Miss Andrews, who has
done so much to alleviate the worst cases Of
disease and suffering, She silently left the
room, TO witness in anothe the fearful yom.
things and writhiDg of the dying maj and
10 console him in bls last moments. The o.
ihet sufferer resumed his desultofy cries and
iargon songs. Bat soon reason and quiet
returned again, and tba, sick man felt gate.
ful as the, circumstance came groduslIy 10