The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-24
THE DEATH OF
WASHINGTON.
Account Of II from the Diary of an
Old vrginian.
WAS A BRITISH ARMY SURGEON,
Won Washington's Friendship-A
Stern Arrangement Of the Doctors
Who Attended the General
During His Last Illness.

To the Editor OF the Herald:
A visitor to the battlefield OF Freder-
lcksburg, as he travels over Marye's
Heights. where twice ragged bloody con-
hict, cannot fail TO notice a family bury
ing ground not far from the National
cemetery. "stormed at with shot and
she'll" the marks are yet visible, one OF
the granite gateway posts being deeply
indented by a solid shot. This is the
burial place of an old and honorcd Viz
ginia family-the WcAiOrds.
The founder of this family was DR..
Robert Wexford who came 10 this
country al the OutbreaN of the revolu-
tionary war with LORD Howe. He was
"a graduate at E1inburg university
learned and skilful. and the youngest
surgeon in the British army.
When at White Plains, Washington
Informed Lord Howe that he would
like to take better care Of sick and
wounded British prisoners, but was UNI
able TO do so for the lack OF medical
assistance. and requested him 10
send "a surgeon to his headquarters. DIT
Wexford was detailed. His course after
ward plainly shows that he learned 20
admire Washington and TO respect Amer
lean character When Lord Howe left
New York and went 20 Philadelphia, Dr.
Wexford went with him. The cruelty OF
the British 20 our prisoners, so graph
ically described by Or. Mitchell I'm his
Century story. was so outrageous that
Washington in uumistakaOie language.
threatened retaliation whereupOn the IN
competent and brutal Tory surgeon was
removed and Or. Wexford appointed In
his place. By his skill his humanity and
asidious attention 70 duty. he soon
brought order out of chaos. II has been
my fortune TO read many letters from
American officers and soldiers thanking
him with grateful hearts for saving them
from A grave In the Potte7s field. HIS
success I'm restoring soldiers 10 the Amer
ican army alarmed and disguised those
hireling butchers. tho Hessian officers.
and they demanded his removal He was
removed. and Immediately resigned his
commission.
Dr. Wexford remained I'm Philadelphia
a number Of weeks as a private gentle
man. While walking. one day. about the
outskirts Of the city. he was taken pris-
oncr by some American scouts
While at Washington's headquarters.
Col. John Spotswood. Of Virginia, whom
he doctor had snatched from the very
laws of death. prevailed upon him 10 20
home with him 10 Virginia, and settle
there. He concluded 20 do so. II he had
any doubts 20 do so they were soon dis
PEELED by his meeting and marrying az
Fredericksburg q beautiful young wild
ow He took with him 10 Fredericksburg
the following letter of introduction from
General Washington:
Brunswick. y. J., July 6. ITS.
ns. NEa1fforI Of
the British army. leaves here for the
purpose Of settling in Virginia. In the
town Of FredercksDurg and will have
the pleasure of presenting this 20 YOU.
lie is a gentleman highly spoken OF I'm
his profession. and deserves every coun-
tenance and support from us, for his great
humanity. care and tenderness 20 the
sick and wounded Of our army in cap
tivity: hence 10 is / take the liberty OF
recommending him 10 your civilites. ]
am. with sincere regard and affection.
dear sir. y'r most obed't servt.
GO. WASHINGTON.
Mr. William Fitzhueh. Esqr.
When Washington prepared 10 take
command OF all our armies in case OF
with France during the administration of
John Adams. 10 was his purpose 10 make
DR. Wexford surgeon-general, as he ha0
served him I'm that capacity during the
"whiskey rebellion His diary Of that
campaign is Interesting reading. His
home was not far from NJ. Vernon. and
be kept up an intimacy with Washington
until the generals death. Du~ing his
entire life ne kept q full and complete
diary of his daily affairs. 10 has been my
good fortune TO read all that remained
from wars destruction. The record made
Of Washingtons last hours and death is
important and authentic
This is the record of Washington's last
illness and death as found in Dr. Well
ford's diary:
Gen. George Washington was born
Feb. %. 1872: died Dec. a. 1872 almost
CS years of age. on Friday. the 18th De
rode out 20 one OF his plantations. and
was wet with rain and slect. on return
ing he was taken with an affection or
his throat in the night. and unfortunate
ly declined TO send 10 Alexandria for his
friend and physician Dr. Craik, until
daylight on Saturday morning.
"Dr Craik did not arrive no Nj. Yer
non until II O'Clock on Saturday morning
and before his arrival the general from
his own suggestion. discovered the me-
cessity Of blood letting, and procured
either one OF his ovcrseers or a bleedcr
in the neighbOrhood 90 draw a moderate
portion of blood from his arm-about 10
ounces. After the arrival Of DR.. Chalk "a
copious beding was directed and ac-
com9lished.
DIR. Dick was sent for under the idea
that the generals disorder was Group.
I'm the treatment OF which diesase It was
said that Dr. Dick was popular from
his practice Of bleeding children until
they tainted. When Dr. Dick arrived 80
was settled down % his opinion and Or.
Craik's that the generals disorder was
AN infammatory affection Of the upper
part Of the windpipe called 'Cynache
trachealis.' or Group. There upon another
copious bleeding was prescribed and per-
formed Two moderate doses Of calOmel
were given. succeeded by repated doses Of
tartar emettc. amounting In all 10 five
or six grains.
''The powers OF life seemed now mani
testify Welding TO the force of the dis
order. Bnsters and catGplasms were APP
piled but at 1880 O'Clock on Saturday
night he expired without a struggle
such Is the substance of the report Of
Drs. Craik and Dick as IL appeared IN
all the newspapers Of the time
Following the above Dr. Wexford com |
ments in his diary as follows:
Respecting the circumstances OF tho |
death. of this great and good man. "A |
reference to the New York Daily Adj
,,,,,isar Of the Goth OF December 1-qq