The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-31

The Last HSuxo - 10ns 0u0noEs
from the Syracuse Josrnai. sis..I
The particulars ii Gen. sonnsr's lsss
illness, and death ars brie6y . follovs
He reschcd his home in this city, from
Washingtou, on Friday the 18th inst, q
week ago yesterday, having just received
from the President an appointment to the
Department of the West, and intended
early this week 10 take his departure for
his headquarters at 81. Louis. On Sun
day last he attended church. and appeared
to be in his usual good health. The next
morning, about two O'clock. he was taken
with high fever, which appeared to be
the result Of cold. A physician Dr.
Trowbridge) was called, and at the pa
TENTS request, mild remedies were admin
istered to him, so that he might not be
prevented from making his intended
journey. The next day TUESDAY his
condition was such thst his physician put
him under vigorous medical treatment.
On that day. the succeeding day, (Wednes-
day and even as late as Thursday, Gen.
Sumner daily expressed his determination
to proceed to St. Louis, aud but for the
absolute refusal of bis physician to per-
NIT it, be would have undertaken the
journey.
On Thursday noon, he directed that
special car be procured for him and the
members Of his staff, and that rooms BE-
ordered by telegraph for him that night
at Buffalo. 1t was while endeav oring to
convince his family that he had strength
to stand the ride by railroad 70 Buffalo,
by walking several times across the hall
adjacent to his room. that he took the
additional cold which developed his dis
ease into severe attack Of congestion Of
the lungs, which terminated fatally in
thirty-six hours afterwards. He felt
that it Was imperatively necessary that
he should be in st. Lonis at once. and in
his endeavor to discharge what he con-
adhered high duty to his country, he
sacrificed his life. Tie responsibility
which he attached to his enterisR upon
his new command immediately, grew out
Of the peculiar circumstances under which
it was conferred upon him. The appoint
ment Of the Department of the West was
asked Of the President BY Attorney Gener-
81 Bates, the Senators and Representatives
in Congress from Missouri, and the civil
authorities Of that State, In the belief
that his presence in command there would
restore confidence among the entire peo-
pie of rhs STATE, that the farmers would
this spring resume their usual avocations,
and that the blessings Of peace and pros
perity would b again reinstated.
When General Summers disease assum-
ed the form of congestion Of the lungs,
his physicians Drs. Trowbridgc snd Ship
mani pronounced his condition critical,
bat they did not despair of his restoration
to health until Friday afternoon. abodl
two clock, when 4 great change took
place-his fever left him, and he suffered
intense physical agony, accompanied BY
profuse perspiratioa: aud soon he sank
into a lethargic state from which he did
not rally. Towards evening Of Friday,
the dying soldier attempted vainly to
speak intelligibly to those abou. him.
At LIST. when glass OF wine was handed
| him, he took it in his hand, and, with n
great effort, waved it above his head, and
spoke in voice N clear and distinct o.
ever-"God save my.country, the United
States of America These were the
last words Of the patriot hero. He sank
rapidly until quarter past one o'clock,
and died peacefully.
General Sumner was . native Of Bos-
ton Mass, and was in lis sixty-seventh
year. He spent his entire active life in
the service of his country. His family
consisted Of bis wife, who survives him,
four daughters--M Mrs. jenkins, Mrs. Col
Teall, Mrs. Col. Long, and Mrs. Col.
Mclean. and two sons, Z. v. Sumner,
jr., Major on General Stoneman's staff,
and Samuel Sumner, Captain on his f.
theirs staff, both of whom are In the reg
ular army.