The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-11-09
THE KANE EXPEDITION.

| DR.. kane's search have wild interest. "A
one time 1t became necessary to send ia
tigue party with provisions, to assist the mali
party under Dr. Kane, in an attempted pas
sage across Smiths sound. This party VA
under the command of Mr.. Brooks, first off
Ger of the expedition. He was accompanie,
by Mr.. Wilson and othor volunteers. Durin,
their travel they found the ice completed,
impenetrable, and snow drift at last swep
widely over the foes, and in the midst of
heavy gale from the North, the thermometer
to their dsmay, sunk to fifty-seven degree,
below zero. Human nature could not sup
port the terrible cold. Four of the party
including Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Wilson, wer,
prOstrated with frozen feet, and with gtea
difficulty, three of their companions, afte
enconntering great suffering, reached the shiI
and announced the condition of their com
rades. Their chances of being rescued seem
ed extremely small. They were in the mids
of wilderness of snow, incapable of mo-
tion, protected only by canvass tent, and
with no land marks by which their position
could be known. Even to drag these main.
ed men would have been, under ordinary cir.
cumstances, q work of difficulty, but to
the slender party left at the ship, it seemed
to be impossible. DR.. Kane, with the bold.
ness and courage which justified the warm
attachment felt towards him by all under his
command, in less than one hour organized n
rescuing party, leaving on board only those
who were necessary to receive the sick, and
started off in the teeth of n terrific gale, steer
ing by compass to rescue the sufferers. After
nineteen hours constant travel, during which
two of the party tainted, and others required
to be kept from sleep by force, they struck
the trail of the lost party, and finally, stag.
gering under their burden, one by one reach.
ed the tent, which was almost hidden in snow.
The scene as DR.. Kane entered the tent
was affecting beyond description. The party
burst unto tears. A blubber fire was imme-
diately built, pemmican cooked, and the par.
ty ate for the first time after leaving the yes.
sci. Ice was also melted, they having been
to this time without drink. Worn out MS
they were, but four hours were allowed for
The halt The manned of the frozen party
were sewed up in Buffalo robes, placed on
sedges and dragged along by their compan.
ions. DR.. Kane walked in advance picking
the track. Cold of the utmost severity again
overlook them. Bonsal and Morton, and
even the Esquimaux boy, Hance, sunk upon
the snow with sleep. 1t was only by force
that they were aroused and made to proceed,
as the cold seemed TO have destroyed all con-
ccption of danger. A large bear, met on
their way, was fortunately scared off by DR..
Kane, by the simple waving of his haLd.-
They reached the ship after walk of sixty
two hours, still dragging their companions
behind them, bnt nsensibe. DR.. Hayes, the
intelligent surgeon Of the ship, from whom
we obtained the particulars of this fearful
adventure, received the returning party. Two
of the number died Of their injuries, two
others underwent amputation, who are now
restored to perfect health. The condition of
those who dragged the sick was most amen
table. Their memory for the time was en-
lirely gone, and the ship, in the midst of
delirium, resembled an insane hos
ptal. The surgeon and one remaining at.
tendant was in sole charge Of the ship. In this
state of semi-madness the sick remained for
,wo or three days, but afterwards they entire.
y recovered, and the party under DR.. Kane
started three weeks afterwards and resumed
heir labors in the field.
Intrepidity, like this, has never been sur
passed. 1t is spoken of with emotion, even
low, by the stoutest hearts in the expedition.
H. 49, & L. Al III; 1