The record-union., 1891-02-13
He Bravely Struggles Against the
Hand of Death.
SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT DURING THE
AFTERNOON.
a Change for the Worse Takes Place
in the Evening-Erysipela Leaves
the Patient, but His Lungs Seem
Filled With Mucous Latest Bull
letins Report No Change.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

New YORK, Feb. u The fitting lights
and shadows in the death chamber
Of General William Tecumseh Sher-
man were eagerly watched during
the entire night by a score OF newspaper
men. The great General was, for the
first time in his eventful life, on tie re-
5reat. His last march had begun. The
gallant old soldier was heroically battling
with the grim warrior who knows not
defeat, and at times retreating, then
advancing with the sublime courage of n
leader wont TO conquer, but gradually
and inevitably yielding to his enemy's
superior prowcss. The coign of vantage
was never regained. Slowly. but surely,
the victor of many a well-fought field
was being driven back to his last trench.
dis base Of supply-his strength and vi
tality-Were cut off, and annihilatiOn was
deferred but for little while
During the night Rev. Father Taylor Of
the Church OF the Blessed Sacrament was
called TO the bedside, and remained until
: O'CLOCK. At 1:30 a messenger rushed to
the telegraph Office with Il message to
senator sherman. He arrived in a car
rage at 2:30, and considerable movement
was then noticed in the Generals bed
room. After short while, however, the
light was turned down and the announce
ment made that he was still sinking.
Two policemen on duty outside kept
everything as quiet as possible in the
nelghborhood. instructions were given
not to admit any one except the relatives
and personal friends.
The next bulletin was given out at 4:45.
1t said that death was only a question of
few hours. With this came dispatch
from z. Tecumseh Sherman, the Gen
erals son, to President Harrison, inform
ing him that death was momentarily ex-
pected. From then on the house
remained in comparative darkness.
During the night messages of sympathy
We're received from the President and
mem bers OF the Cabinet and many of the
Generals old friends in the army.
Att O'Clock z. Il. Sherman said that
his fathers condition was not materially
changed since $40 O'Clock.
AT 10:l5 P. VI. the General was much
worse, and the family were all summoned
to the bedside.
AT 2 o'clock this afternoon General
Horatio c. King left General Shernan's
house. he said that a few minutes be-
fore he left the sick chamber, General
sherman showed signs of Improvement
The patient, he said, had arisen from his
bed, and, walking across the floor. sat
down in a chair. The physicians regard
this as very hopeful indication. They
do do not now fear erysiipelas so much.
Their chief fears were OF pneumonia, be-
cause of the accumulation of mucous in
the Generals lungs.
During the latter part Of the afternoon
his condition was encouraging up to as
late as O'Clock. AT that hour, a change
for the worse took place. The General
lay IN a comatose state, and it was ex-
ceedingly difficult to rouse him. He
could open but one eye, and appeared to
be suffering greatly, but the doctors
thought he was not troubled with pain
The patient continued in this condition
during the early part of the evening.
During the evening great number of
persons called to ascertain the dying
Generals condition. A great many tele-
grams were sent away this evening.
What the nature of them was could not
be learned.
On the sidewalk, opposite the house,
quite crowd of people stood watching
the windows of the chamber where the
sick man lay fighting the battle for life.
At $3.50 tonight this bulletin was is
sued:
The physicians in consultation say there is
no change. If General sherman maintains
his present status for twenty-four hours the
situation Will be hopeful.
JOHN SHERMAN.
Lieutenant Fitch said at IL o'clock Gem
eral Sherman got out of bed and walked
half across the room without assistance
He could not speak, but appeared to rec
ognize those in the room. The General
had to be helped back to bed. He was
very much exhausted.
At 1l:25 P. NJ, Thackeray, General
Sherman's son-in-law, left the house.
He said the General was in semi-con.
scious state.
Feb. l3.-At II A. NJ. it is stated that
General Sherman appeared to be asleep.
His breathing indicated that his lungs are
filled with mucus. DIR. Alexander thought
erysipelas was leaving the patient, but
the General had not improved.
At 1886 this morning Mr.. Barrett came
to the door of the Sherman residence and
said the General was sleeping quietly.
No nourishment had been given him for
several hours, but he did not seem any
worse.