The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-18

closure was visited by yellow fever. 1t made
fearful ravages among the limited number
stationed there, sweeping nearly every Off
Ger at the post away. 1t struck from earth
our best officers and permitted the heartless
ones to recover, to repeat again. suppose.
more OF their cruelties upon humanity
under their command. The ways OF provi-
dence are mysterious. and no doubt Ii was
done for some good and wise purpose.
Among the first to succumb to the dread
disease was Brev.-Maj. j. Sin Smith, sur
geon in charge. DR.. Smith, on his arrival
at the post, which was but few months
before, corrected in various instances the
abuse and reigning terrors which abounded
there. He was indeed, a man of humanity
and kindness, a gentleman by birth and
cuture-the soldiers and prisoners friend
and protector, and his memory lives In
the mind and heart of all by whom he was
then surrounded as all that was good, pure,
upright and noble. He worked with untir-
ing zeal whilst the fever ragged until the
fatal malady struck him down upon the bed
of sickness, where he fingered but three
days and died He received every atten-
ton from DR.. Mudd, who. at that period,
had charge.
Mrs. Smith was lying in an adjacent
room. sick with the fever. DR.. Mudd paid
her every attention and worked unfalter-
ingly TO save her life. His efforts were
crowned with success and she recovered
from the disease. During the period of the
sickness of DIR. Smith and family there was
neither an officer nor an officers wife that
came near them to administer to their
wants, their cases devolving upon the care
of DR.. Mudd and faithfully did he perform
all that lay within his power.
In a short time the fever proved cpl
demic, and men could be seen falling down
in every section of the fort, as the dread
malady seized them. When in former times
officers were parading about 6evisng plans
wherewith to torture the soldiers and
prisoners nothing was seen or heard of
them, they keeping themselves closely
cioseted, pail like unto death seemingly
hanging over the officers quarters. Fear
was depicted upon the countenances of
everyone on the island, each looking for
his turn next.
Two of the companies were removed to
the adjacent islands. thereby being saved
from the fever's fearful ravages. Two COM
panies were retained to guard the fort and
prisoners Prisoners had to stand the
in an everything providence. Out of the
fifty-two prisoners confined there but two
| died, whereas the garrison lost in officers
and men thirty-seven.
HAD COFFINS READY.
Men at first, when taken sick, were car
| ried to the small key termed Sand key.
upon which a small temporary shed had
been erected a hospital, the commanding
| officer thinking thereby to prevent the gar
rison from being infected. Sick patients,
seated in a small boat were conveyed over,
confronted by collins which were piled up
| in the bow of the boat This of itself was
sufficient to cause alarm, and even to kill
the faint-hearted, Of whom there were quite
number collected on that small area of
seven and half acres.
With but few exceptions those who were
conveyed to the key in the small boat fell
victims to the disease, and are buried be-
meath the sandy SOIL When DR.. Mudd was
given charge he stated to the commanding
officer that it would be advisable to discon-
tinue this practice; that the fever was in
our midst, and that it could not be dis
lodged until the poison had expended ITSELF
advising that all cases be brought to and
treated at the hospital. This was acceded
| to, and from his manner of treatment in
the disease, a great change was soon to be
noted.
From this period until the arrival from
Key West of DR.. Whitehurst everything
was progressing favorably, no death oc-
curing. DIR. Whitehurst perfectly con-
versant with the mode of treatment, he
having had immense practice in the dis
ease, approved DR.. Mudd's manner of treat
ment. and 1t was continued throughout the
period the fevor ragged in our midst The
fever began to assume more virulent
type, and in spite of the untiring exertion
of both began to make sad inroads into our
numbers
Every one now thought of self alone
There was respect shown by the at
tendants. they being soldiers taken from
different companies, to either the dead or
the dying. No sooner had the breath left
the body than it was coffined and hurried
over to its last resting place, there being
boat, with crew, detailed as the bury
ing party. always awaiting. In many in
stances collins were brought into the hos
pital and placed alongside of the bed to
receive the body of some one expected to
die, and had to be removed again, the pa
tient still tenaciously clinging TO life
FEAR REIGNED SUPREME.
Men less sick were startled viewing these
proceedings. it having a tendency to cause
their own condition to become worse. Dur
| ing the terrible ordeal of the fever the gar
rison kept itself. duties being neglected by
both officers and soldiers. During its prog
ress the island assumed different aspect
| The island. which before was more like
place peopled by fiends than anything else
it could be compared with, suddenly became
calm, quiet and peaceful. Fear stood out
upon the face Of every human being
Some attempted to assume the tone of
gayety and indifference. but upon their
| faces could be read traces Of other feelings
For two months the fever ragged in our
| midst, creating havoc among those dwelling
| there. During this time Dr. Mudd was
never idle. He worked both day and night
and was always at post. faithful to his call
| ing, relieving the sufferings of humanity as
| far as lay within his power The fever
| having abated through the want of more
| subjects. a contract physician from New
| York arrived at the post and relieved DR.
| Whitehurst of his duties. When the new
| doctor took charge there were but two or
| three sick. and they were In a state of con-
| valescence.
Coon tbaraoffar m MIA