The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-01-11

I'll mustered out at the end of the
war, in 1888, after personally partici-
pating in many Of its most important
events, including the capitulation at
Yorktown.
/ At the close OF the war, he returned
to his home at Port Tobacco, but
shortly after, at the earnest solicita-
ton of his late chief. he removed e.
Alexandria, near Mount Vernon, where
lie continued In agreeable association
with the Washingtons until his death.
In 179S, when war with France seemed
inevitable and, Washington was again
summoned to lead the army, he made
the appointment of Craik at the head
Of the medical department one Of the
conditions Of his own acceptance of
the command, remarking. Il have al.
ready been applied to by q gentleman
to recommend him for director Of tie
hospital, which have refused, as we'll
on general grounds as because |
should prefer my old FRIEND Doctor
Craik. who, from forty years expert
enee, is better qualified than q dozen
If them together"
Craik was accordingly commits
stoned physician general Of the army
July 10. 1898, with the pay and emoluI
nenfs Of lieutenant colonel, but with
sout rank. with the proverbial ps1G1
zgenee DC military latian "
organizing the provincial army pi
vIded only for regimental surgeon
and surgeons mates. Fortunately
however, James McHenry, the secre
tary Of war, had himself served as d
medical officer during the Revolution
and In him Craik found strong sup
port in developing a properly organ
lied medical establishment, act
for the naturalization Of wSzsswas
passed BY congress, March 2, 1883.
The determined attitude OF the
United States. her prompt resort to.
arms and the temperance Of her II
lustrious soldier at the head Of the
army. however, was sufficient to re-
press the warlike ardor of France,
and. peace speedily prevailing between
the two nations, the army was dis
banded, Physician General Cralk's
services officially terminating on June
Is, 1900.
Long before the latter date, how
ever, he had returned to his beautiful
Virginia home, where in December,
1899, it fell to his lot to close with
his own hand the dying eyes Of his
faithful and famous friend. General
Washington.
OF that solemn hour, Craik himself
wrote: II, who was bred amid scenes
of human calamity. who had so often
witnessed death in it's direst and most
awful forms, believed that its terrors
were too familiar to my eye to shake
my fortitude; but when l saw this
great man die it seemed as if the !,
bonds of my nature were rent asunf
der. and that the pillar of my couE-
try's happiness had fallen to tie
ground"
Washington's own Testimony to the
relations between them was Witnessed
by the clause of his viii which specf-
fed that: "To my compatriot in arms,
and old and infinite friend, Doctor
Craik, give my bureau Cor as the
cabinet makers call it, tambour secte-
tary) and the circular chair, an dp-
pendage of my study"
Doctor Craik survived this event h5
years, the latter portion Of the time
in honored retirement, being remem-
bered by his grandson at this period
as "a stout, hale. CHEEKY old man. per-
fectly erect, fond of company and of
children and amusing himself with
light work in the garden" He re-
manned vigorous to the last and
passed away February @, 1914. at tie
age of sixty-four.