Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-13

A writer in the Argus gives truly mean-
chapter on deaths dongs" at the Cos
port Navy Yard, during the iron reign of the
pestilence We subjoin few extracts.
~ speak Of Commodore J. McKeever. Could
you have seen him, when, day after day, the
death Of one civil officer after another was re-
ported to him-men quitting their posts-his
own clerks falling around him--amid appeals
from those less considerate than himself, to
close the yard-you would have seen not only
the man who has borne aloft in triumph the
flag of his country, but one willing to sacrifice
health, and even life for the cause Of suffering
humanity rather than contribute by any act of
J his to the alarming calamity around him; for
he well knew that to close the yard was but to
deepen the gloom and aggravate the suffering
of those who could not leave. am satisfied
that there has never been Commandant on
this station, more universally respected as an
officer, or beloved as man than Commodore
McKeever.
Captain Barron, our then Executive officer
who had recently returned from Washington,
was in the early stage of the epidemic forced
from the bed side of his dying companion, and
hurried to the hospital with the fever upon him.
What touching scene was this! To be torn
from the fond, though deadly embrace of an
AUecllOndLe WIG Will the cApcCtdllOH OI soon
meeting her in the spirit land We may
imagine his feelings, but no pen can j am sure,
adequately describe them. Captain B. is SO
universally appreciated in our communities,
and by the employees of this yard, rs kind
hearted gentleman and high minded officer,
that need not say one word in his praise.
"Of the eleven officers who remained stead
tasty to their duty, seven have fallen-N. N.
Tatem, Timber Inspector, recently appointed;
Patrick Williams, master house joiner, John
Vermilon, master boat builder; John B.
Davis, master spar maker, Richard Williams,
master mason, Charles Myers, master plumber,
Chas. Cassels, sail maker. The families Of
some of these gentlemen are almost broken up,
only the son Of Mr.. p. Williams family is left
Four grown and interesting daughters soon
followed their father.
"All the departments in the yard suffered
severely. The spar makers lost seven out of
twelve whoremained. The smithery out of some
thirty-four who remained, lost nineteen. do
not know how to account for this great mortality
among this class of mechanics, who have gene
rally been considered less liable to infectious
diseases than others, but it is evident that
Yellow Jack has had regard for neither age
sex, class, or color.
"When Mr.. Allen the head Of the department
was taken sick, Mr. Green was acting foreman.
And he, too, the next day, was stricken down.
Then Mr. Totterdill, Mr. Balletine, and Mr.
Snead, and each in rapid succession fell at his
post; and all, except Mr. A. and Mr.. Snead
quickly followed one another to the gravel
Fearful, indeed, were the inroads of this fatal
malady, and long will the memory Of these
men be cherished by their shop matesl They
were all men Of generous impulses and unsullied
character.
death did its work ehectualy, too in the
families Of some Of these men. As many as
nine died in Mr.. Totterdl's family leaving
only three helpless orphans"