The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-18


OF Notary Seeking TO Implicate
President johnson In the Abduction.
Copyright. 1902. BY the Baltimore An ericdn,
CHAPTER MI
In the brief space of a month after the
killing of Winters our small island and in
closure were visited by yellow fever. 1t
made fearful ravages among the limited
number stationed there, sweeping nearly
every officer at the post away. IT struck
from earth our hest officers and permit ed
the hcartless ones to recover TO repeat
again, ! suppose, more OF their cruelties
upon humanity under their command. The
ways Of Providence are mysterious, and no
doubt it was done for some good and wise
purpose.
Among the first TO succumb to the dread
disease was Brevet Major J. Sim Smith,
Surgeon in charge. DR.. Smith. on his arrival
ut the post, which was but few months
before corrected in various instances the
abuse and rciguing terrors which abounded
there
He was, indeed. a man of humanity and
kindness. a gentleman 10y birth and culture
the soldiers and prisoners friend and
protector, and his memory lives in the mind
and the heart of all by whom he was then
surrounded as all that was good, pure, up
ight and noble.
He worked with un,iring zeal while the
fever ragged until the fatal malady struck
him down upon the bed Of sickness. where
be fingered but three days and died. He
received every attention from DR.. Mudd
..l. - II.
Mrs. Smith was lying in an adjacent room.
sick with the fever. DR.. Mudd paid her
every attention and worked unfalteringly
TO save her life, His efforts were crowned
with success and shc recovered from the
disease. During the period Of the sickness
Of DR.. Smith and family there was neither
an officer nor an officers wife that came
near them to administer to their wants.
their cases dcvolving upon the care of DR..
Mudd and faithfully did he perform all that
lay within his power.
In a short time the fever proved epidemic.
and men could I've seen falling down in every
section Of the fort. "a the dread malady
seized them. When in former times officers
were parading about devising plans where
with TO torture the soldiers and prisoners
nothing was seen or heard Of them. they
keeping themselves closely closeted pail
like unto death seemingly hanging over the
ri ers' quarters. Fear was depicted upon
the countenance If every one 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 companies
were retained to guard the fort and prison.
ers. The prisoners had to stand the brunt
of the fever, their only safety being in an
overriding Providence. Out Of the fifty
two prisoners confined there but two died.
whereas the garrison lost In officers and
men, thirty-seven.
CoFfINs AND SICK IN oNR BoAT.
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 as a hospital, the commanding
officer thinking thereby TO prevent the gar
rison from being infected,
Sick patients, seated in 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 II would he advisable to discon-
unue this practice: that the fever was In
our midst, and that it could not be dis
lodged until tho poison had expended itself,
advising that all cases bn brought to and
treated at the hospital. This was acceded
70. 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. nodcath occurring.
DR.. Whitehurst, perfectly cunvorsant with
the mode Of treatment, he having had inn
mense practice In the disease. approved DR..
Mudds manner of treatment, and il was
continued throughout the period the fever
ragged in our midst. The fcver began to
assume a more virulent type. and in spite
Of the untiring exertion Of both began to
make sad inroads into our numbers
FEAR MITIdArED CRuELrIEs
Every one now thought Of self alone.
There was no respect shown by the attend
ants, they being soldier staken from differ
ent companies. to either the dead or the
diving. No sooner had the breath left tho
body that It was cofffned and hurried over
10 its lsat resting place, there being a boat,
with a crew. detailed a. the burying party,
always awaiting.
In many instances collins were brought
into the hospital and placed alongside the
led to receive the body of some one ex-
pected TO die. and had to b. removed again,
the patient still tenaciously clinging to
life.
Men less sick were startled viewing these
proceedings, it having a tendency to cause
,heir own condition 10 become worse. Dur
ing the terrible ordeal Of the fever the gar.
tison kept itself, duties being neglected by
both officers and soldiers.
During its progress the Island assumed
different aspect. The island, which be-
pre- was more like place peoplcd by fienols
ran anything else it could bc compared
with. suddenly became calm. quiet and
peaceful. Fear stood out upon the face
Of every human heing.
HERoIsM or DIR. MUDp.
Some attempted to assuae the tone OF