The weekly Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 1882-188?, 1884-03-13
A NAVAL HERO.
DIR. Amber, the surgeon 81 the Jes'nne.te-
Brave Omcer who Did His Whole Duty.

Among the dead OF the Jeanette,
brought home TO find resting place,
| was DIR. James NJ. Amber. Melville,
when asked by the court whom OF the
expedition he would specially commend
| for his behavior, promptly re Piied: "Dr
Amber" and he was unsunted In his
praise of him. During the famous re-
| treat over the ice Amber was one OF the
leading spirits. He harnessed two half.
starved Esquimaux dogs to sled OF his
own contriving, ON which were Dashed the
suynical instruments. medical stores and
scientific records; and lsavlng them to
follow in the rear with the sick, the 49,
tor took his place in advance day after
day, as chief OF the roadmakers. He
welded heavy sledge hammer like
Hercules, breaking down ice hummocks
to level road for the boats. 1t was re-
lated of him that he invariably, when the
days work began, too1D.f the heaviest
of the sledges, thus setting an encour-
aging example to the men. We see him
laying this down for a moment to per-
form an iridectomy, one of the most
delicate operations in eve surgery After
De Longs boats had reached the Lena
Delta, and failing to find succor for three
weeks or longer, the commander decided
to send two of the strongest of his party
in advance to seek aid. The main body
travelled very slowly, most of them being
scarcely able to walk at all, and having
to transport the sick. De Long was able
to walk only for five msinntes at time.
Amber was the strol- st of the party,
and the commanding officer selected him
| and Nindeman to go on ahead for succor
and to save their own lives, II possible,
| both Of them being able for long march.
| When this was communicated to the
doctor he told his commander that he
thought he ought not to leave his sick,
as he preferred to share their fortunes to
the end, and his going away would look
| like abandoning them. This doubtless
touched the gallant De Long, whose
| first thought seems ever to have been his
high duty to those under his command.
Noros was then sent in Ambler's stead
and his life was saved. Amber remained
with his sick comrades to the last and
died with them. 1t is doubtful If the
medical profession affords anywhere a
finer example of heroism than this. I'M
prisoned on board an ice bound ship for
twenty-five months, a painful retreat
over weary miles of rough ice, with half
frozen hands and feet, then wandering
about on unknown shore for three weeks,
reduced to a mere struggle for existence,
yet not for a moment was blunted his
keen sense of professional duty. Mel
vile, who found the bodies, Is of the
opinion that Amber was the last one to
die. His frozen body was found in a
sitting attitude, clothed in many suits of
extra clothing, seizing in his right hand
De Longs pistol, taken from his dead
commanders pocket; in solemn and
faithful guard over his dead comrades.
None will ever know the dreadful extent
of his sutferings during those last hours,
or possibly days, of his life, alone with
his dead, starving, exhausted and hope.
less. Faithful messengers sent by his
grateful country have brought home the
mortal remains of this noble son to al
aged mother, to lie at-rest in his own vii
lage churchyard in FauE per county, Va
Peace to him and her, ND honor to the
memory of this noble surgeon whose life
was given to his country and his duty