The record-union., 1897-12-07
~

The following very quaint account of
the terrible suferings of the American
continent is from the journal of the
Rev. John Graham Of Connecticut, a
part Of which has recently been pub
lished by the American Society Of Col
onial Wars:
Tuesday, Sept 2S, 1762-But turn
my thots, and who are these-behold
Number, Struggling along the road
awful, how they look? What appear
ance to they make? not unlike walk
ing ghost, Just come from the Shades
but viewing more narrowly find them
to be men. Crawled out of their Tent,
wasted with Sickness; their flesh all
consumed their bones looking thro the
Skin. Mangie and pale Countenance,
Eyes almost sunk into there heads,
with a dead and downcast look-hands
weak, knees feeble, Joints Trembling
leaning upon Slaves like men bowed
and over loaded with old age. and as
they Slowly move along Stagger and
Reel, like drunken men-pityfull OBJ
jects.
Passing by these, there lye one fallen
down thro weakness by the wayside,
there another. and another, yea Sun
dry more, in the Same Condition, un-
able to help themselves-there two or
three tainted away-others crawling.
according to their strength. not unlike
the Snail in motion, with a little water
to revive them, as the best Cordial
that can be produced. There sets q
Number that walked a few rods and
there strength is exhausted. and are
seated on the ground to recruit that
they may return to there Tents. Youn-
der goes four of the stouter Sort lug
ging their Capt that slept little from
his tent, tainted away Back to his
Tent again. There goes one. Supported
by one under each Arm-goes did T
say? rather he is in this manner Car
ried, for scarce has he the power to Set
one foot before the other, nor can his
feeble trembling knees one half sup
port his frame, tho but a shadow.
There another and another in like
manner convey along from one tent to
another
Just behind is brot another in his
Blanket strung upon two poles-Cau7ied
by four. Just by, Six Soldiers take
up there Captain upon their Shoulders
as he lies pale and helpless IN his bed,
his bedstead serves as a Byer, and his
Curtains waving in the wind as a pawl
in this manner conveyed from his Tent
in Camp to a Neighboring Room. if
possible to prevent the extinction of the
remaining Sparks of Life. There is
one, two, three Graves opend, here they
come with as many Corps, there blan-
kets both winding sheet and Coffins;
scarce have they finished the inter
ment of these but a messenger comes
in haste to tell them, they must open
grave or two more, for Such a one
is dead, and another is dying.
Some there rage and fury seems to be
turn'd against God himself-and will
gnaw their tongues for anguish and
pain. and blaspheme the God of heaven.
because of their pain and distress. and
repent not of their deeds-yea curse
the King and God looking backward
at a little distance another lies. not a
murmur heard from his mouth. but
seems to be thankful for everything he
Receives. and thinks every favor to be
more than he deserves; another a little
revived feels some appitite for food,
and he complains he shall be Starved
to Death-another without Compli-
ment lays hold of anything that comes
in his way and with his Teeth soon
puts a period to life. another grpans
under a load of Sickness, and is ready
to Curse the day that he engaged In the
Service, Calling himself fool. madman,