Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-09-13
The Epidemic in Norfolk and Portsmouth

We regret to learn, by letter received from
Norfolk, that DR.. George L. Upshur sis SICK"
but the hope was expressed that "it only pro-
ceeded from fatigue, as his labors have been
incessant." God grant that it may be so.
DR.. Upshur is the popular physician to the
Marine Hospital and withal, is not only tai.
ented and skilful in his profession, but gen.
tleman Of most courteous address and urbane
manners. When the yellow fever broke out
in Norfolk, DR.. Upshur was called in, and so
long as it was confined to Barry's Row." he
was the only physician who attended the I'M
fortunate inmates; and when the disease as
sumed an epidemic form, in common with the
other resident physicians, and those noble
souls from other cities, who took their lives in
their hands, and proceeded to Norfolk on their
errand Of mercy, he devoted himself to the
humane work of administering to the wants of
his suffering fellow citizens, relieving the sick
and soothing the last hours Of the dying. The
hearts of thousands who know his self-sacri-
fcing spirit, will send up ardent prayers to
God for his restoration to health, and the pre-
servation Of his life.
Since writing the above, Intelligence has
reached US that the Doctor certainly has the
fever.
We stated yesterday, on the authority of an
exchange paper, that the post Offices in Nor
folk and Portsmouth were closed. This, we
learn, is erroneous. The postmaster at Norfolk,
(Dr. Galt,) though several of the members of
his family are sick with the fever, has attended
in person to the duties of his Office, in associa.
ton with but one clerk, the others being alb.
sent on account of the prevalent disease.
The report that small por had broken out
in Norfolk is incorrect. Several cases had oc-
CURED in the county but none in the city
We stated, yesterday, that Mr.. Thos Briggs,
of W Washington, had fallen victim to the yell
low fever. He was a native of Cambridge,
England. He left that country in 1895. lie
served in the army of the United States as
sergeant in Capt Kirby's company Of the I'd
artillery during the Florida war, and subse-
quently in the Northeast boundary commits
sion under Major Graham. In both these posi-
tOns his brave and generous conduct ELECTED
the praise of his superiors and admiration Of
his associates. He afterwards followed his
business that of a tailor in this city. When
the desolating fever broke out he was the first
here who volunteered his services as a nurse,
and, relinauishing the business in which he
was engaged, he left for Norfolk without Pc
cuniary assistance and with bare enough in
his pocket to carry him thither. His services
in the infected region were highly appreciated,
and his universal kindness and sympathy
drew towards him the hearts of all under his
charge. He died a martyr in the cause of HUI
manity, and the surviving recipients of his
srf hn.- Iao 49,
to his memory.
The Norfolk Dispatch, of last evening, says:
It having been stated that Miss Andrews,
the humane lady who came from New York to
nurse the sick, was herself among those down
with the fever, we are requested to state that
she has not had the fever. She was little
indisposed for day but she is ectiveIy en-.
gagged in attending the sick. She is now in
Portsmouth family, nursing the wife of min
lister, who is sick with the fever"
Rev Mr. Hume, Baptist clergyman from
Portsmouth, who has had the fever, arrived
in Richmond on Tuesday, to confer with q
committee Of the councils. lie thinks the
fever will soon subsde, but represented the
distress as awful and removal of the popu-
lation as impracticable. He returned to Ports
mouth yesterday, and will bring back to Rich
mond number of orphan children.
FROM SUFFOLK, ETC.
Suffolk, Sept. IL, p. m.-No additional
case of fever has occurred in this town, and
less apprehension is entertained. The parties
who left are principally refugees from Norfolk
and Portsmouth.
DIR. T. NJ Garrett, who lately returned from
Norfolk, is down with the fever in Pitt county,
North Carolina.
We learned this morning that the following
named persons have died Mrs. L. Sorter, J.
r. johnson, J. S. Loritt and sister, Mrs. L.
Walker, G. Dormey, e., John and Richard
Grandbury, Mary Woodward, A. Briggs, R.
Undertake, Mrs. John Loyal, Mrs. A. Smith
and threa children, Catherine Baylor, Miss
Sylvester (the last of the family,) Thomas
Cunningham, J. Jsckman, L. Roberts, Mrs
Watts, J. Shuster, ST., Mrs. shuster and Geo.
Shuster.-
Sick: DR.. A. Tunstall and family, Alex.
Tunstall and family, DR.. Upsher, Mr.. Willsin-
son, J Shuster, Jr., Mrs. Shuster.
Thirteen female and male nurses have ar
rived from New Orleans.