Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-16
THE RETURNING DEAD.
A Yarn of the ssPresident,, Frirate.
Archibald For. es in Belgravia.

Archibald For, es in Belgravia
Concerning the history OF the subjoined curl
Gus narrative, the original manuscript of which,
written in now faded ink on the rough dngy
paper of sixty years ago. was placed in my
hands in the course of a recent visit to America
onlya few words are necessary. The narrative
is addressed to ''Mrs. Rodgers and sister," and
bears to have been written at the request OF the
former lady. after its authors return from sea
on the termination of his service as surgeon of
the PRESIDENT frigate, the famous fighting
cruiser of the American Republic in the war
with England Of 1Sl2-14. Commodore Rod
gers, who commanded the president" during
the war and who was the husband OF the lady for
whom the account was written, gave to Dr.
TURK s narrative his Endorsement Ofits perfect
accuracy. or the authenticity of the document
there can be no possibility of doubt.
some time In the latter part of December,
1913 man by the name of William kemble
aged about twenty-three "a seaman on board of
the U. 5. frigate President commanded by
Commodore John Rodgers. ona cruise then near
thew Western lsiands), was brought to me from one
of the tops. in which he was stationed, having
burst vessel In his lungs being at that time
in great danger Of instant death. the blood gush-
ing with great violence from his mouth and
nostriis. With much difficulty succeeded in
stopping the discharge. and he was put upon
L
him often, and had the best of opportunity of
becoming acquainted with his temper habits
ana intellectual attainments; and under all cir
cuInstances. during his Illness found his lam
guage and behavior such as stamped him the
rough. profane, and lliterate sailor II is nv
belief although cannot positively assertit. that
ne could not either read or write. 1t is certain
that his conversation never differed in the least
from that of the most ignorant and abandoned
OF his associates, constantly mixed with oatns
and the lowest vulgarity. Had he possessed
talents, or learning. he must have betrayed it to
me during his long confinement.
I'm the early part of January 1Sl41 a vessel
bore down upon us, with every appearance of
being an English frigate. All hands were called
to quarters, and after short and animated
address by the Commodore to the crew. all pre-
pared to do their duty. Before descended to
the cockpit, well knowing Kemble's spirit and
how anxious he would be to partake in the
glory of the victory (defeat never entered our
thoughts). | thought it best to visit him.
Alter stating to him the peculiar situation
he was in. and the great danger lie would be
exposed TO by the least emotion, / entreated
him and ordered him not to stir during the
action. which he promised to observe We
were soon obliged to fire. At the sound of
the first gun he could restrain himself no
longer. but regardless Of my admonitions and of
his own danger he rushed upon deck and flew
to his gun laying hold to help run herout. fresh
and tremuOus discharge from his lungs was the
consequence. and he was brought down to me
again in most depl0rahle state apprehended
immediate death. but by the application of the
proper remedies. succeeded once more in stop
ping the henOrrhage. by which lie was reduced
TO Estate of the most extreme debility. Being
near the equator and suffering much from heat
his hammock was slung on the gun-deck be-
tween the ports affOrdng the best circulation of
air. He continued for some time free from
hemorrhage. but was under the constant use of
medicine. and was confined to particular diet.
This made him fretfu and he would fire. quenty
charge my mates with starving him. and at the
same time da,nning them in the true sailor
fashion. After some time. being again called TO
quarters at night he was necessarily removed
below to the sick berth Commonly called bay)
This was followed by another discharge of blood
from his lungs which was renewed at intervals
until his death.
ION January II. in the afternoon Dr. Birch
more my first Tate. came to me on deck and
reported kcmble to be dead. ! directed him to
see that his messmates did what was usual on
such occasions preparatory to committing his
remains to the deep About two hours after
this Dr. BirchHGrc again called on me. He said
that kenble had come TO lie and was holding
forth to the sailors in Il strange way. directly
went down, where witnessed one of the most
remarkable and unaCcOuntaLle transactions that
perhaps had ever fallen T. the lot OF man to be-
hold. ken!b!c had awakened as it were, from
sleep. raised himself up. and called for
his lnessmates in particular. and those
men who were not on duty, TO attend
to his words He told them he had ex-
perienced death. but was allowed short space
Of time to return and give them as well
as the officers, some direction for their future
conduct in life In this situation found him,
surrounded by the crew all mute with astonish-
ment, and paying the most serious attention to
every word that escaped from his lips The
oicest men were in tears, not a dry eye was to
be seen. or a whisper heard; all was az solemn
as the grave. His whole body was as cold as
death could make 1t. There was no pulsation
in the wrists. the temples, the chest percepti-
bic. His voice was clear and powerful, his eyes
uncOmmoniy brilliant and animated. After
short and pertinent address to the medica, gen.
ttemen. he told me. in peremptory
manner. to bring Commodore Rodgers
to him, as he had something to
say to him before he finally left The COM
was presented, truly novel and indescribable.
and calculated to I'LL with awe the stoutest
heart. The sick bay or (berth) in which he Law
Is entirely set apart to the use of those who are
confined to their beds by illness. Supported by
the surgeons, surrounded by his weeping and
astonished comrades. a crowd of spectators
looking through the lattice-wOrk which inclosed
the room. common japanned lamp throwing
cut a sckly light, and a candle held opposite
MS face by an attendant, was the situation of
things when our worthy commander made his
appearance. and well does he remember the
effect produced by so uncommon a spectacle.
especially when followed by the utterance of
these words from the mouth of one long
supposed to have been dead: Commodore
Rodgers. | have sent for you, sir; being COM
missiohed by higher power to address YOU for
Il Short time, and to deliver the message i'll
trusted TO me when was permitted to revisit
the earth. Once ] trembled in your presence.
and was eager to obey your commands; but
now am your superior, being no longer an in
habitant OF the earth. | have seen the glories
OF the world of spirits am not permitted to
make known what have behelli; indeed, were
l not forbidden. language would be Inadequate
TO the task; It's enough for you and the crew to
know that have been sent back to the earth to
reanimate for q few hours my lifeless BODY.
commissioned 10y God to perform the work /
am now engaged in He then in language SO
chaste and appropriate as would not have dis
graced the lips or the pen OF a divine took
hasty view of the moral and religious duties
incumbent on the commander Of ship of war
lie reviewed the vices prevalent on ship-board.
pointed out the relative duties of officers and
men. and concluded by urging the necessity of
reformation and repentance. He did not as
was feared by our brave commander attempt
to prove the sinfulness of fighting and wars:
but, on the contrary, warmly recommended to
the men the performance of their duty to their
country with courage aud fidety. Hisspeeches
occupied about three quarters of an hour. and
il the whole could have been taken down at the
time, they would have made a considerable
pamphlet which would. no doubt, have been in
great demand. DR.. BirchmOre now at Boston.
heard all the addresses, only the last.
when lie finished with the Commodore his
head dropped upon his breast his eyes closed.
SnH