The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-07-29


ceded with some caution that the patient
might survive until July %. His meaning
was that the sick man might yet be living
when midnight should mark the new day.
The physicians indication-it was not a
PrOgnostication-was borne out, Ind more.
The General passed into the first hour of
the day, he saw its light at sunrise, and
through the early morning hours he sur
viyed The advent of July 23, however,
marked a change in General Grants condi-
ton which was significant. The chill at the
extremities was increasing, and the use of
hot applications to keep warmth in the ex-
tremities and vital parts was resOrted to.
They were of some avail, but artificial
warmth was without power to reach the
cause or stay the results of dissolution, which
began Tuesday evening, and had been pro-
crossing steadily though gradually. Hypo-
tlermic injections of brandy were frequently
given to stimulate the tagging physical
. powers, but these failed TO affect the patient,
whose vitality and physical forces were so
far spent as TO furnish no footing for re-
bound indeed, the efforts of the medical
men were being made because none could
stand by inactive without the trial of ex
pedient that might prOlOng life an hour or
minute. The physicians believed that the
patient might reach the ebb of his strength
at / o'clock a. m. and the approach of that
hour was anticipated with intense anxiety at
the cottage. 1t passed, however, and the
General lay upon his back, and propped
up by two pillows, placed upon
the cot-bed in the parlor was yet living but
growing weaker. The inevitable close of the
Generals long sickness seemed more and
more imminent. The feeble pulse-beats had
worn themselves by their rapidity TO a fut-
tering throb that could not be gauged be-
meath the finger of the physician. The body
was being worn out by its own life currents
50 rapid was the cOursing through the veins.
Repeatedly the brandy was injected beneath
the skin of the General. but despite its warm
ing influence, the respiratiOns had quickened
from tOrty-fOur to the minute during the
evening 10 point of labored breathing that
was painful TO friends who grouped and
bent near the sick man.
Two o'clock had been passed, and the evil
dences OF nearing death were multiplying.
The increasing respiratiOns were not done
more rapid, but more shallow. The Lungs
and the heart were giving away.
so weak had General Grant grown at
O'Clock that, though he frequently attempted
10 do 50, he was unable any longer to clear
the gathering mucus from his throat. 1t
accumulated and remained, and as 4 o'clock
drew on, and the daylight came, point had
been reached when expectOration was i'm
possible. There was not left enough
strength, and from o'clock on there was in
the throat the significant rattle of the mucus
that was filling the lungs and clogging the
throat.
At 3 O'Clock the General asked for water
and after that ii is not remembered that he
uttered any word. AT o'clock the breath
ing was quickened, and reached fifty to the
minute.
An hour later the respiration had reached
sixty, and between 5-and 8 o'clock the finger
nails had become blue, and the hands further
evidenced the progress of numbness at the
extremities. and at every breath the mucus
clOgging in the throat was growing more
noticeable.
a few minutes before O'Clock Drs Doug
las, Shrady and Sands stood on the cottage
veranda cOnversing about the condition of
General Grant and discussing the prObabili-
ties Of his death, and the limit of life left the
sick man. Mrs. SartOris and StenOgrapher
Dawson were conversing a little distance
away, when Henry, the nurse, stepped
hastily upon the piazza and spoke quietly to
the physicians. He told them he thought
the General was very near to death. The
medical men hastily entered the room,
wbese the sick man was lying, and ap-
preached his side Instantly upon scanning
the patients face, Dr. Douglas ordered the
family TO be summoned to the bedside
Haste was made. and Mrs. Grant, Jesse
Grant and wife, u. s. Grant, Jr., and wife,
and Mrs. Colonel Grant were quickly beside
the doctors at the sick mans cot. Mrs. Sar-
toris and Mr- Dawson had followed the doc
tors in from the piazza and the entire fam
lily was present except Colonel Fred Grant.
Hasty summons were sent for him, but he
entered the sick room while tine messenger
was searching for him. The Colonel seated
himself at the head Of the bed, with his left
arm resting upon the pillow above the head
of the General, who was breathing rap
idly and with slightly gasping Tespira-
fiOns. Mrs. Grant, calm, but with internal
agitation bravely suppressed, took a seat
close by the bedside. She leaned slightly
upon the cot. resting upon her right elbow
and gazed with tear-blind eyes into the Gen.
erals face. She found there, however, no
token Of recognition, for the sick man was
peacefully and painlessly passing into an
other life Mrs. SartOris came behind her
mother, and, leaning over her shoulder, 30
witnessed the last close of life in which she
had constituted strong element Of pride.