The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-29
NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1856
The Late Epidemic In Portsmouth, and Nor
folk-Fearful Summary OF Its Ravages.

The Late Epidemic In Portsmouth and Nor
folk-Fearful Summary or Its Ravages.
LETTERS IN ANSWER TO THE CIRCULAR OF THE NEW
YORK RELIEF COMMITTEE, REQUESTING A GENERAL
STATEMENT OF THE NUMBER OF ITS VICTIMS AND
THE CONDITION OF THEIR FAMILIES.
PORTSMOUTH, (ya.,) Oct II, 1865.
My DEAR SR:-Yours OF the 18th Is before can
only answer your inquiries approximately, we
have not, amidst the gloom and desoation that has
long shrouded our town, had time to methodize and
arrange the melancholy als into regular report
oithe tour ministers Of the Gospel who remained nown
during the pesence three have diedChrisian heroes
in the performance of their Masters dutythe Rev. f.
pevlin, Catrslc; Rev. Mr.. Chisholm Episcopaan, and
Rev. Eskrdge, Methodist and Chaplain in the w. navy
Mr. Handy Of the Presbyterian church. remained until he
was stricken down by the fever and attempted resume
duty after protracted Illness, but urged by his
medical attendant to leave. am not infinitely informed
as 10 the condition of the families of Mr. Chisholm and
Mr. Eskrdge. The former leaves but one chd-hs wife
died lew months before him. the latter leaves wife and
several children. They all need assistance
OF the eleven native physicians four have died. two Of
hem leaving large families perfectly destitute OF thir
private history we know nothing vet It is melancholy
duty we shall attempt to PERFORM TO acquant ourselves
with the distressing bereavements and loneliness aud
destution occasoned by their DEATH and lastly of the
poor orphans About forty five have been taken charge
by our Relief Association, entirely destitute; and Of
he number in town who have lost both parents
we cannot now form an estimate large proportion of
our adult male population Cat least twelve hundred)
Yard as mechanic i4bo ers &c So long as they were
SO employed, their families enjoyed easy compe-
tence and whilst there but 70 wealthy men in
town, l think, in proportion to the population there
were perhaps as few paufers. The soicitade Of this
class OF men to continue work and support their fan
lies kept large number Of them in town In ALL about
fourteen hundred men were employed in the yard.
They continued to drop off, until not than 25
how many have sickered and died we cannot tell; but
we know that more than 1Ooof their families
supplied rom the relief store daily that at least $50
(mrsty from this class have been swept away. Now
that the terror, confusion continual employment and
may say sort Of reclessness with the subsistence OF
the fever has given place to serious repose and calm
siaeratonhe future presents aspect truly alarming
We know that the orphans the widowed and the aged
cared for and we are resolved to perform our
The ways and means but will succeed Our scattered
population will tturn 10 aid in these important
duties and We shall then be more hopeful.
BY census, taken about the 1t OF August, popu
lation old not exceed 1900 Of this number than
annals Of dsease-and yet co not think that the type
of The late epidemic Of any peculiar magnancy
tx eneed Visitation Of ihs "rss r
were unused to, and unmpressed it were, with the
yellow fever conagiop Cor whatever you may term it)
transported nom your healthfu city into the pes,eaia
atmosphere of Charleston New Orleans during the
prevalence OF yellow feyeral would sicken and probably
third die hope you will pardon this gloomy detail
| have only attempted to do that which your letter
ndicnted.
will close by reierating acknowledgment of our
gratitude for the mupirence bestowed upon afflicted
people. Very respectfully, GEO. W. PETE,
Corres'g Sec'ty, Portsmouth Relief Committee.
10 W. +. MIRIAM, Secretary. New York.
MAYORS OFFICE !
NORFOLK, oct. H. 1855.
Dear sir-T am in eceipt of your favor Of the 10TH
asking nfoi nation l. AS TO the number If orphans
bali oyhans in city, made by The late petience
among 2. As to the number Of cergymen and ply
clans who have fallen while in the discharge of their du
ties and how many of them have left families 10 needy
circumstances. 3. The names of the cergymen and
physicpns who have died of yellow fever. have sent
you two Nos OF the Argus which viii furnish you
aid, and shall Continue to forward subsequent Nos
Of the same Taper will also obtain from the Howard
Associat such information in regard t, the Orphans
can and forward the Mt the earliest day. Of the
families of the strange ply sicans that died among
furnish information OF tho number that died be-
longing TO city four have left families in INDECENT cir
cumstances OF The clergy that have died, have
lett INDECENT families it is believed The papers sent
tain the number and names Of the physicians that have
died am very respectfully, your friend and ob't servt
A. c. WiTTEaEAD, Actg Mayor.
I. MERRIAM ECO, Secy General Relief Conn., New York.