Year: 1861

more Called upon me 10 lAIUFm me taat the
supposed dead man had revived, and ad-
dressed his mes mates in such a manner as
to astonish every one, and bring tears from
the eyes of all who heard him that he
then addressed himself to the surgeons
mates, and had now sent fcF me. inme-
diately repaired to the spot, and found him
reeling upon and supported by a messmate,
doctor at each wrist, trying in vain to find
Il pulse. He was universally cold, without
any perceptible pulsation, his eyes bright
and animated, his speech strong and dis
tinct, without any discharge Of blood from
the lungs, although he had been eXer-
cising them so long All the men not
upon duty on deck, surrounded the SICK
one, and were gazing with wonder on the
scene. | was then brought to attend to
his address, which was long, and consisted
of language strong and appropriate, great
tiuency, good grammar, and words well put
together.


My surprise was too great to permit me
to recollect more than small part of what
he said lie declared that he was dead
that his spirit had been separated from his
body, that he had beheld the elorics ofthe
other world, OF which, if language could
convey an idea, he was not at liberty to
give a description; that he was only allow
ed short time to visit earth and give the
advice he was now giving to certain officers
and men. He was extremely solemn and
impressive, and what he uttered was in
such a correct and pure style, that it might
have been heard with satisfaction from the
pulpit, delivered by a learned divine. NJ
ter finishing with me, he ordered me to
send for Commodore Rogers, as he said
he must deliver message to him before he
finally quit US. I waited on the Commo-
dore and deliyerd the order. The Commo-
dore stared, and for moment hesitatcd
how to act, fearing some deception, and the
i'll effects it might have upon the minds of
superstitious seamen but he descended,
when such a scene presented itself as is sell
dom witnessed by man. Imagine to your
self for a moment such a man as Commo-
dore Rogers in sick bay, by lamplight,
surrounded b. hundred or more witness
cs, standing before a common sailor, sup
posed to have been dead, who commenced
to address him in words like these: 4 have
sent for you SIR some hours since | would
have trcmbled at your form and feared your
displeasure; but now, sir, am your supc-
ror, being messenger from heaven to you
therefore, listen to what shall say. He
then touched in handsome manner
upon the different duties and relative stu
alton Of commander aud men, dwelt upon
the great responsibility Of his station, his
power to do good, !he force Of good exam
pie, humanity, etc, etc.


When he had concluded, his head sank
upon his shoulder and he appeared again to
be lilclcss. The Commodore retired to his
cabin, sent for me, and requested from me
philosophical explanation OF what had
happened. | endeayored to give one,
which it would take up too much time to
repeat; but there was and ever will be one


nsurmountable difficulty in the case, with
out admitting something like inspiration,
to wit, how or in what manner he acquired
the knowledge Of such excellent language,
and delivered himself with such fuency
and ease, mostly and clearly being an un-
educated, rough, common topman. Not
knowing what might take place after what
! I had Just witnessed, | laid him down and
retired to rest Late at night was called
out of my room to see a man who was very
ill, and hanging in a hammock near the
sick bay After bleeding him and giving
| him an anodyne, went in haste into the
| bay to get something. No one was pres
ent but myself; all hands not on duty were
sleeping soundly around NE. \ solitary
lamp threw a sickly light. Upon turn
ing my head aside, horrible dictu, what
| struck my eyes but the aforesaid corpse sit
ting up in his bed, fixing his glaring eyes


upon me-


| became motionless and almost petrifed,


when | was relieved from this unpleasant
situation by his exclaiming, with loud


voice and much authority, Give me some


water | never obeyed an order so quick
ly before; springing to a tin mug that


stood near me, | approached, presented it


to his lips, be drank Of i, and closed his


eyes forever. The next morning he was


buried, or committed to the deep. [ never


saw more anxiety depicted upon the human


face than every man discovered during the


reading of the funeral service. Among


six hundred and fifty men | believe not a


fearless eye could be found, and when the


body was slid into the sea, every one,


was about to say, instinctiyely looked ovel


the side, when their surprise was net les


sened by beholding the body rise to th'


surface once or twice before it finally dis


appeared. 1t was astonishing the effec


this affair had upon the language ant
, countenances of the men for some days
especially those who had heard the address
The Commodore was delighted to learn tina
so far from representing fighting to b.
criminal, he spoke of love Of country, an'
t recommended discipline, attention to orders
$ obedience, and performance of duty IN tim