Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-10-23
The Kane Expedition.

Some of the episodes encountered during DIR.
Kane's search have wild interest. At one time
il became necessary 10 send n fatigue party
with provisions, to assist the main party IN Ter
Dr. Kane in attempted passage across
Smiths sound. This party was under the com
mand of Mr.. Brooks first officer of the expedi-
ton He was accompanied by Mr.. Wilson aud
other volunteers. During their travel they found
the ice completely impenetrable, mud Il snow
drift at last swept widely over the Hoes, and IN
the mids' of a heavy gale from the North, the
thermometer, TO their dsmay sunk 10 fiity-sevcn
degrees below zero. Human nature could not
support tho terrible cold. -Four of the party.
including Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Wilson, were
FRUSTRATED with frozen feet, aud with Great diff
Guilty three of their companions, after encoun.
tcring great suffering reached, the ship aud
nonnced the condition of their comrades. Their
chances of being rescued seemed extremely
small. They were in the midst of n vii derncss
of snow, incapable Of motion, protected only by
n canvas tent and with no land marks by which
their position could be known. Even TO drug
these manned men would have been, under or
binary circumstances. n work of difficulty, but 10
be the slender party left at the ship. it seemed 10
impossible. DR.. Kane, with the boldness aud
courage which justified the warm attachment felt
towards him by all under his command. in less
than one hour organized a rescuing party, lenv-
ing on board only those who were necessary to
receive the sick, and started off in the teeth of
terrific gale steering by compass TO rescue the
sufferers. After nineteen hours constant travel,
during which two Of the party tainted, and 9th
ers required to be kept from sleep by force, they
struck the trnil of the lost party. and finally.
staggering under their burden, one by one reach
ed the tent which was almost hidden by snow.
The sceno rs DIR. Kane entered the tent was
affecting beyond description. The party burst
INTO tears. A blubbrr fire was immediately built,
Il
time after leaving the vessel. lee was also melt
ed, they having been to this time without drink.
Worn out AS they were, but four hours al
lowed for the halt The mnimcd of the frozen
party vera scwed up in Buffalo robes. placed on
slcdgcs and dragged along by thclr companions
Dr.. Kane walked in advance picking the track.
Cold ct the utmost severity agnin overlook them.
Bonsnll and Morton, and even the E-quinaux
hoy, llancr, sunk upon the snow with sleep. It.
was only by force that they were aroused and
made to proceed, as the cold seemed to have de
stroyed all conception OF danger y large bear,
net on their way, WIS fortunately scared of by
Dr.. Kane, by the simple waving of his hand. -
They reached tn ,hip after n walk Of sixty-two
hours. still dragging their companions behind
them, but nsenshe. DR. lIayes,the intelligent
surgeon of the ship, from whom we obtained the
particulars II hii fearful adrenture received the
returning party. Two of the number died of
their injuries, two others underwent amputotion,
who are now restored te perfect health. The
condition OF those who dragged the sick most
lamonable. Their memory for the time
tirely gone, and the ship, in the midst of lnutter-
ing derium,resembled mn insane hospital The
surgeon aud one remaining attendant was in sole
charge of the ship. In this state of sem-mad
moss the sick remained for two or three days, bat
afterwards they entirely recovered, aud the patty
nIder Dr. Kane started three weeks afterwards
and resumed their abors in the field.
lntrcpdty, Ike this. has never been surI.uss-
eA 1t is spoken Of with emotion, even now. by
ihr stouest hearts in the expedition.