Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-08-16
AT THE DEATHBED.
Review of the General Illness and the
Events of the Last Hours.

Review of the General = Illness and the
Events of the Last Hours.
General Sheridan was tiken i'll on Monday,
May 81, being attacked by what is known as
yalvular trouble of the hear. He came near
diving IL ~ dny but rallied ut night He suffered
a second sinking sreli on Tuesday, but recovered
when evening came. The following Saturday
his deeth was momentarily expected. Five
army surgeons watched by his bedside night
and day. He received the last sacrament OF Tho
church from his pastor, who also remained with
him throughout these trying moments. He was
Ier.ec;ly conscious and devoid of all fear and
excitement. He made his will. and with tho
utmost coo'ness, completed all arrangements to
y ovide for the worst
The subsequent DAYS were filled with care and
anxiety for tho faithful wife and the doctors,
who clung to thsi posts Mt the dying General 3
side. 1hoy watched every symptom and became
alarmed Mt the slightest sign of anything un-
favorable. For days they continued thor vigil,
battling bravely with the angel dea h, which
seemed determined TO grasp the old hero
rom their loving arms. IL was such
"A tight ns n sturdy constitution and
science can make when put TO such a
fearful strain and test He bore his illness and
suffering with great heroisn and made n gallant
iiGht az anst death. Often lac was thought to be
dying and on y his courage and determination
preserved and prolonged his life. Gen. sheridan
was on his doathbed when Congress- Juno l.
passed the bill 10 give him four stars as Gener-
nl He took the oath OF Office that day and also
sgnod his name TO a letter OF thanks TO tie Pres
iient.
residence in Washington in a Red Cross ambu-
lance 10 the United States Steamship Swntara
which set sail tho same day, and proceeded by
slow and easy voyages for Nonquitt, Mass, ON
the shores of Buzzards Bay. The vessel arrived
I'm New York harbor the evening Of July g. II
proc edcd to New London AMI dropped anchor
off NOnquitt tho afternoon Of JulyS. The Cen
crnl was aS compnnied by his wife and four small
chidren-three girls and a boy.
The stricken soldier and his family occupied
n new ard pleasant cottage near the shore of
the sea, under the grateful air Of which be
seemed to rally. When the General left Wash
ington he considered by the army phyaf-
clans who were In attendance aud the local doc
tors no Ind occasionally baon He'd into con-
sultation as in precarious condition, and the
voyage TO Nonquitt was undertaken only as =
last Lope.
For the first eighteen days after his arrival the
chance OF climate vnd surroundings worked a
fictitious improvement WIFI n the physicians
eager Y proceeded to bulletin 20 the world as the
normal end healthy stlges Of progress i'm his
case which would lead to ultimate recovery. DIR.
Robert q Reilly who had been in charge Of the
case since the first attack, accompanied him to
that place, hut no remained only n few days. He
returned 70 Washington, leaving only Drs. Mat
thows and Yasrow In charge.
A few days ago IL became evident that the
General was really rotrograding instead OF pro-
crossing. The reaction which had been occa-
stoned by the change Of climate had been OK
hnusted, and symptC ms Of rapid decline were
roticed. DIR O'Reilly was hastily summoned.
ami on his arrival acknowledged that tho Gaze
vat hopeless. He at once sent word 10 DIR. Pop
per, Of the University OF Pcnnsylvania the epe-
ciallst who had bf en- called into tho case when
tho General was at Washington and dissolution
seemed imminent. IL wee. however, given out 10