The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-10-22

Archibald Forbes contributes to
Belgravia the curious story found be-
low. He says: Concerning the history
of the subjoined curious narrative, the
original manuscript of which, written
in now faded ink on the rough dingy
paper of sixty years ago, was placed in
my hands in the course of recent visit
to America, only a few words are
necessary. The narrative is addressed
to 'Mrs. Rodgers and sister," and ap-
pears to have been written at the
request of the former lady, after the
authors return from the sea ON the
termination of his service as surgeon of
the frigate President, the famous fight
ing cruiser of the American republic in
the war with England of 1924.
Commodore Rodgers, who commanded
the President during the war, and who
was the husband of the lady for whom
the account was written, gave to DR..
Turks narrative his Endorsement of
its perfect accuracy. OF the authen-
ticity of the document there can be no
possibility of doubt
, "Some time in the latter part of
December, 1918. man by the name of
William Kemble, aged twenty-three "a
seaman on board of the United States
frigate President, commanded by Com
modore John Rodgers, ON cruise. then
near the Western Islands), was brought
to me from one of the tops, in which he
was stationed, having burst q vessel in
his lungs, the blood gushing with great
violence from his mouth and nostrils.
With much difficulty I succeeded in
stopping the discharge, and he was put
upon remedies suited to his case. I
visited him often, and had the best of
opportunity of becoming acquainted
with his temper, habits and intellectual
'attainments and under all circum-
stances, during his illness, found his
language and behavior such as stamped
him the rough, profane and illiterate
sailor 1t is my belief, although / can
not positively assertit, that he 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, con-
stantly mixed with oaths and the lowest
vulgarity. Had he possessed talents or
learning, he must have BETRAYED it to
me during his long confinement.
In the early part of January, 1914,
avessel bore down upon us with every
appearance of an English frigate. Ali
hands were called to quarters, and after
short and animated address by the
Commodore to the crew, all prepared
to do their duty Before descended
to the cockpit. well knowing Kemble's
spirit and how anxious he would be to
partake of the glorious victory (defeat
never n entered our thoughts), | thought
IL best to visit him. After stating to
MN the peculiar situation he was in,
and the great danger he would be ex-
posed to by the least emotion, en-
treated and ordered him not to stir DUR
ing 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 regard
isss OF my admonitions and of his own
uanger, he rushed upon deck and flew
70 MS gun, laying hold to help run her
out. A fresh and tremendous discharge
nom bis lungs was the consequence,
J: aha ne was brought down to me again
Z most deplorable state. | appre.
nended immediate death, but by
sae application of the proper reme-
,es succeeded once more
= stopping the hemorrhage, by
winch ne was reduced to state of the
a nost extreme debility. Being near the
es9uator and suffering much from heat,
d,s aa., hammock was slung on the gun
S Seck between the ports, afording the
- sess circulation of air. He continued
~ some time free from hemorrhage.
~ oal was under the constant use of med
S;a. r'ae' ana was confined to a particular
aee S This made him fretful, and he
s.a. soalu frequently charge my mates with
ssaIsing him, at the same time damn
them in the true sailor fashion.
anaa .es some time. being again called to
se aaalters at night, he was necessarily
ssnioVed below to the sick berth 1com-
monls ~ called bay.) This was followed
~ another discharge of blood from b;s
nnts;I ss, y Wnlch was renewed at intervals
m NJ January II, in the afternoon.
me- nlkenmore. my first mate, came tn
5a.S Sn oeck, and reported Kemble IN he
n,as. ~ ! directed him to see that his
essmates aoasu! did what was usual on s,,cb
his hiassons sa preparatory to committing
boarae semalns to the deep. About two |
cslIaS ss after this DR.. Birchmore again |
a'eu on me. He said that Kembla & |