George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS SCOXrS BOOK M4RT 405 LAURA STREET (Opp. Cchcn'o ! Tel. 5-92S9 JACK£0;>iVILLE, FLA. •^'"'-•^^'^•^^ ^ N PERKINS LIBRARY Uuke University Kare Dooks THE GREAT EPIDEMIC IE¥ EERNE AND YICimTY, September and October, 1864. BY ONE WHO PASSED THROUGH IT, W. S. BENJAMIN. NEW BERNE, N. C. : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEO. MILLS JOY. 1865. THE FLOWERS COlLECTm' THE GEEAT EPIDEMIC IN NEW BERNE AND YICINITY. -♦♦- In the liistory of this rebellion no city which has been captured and occupied by our forces, situated as far North as New Berne, North CaroUua, has been visited by a sweeping pestilence, so completely decimating as the late terrible scourge of ydloio fever. In proportion to the population of our city, and taking into consideration the number of those who, for personal safety, visited the Northern States, the epidemic of Septem- ber and October, 1864, stands unparalleled in its fearful fatality. So general and excellent had been the i)ublic health for a long term of years, that no apprehension of disease was exhibited, and, least of all, of an endemic infec- tion so appalling in its ravages, and respecting neither rank, age, sex, or the native born, as the one with which we have been identified, and through which, with all its attending terrors, a merciful Providence has permitted a few of us to pass. The yellow fever in Norfolk, Ya., in 1855, did not approach that of our experience in its malignant type and character. Fifty-two years ago, New Berne was afflicted with a visitation similar to the one of which wc write, but 336073 by no means as vindictive in its fury, or as extensive in its direful mortality. Of the origin of that pestilence, the his- torians of tiiat time authoritatively declare that it was in- troduced here by a trading vessel from one of the Spanish West India Islands, the commerce of Xew Berne with that part of the world, at that period, Ijeing an extensive one. Of the immediate cause to which the late epidemic owes its origin and diifusion, we can only allude to briefly in this present narrow limit. Among the maladies and diseases which the human race stand most in dread of, none are more feared than those which spring from specific infectious poisons. Eminent medical men have been divided in their opinions concerning the nature of those influences which tend to pro- duce contagions, but the greater number of them are satis- fied that yellow fever can only be generated from miasma and paludal malaria, the same which creates intermittent and remittent fevers. Other physicians maintain that the inhaling of the " spores of fungi" will superinduce similar results; but the subject is one which so entirely depends upon scientific research for any satisfactory elucidation, that we must be content in re- ferring the reader to the most approved authors for a more complete acquaintance with this topic. Our Medical Director, Dr. D. W. Hand, and associate Surgeons, have decided that malaria was the cause of the late devastating destruction of human life in this city. When the disease first made its appearance in our midst, no alarm w^as manifested by our citizens, as it was beheved to be a o.ne of simply an ordinary bilious character, and term- ed in e very-day parlance, " malignant bilious fever." The first attacked by the insidious foe were John A. Taylor, W. Vanderbeek, Sutler 158th N. Y. Volunteers, Lieut. John- son, of the Ambulance Corps, Cnpt. Wni. IXolden, A. Q. M., and Charles Hoskins, late of the Chief Provost Marshal's office, under Capt. J. W. Denny. Mr. Taylor was the first victim, and deserves particular mention. A young mau whose character was without re- proach, and universally esteemed by all who had the pleas- ure of his acquaintance; he was one of the proprietors of the principal drug store in the city, and, by energy and un- relaxed industry, had succeeded in amassing a handsome independence, by dealing in naval stores, apart from his regular business. His demise was deeply regretted by the comnnmity, but it did not give rise to any degree of con- jecture concerning his disease, being, as it were, the pioneer case. Mr. William Yanderbeck, was one of the most popular business men in the community, open-hearted and generous to a fault, and a man of incredible perseverance. He liad the peculiar faculty of making every one his friend, and " none knew him biit to praise." His illness was of some duration, but at no time did he manifest the slight- est fear of its proving fatal; struggling against the disease, and even leaving his chamber, declaring that he would soon be well; Ijut in vain he tried to rally his drooping spirits, and sank into death's embrace. Peace be to his ashes! A man than whom none were more thoroughly and better known, upright in all his dcab ings, punctilious in his honor, and firm in his friendship. We have none too many men of his calil)re, and the luemory of \Villiam Yanderbcek will l)e fondly cherished when other names have been lost in oblivion. Lieut. Johnston died previous to Mr. Vanderbeek, and his death was generally supposed to have proceeded from congestive fever. Cajit. Wm. ITohlcn, Acting Ch'ef Quar- termaster, suffered long and severely, and for some days his 3360;^3 life was entirely (lespairod of, but he passed through the dreadful ordeal, to the infinite joy of a legion of friends and the connnunity at large. Tlie Captain has since been enter- tained with a perusal of obituary notices of himself, pul- lished in Northern papers, and, at least, has learned what men did say of him believing him dead, and knows full well the record he would have left behind him, had he " shuffled off tliis mortal coil," and how a people will remember those who achieve enduring popularity. AYe are proud to chronicle the return of the Captain to New Berne, com- pletely restored to health. During the illness of Capt. Holden, the disease assumed a bolder and more threatening aspect, breaking out in the Post Commissary's, and carry- ing off the detailed clerks. George Pcnniman, of the 23d Massachusetts Regiment; Reuben De Luce, of the 25th Massachusetts Regiment; Thomas G. Grier, of the 51st Pennsylvania Regiment; Lieutenant WiUiam O. Bro2C7i, and F. Wellington, of the 25th Massachusetts Regiment, sur- vived, but were saved almost miraculously. The Com- missary Depot was situated at the foot of Craven Street, contiguous to the wharf. Jn the summer, the old dock, which had been there for many years, (and in which many a bark from the West Indies had discharged her valuable ftvights, in times gone by, like " the rich argosies of old,") WIS fillc d up, and the present large and commodious one com- ])leted in its stead. Subsequently, heavy rains left an accu- mulation of water under the adjacent storehouses, which, haviug no outlet to tiie river, became stagnant, and created the malaiia from which the epidemic arose. The appearance of New Berne at this time was sombre in the extreme; with the fading shades of each evening, the kindled fires at evei y coriier. emitting heavy columns of the densest and llatkest s noke, enveloped the city in a funeral pall, and the " death- angel flapped his winp^s " o'er its dwellings; still the fever had not yet assumed the character of an epidemic. The order came from tlic Medical Director, Dr. D. W. Hand, to the Chief Provost Marshal, to destroy the wooden buildings on Craven Street Wharf, which concealed in their cellars the standing pools, "green mantled" in their miasmatic robes. It was no easy task to burn down those storclionses with- in tlieir circumscribed limits, and not include tlie neighboring tenements; for, only by the most guarded vigilance, active firemen and excellent management, could the duty be accom- plished. An hour's rain in the afternoon of that day del- uged the roofs, and afforded a most effectual safeguard and assurance against the encroachments of the fire. At 3 o'clock, P.M., the Chief Frovcst Marshal, Major Jl T. Lawson, and his deputies, came on the ground, and immedi- ately the work of disembowelment conniienced, and in a short space of time all the commissary stores were removed to a place of security, and the torch applied. Major Lawson during the conflagration exerted himself with superhuman effort in his endeavor to prevent the flames from spreading, drenched in water, and exposed, long after dark, to the noxious night air. Twice did an adjoin- ing warehouse become the prey of the devouring element, but the ])crseverance of the firemen succeeded, and none but the buildings designated by the Medical Director were destroy- ed. It was almost beyond belief that a fire of such magni- tude should have 1)een controlled in so masterly a manner, and the Provost Marshal, in the hour of his triumph and grateful discharge of duty, sealed his fate, and fell before the pestilence. Major Henry T. Lawson, of the 2d Massachu- setts Artillery, Chief Provost Marshal of New Berne, Avas a brave soldier, and a conscien'ious hidi-toncd i>'entleman. 8 He was universally beloved, winning enduring friends by the urbanity of his manners and amiability. In the distribution of justice he was strict, l>ut impartial, and in the performance of onerous duties, faithful and exact, jealous of his good name, with that delicate sensibility " which men of honor pride themselves so much upon." He was prominent in his humanity, and inflexible in pur- pose. We shall never forget the scene of the execution of six deserters, when the unfortunate men, seated on their coffins, with bandaged eyes, closed forever from the world, bade adieu to the Provost Marshal, their unwilling executioner; the tremulous grasp of the hand in final adieu, as he passed slowly and sorrowfully from man to man, receiving from each parting words of confidence and little keepsakes for relatives, from whom their ignominious end could not be concealed, while a deluge of tears coursed his manly cheeks, choking his utterance, and rendering him almost unable to pronounce the orders, for each " to be shot to death with musketry." But the stern necessity of military discipline fortified his heart, and the soldier triumphed over the man. Alas! little thought he, on that eventful day, how soon he would follow the doomed culprits to eternity's mansion, wasted by a pernicious fever. Major Lawson will always be remembered in New Berne, and by his comrades in arms; and the deep anxiety manifested by all classes of the com- munity during his illness was followed by universal mourning at his decease. There have been but few men in exalted positions who have commanded more admiration than the late Chief Provost Marshal. Major I^awson served with distinguished honor through the Peninsular campaign. Maj. Henry T. LA^vsoN, 2(1 ^Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Ghbf Provost Marshal, Died Oct., 1801, Of Yellow Fever. Lieut. Col. Walter S. Poor, of the 2d N. C. llcgiiuent, succeeded Major Lawsou, as Chief Provost Marshal, and through the pernicious season, as a member of the Board of Health, contril)uted greatly towards the restoration of the health of the city, and will always be remembered with fervent gratitude. Col. Poor is most ably assisted in his position by the Deputy Provost Marshal, Lieut. John Walker, of the 132d New York Infantry, Lieut. Walker's amiability and rare social qualities, combined with the courteous bearing and strict discipline of the soldier, will ever preserve to him a legion of friends. Previous to the death of Major Lawson, Charles Weig- aud, merchant; Joseph Boetzkes, boot and shoe dealer; J. Breen, merchant tailor; Cipher, on Pollock Street, were stricken down, and the daily average of deaths about this time was from six to eight, the mortality rapidly increasing, so that in one week from the death of the above persons, the interments each day reached the number of from twenty to twenty -five, and a general flight of the citizens commenced. James Bryan, Esq., a lawyer of eminent ability, and who had resided at the North during the war, was only just re. turned to New Berne, to engage in the business of his pro fcssion. and expired after a brief illness — iiis wife soon after following hmi. 10 And now tho pestilonco fully established itself as an oi)i(.lemic, and raged with fearful fatality among- native fami- lies; in some instances, and not a few, entire households were carried off, leaving not one in the numl^er to tell the tale. AVe know where the Provost Guard of the 15th Connecticut Regiment nobly performed the last duties to the dead prior to sepulture. By the 10th of October the city was well nigh vacated. Nearly all places of business closed; those that remained open, were the stores of William L. Poalk, auctioneer and commission merchant, Pollock Street; S. Kahn, corner of Pollock and Middle; T. L. Merrill & Co., Pollock Street; R. Berry, Middle Street; J. Patterson, foot of Pollock Street; W. Ames, South Front Street; Luther W. Holmes, corner of Craven and South Front Street; Andrew Collins, Craven Street; F. Tomlinson, Craven Street; J. McCormick, mer- chant tailor, Pollock Street. The 15th of October saw the city a dismal blank, " Deserted and drear With howling winds and creaks of the bier." While the yellow fever held undisputed sway, and the destroyer reigned a relentless tyrant, there assembled a little band of courageous, devoted men, drawn together by the most sacred impulses which can inspire the human heart. They met, forming a phalanx of " Good Samaritans," and pledged their lives and all for the great purpose of adminis- tering comfort to the sick, and the last sad offices to the dead. They presented truly a noble front, and their record is now given to the world. They stand alone and conspicuous in tlieir deeds and career, and their names should be preserved in an immortality of fame. Self-sacrificing men, men who had ties that bound them to this earth as strong as any ties 11 of those who had hccn the recipients of their ministrations. In a time that appalled the stoutest hearts they shrank not, but heroically faced death with all its terrors; and lirst and foremost was William L. Poalk, the mainspring, and tiie head, the mover and originator of the never-to-be- forgotten •'DEAD CORPS." William L. Toalk, John Jones, Henry S. Mandkville, Curtis Peckford, William P. jSIoore, Jr., [ Who sacrificed ihdr lives.'] James P. Allen, AV. 1*. Ketcham, C. II. Alexander, G. G. Manning, S. Kahn. As they appear in bold relief. The spectacle was witnessed throughout the woful period by the few that remained in our midst, of the soul sickening and heart-rending devastation of the merciless contagion. The silent, solemn travel of hearse after hearse, with no ac- companying friend, save the zealous, fearless minister of God, leading the way, and under the grand canopy of Heaven's erubescent sky, pronouncing the solitary service o'er the de- parted. Wend your way tJirough the empty streets of tie crushed city, and whom do you meet ? None, save here and there an oilicer hurrying rapidly along, as though conscious of his peril. There, turning the corner of Broad and Mid- dle Streets, is one who has just been seized by the fever, trembling convulsively from head to foot, and his pallid vis- age hidden beneath the collar of his coat. Young man, speed thee homeward, the saffron's hue will soon o'ercloud thy face. The avenger has marked thee for his own, and the morning's sun may see thee enshrouded in thy winding 12 sheet. Ilark ! not tlic si iprli test sound disturbs the oppressive, dreadful silence. Ob, where arc all the people ? Is there no one in the town, none to tread the public ways ? Are all gone ? Is the town thoroughly, conii)letely deserted ? Arc all the houses vacant ? Poor plague-smitten New Berne ! a grievous time is on thee, truly. Hark ! again ! there's a tramp along yonder pavement — some members of the ''Dead Corjps^^ on their way to an afflicted mansion; they reach the threshold, then pause a while, and deter- minedly enter. It is almost certain destruction to breathe th'e poisonous air within, and yet they falter not. When all else have abandoned them, these ministering spirits hover around the prostrate forms, soothing their anguish, and ardently essaying to mitigate their unutterable pain, amid the stifling effluvia of the infection. See how tenderly the head is supported, and how kindly these philanthropists proffer sustenance and comforts, hand in hand with potent sympathy. * * Thou most happy power, sweet sympathy ,» Thy office and thy nature still the same, Lasting thy lamp and unconsumed thy flame. Shall still survive — Thou shalt stand before the hosts of Heaven confest, Forever blessing and forever blest. No radiant pearl which crested fortune wears, No gem that twinkling hangs from beauty's ears, Nor the bright stars which night's blue arch adorn, Nor rising suns that gild the vernal morn, Shine with such lustre as the tear that breaks For others woe, down virtue's manly cheeks." Ketrace your steps to your own domicile, and again you encounter a procession of hearses — the same venerable pas- tor, the Rev. Father Rouse, its single attendant— the ideal Christian, the beau ideal of God's noblest work. 13 Some angel guide mj' pencil, while I draw What nothing else than angel can exceed; A man on earth devoted to the skies, Like ships at sea, while in, above the world. His morning glory shall wc 'er forget '? His noontide's full-blown lily coronet. His evening primrose has not opened yet. Nay, even if creeping time should hide the skies In midnight, from his venerable eyes, Darkened like his who sang of Paradise, Would not some hidden song-bud open bright As the resplendent cactus of the night, That floodo the gloom with fragrance and with light ? How shall we thank him that in direful days He faltered never — nor for blame nor praise Walked with the pestilence on life's highway s. Marbles forget their message to mankind. In his own life the sage we still shall find; In his own life his memory lives enshrined. Yet since life's amplest measBure must be filled, Since throbbing hearts must be forever stilled, And all must fade that evening sunsets gild, Grant, Father, ere he close the mortal eyes, That see a Nation's reeking sacrifice. Its smoke may vanish from these blacken'd skies. Then, when his summons come, as come it must, And looking heavenward with imfaltering trust, He wraps his drapery round him for the dust, His last fond glance will show him o'er his head. The Northern fires beyond the zeiiith spread, In lambent glory, blue and white and red; u The Southern cross without its bleeding load, The milky-way of peace all freshly showed, And every whitC'throned star fixed in its lost abode. A benisou on thee, tlioii worthy man ; you meet the shivering blast each moment undismayed; those funeral rites which you repeat o'er to so many hundreds, we trust may not be re- peated over you, until you have attained the greenest old age, full of years and honor. Thy true existence is not yet begun, thy glorious course will then be complete. How you have borne up through many weeks of constant service in thy lioly calling, exposed to the epidemic's fury, no mortal knows; but you shall rest embalmed in the mem- ories of those whose kindred you have blessed, and the annals of these awful days will chronicle thee in grateful verse. Eev. J. HiLi EousE, Post Chaplain, Xtio Berne, iV". C. September and October, 1864. Notwithstanding the multifarious duties of the Medical Director, Surgeon V. W. Hand, the number of his patients was so large that it seems wonderful that he should have been able to attend them at all hours of the day and night, deprived of rest, and still not become exhausted. So frequent were the calls for him that it was impossible for him to answer one-half; upon him also devolved the duties of Medical Pur- veyor, a very responsible and arduous position, requiring, as it does, the distribution of medical supplies to every regiment and hospital in North Carolina, and undertaken by Dr. Hand, in the absence of Surgeon E. T. Moroug, the regular purveyor. Dr. Wilson, of the Navy, died in the 15 early part of the epidemic, and Dr. , Surgeon in cliarge of Foster Hospital, was interrupted in liis adminis- tration by an attack of the disease, and Surgeon T. M. Rice, of the ia2d New York Infantry, stationed at Bachelor's Creek Outposts of New Berne, succeeded him. When Dr. Rice came to the city the pestilence was at its height, and he found the hospitals crowded to excess. The great success which the Doctor had met with in his own regiment at the Creek, was exhibited in his reports to the M^edical Director; a remarkably clean bill of health, each month, presenting indisputable evidence of his consummate skill, and that of his experienced and learned Assistant Sur- geon, Dr. L. Groninger. At the time Dr. Rice took charge of the Foster Hospital, Mr. Silas Covill, one of the conductors on the Railroad, and Mr. Wheeler, another conductor, had died. Mr. Samuel Holman, conductor of the Bachelor's Creek train, was prostrated by the fever, but subsequently recovered, to re- ceive the congratulations of a host of friends. Mr. Cornelius Kane was the first engineer on the road, and ran the first train from Morehead City to New Berne, after Gen. Burnside occupied it, and had been in constant duty ever since. During his sojourn in North Carolina he had established for himself an enviable character. He had removed his family to New Berne, and consider- ed himself permanently located here with us. His demise leaves a wife and two children alone in the world, to mourn his irreparable loss, with the smcere regret of all'who had been connected with him. Aiidy Kane, also connected with the Railroad, died at Beaufort. John S. Mateer, formerly of the Government Sash and Blind Factory, and who had seen service during the war, 16 also fell. lie was an honest man, and when we say that, we need not strive to add to his praise. Dr. Siti.er's patients numbered more than 400; and the scenes which he was called on to pass through defy descrip- tion. We should deem this little work quite incomplete did we suffer ourselves to omit some of the incidents which are a part and parcel of his history; but throughout the epi- demic no deatli occurred, wliich struck down a more promis- lug young man, and carried deeper sorrow into a family circle, than the decease of Luther W. Holmes — who was attended by Dr. Sitler. Mr. Holmes came to New Berne with the 44th Massa- chusetts Volunteers, and after that regiment's term of ser- vice expired, accepted a clerkship with Mr. Charles Hunt, who had been the Sutler of the 44th Massachusetts, and was then engaged in business in this city, as a merchant, on South Front Street, and, in the summer of 1862, was succeeded in the business of the house, by Mr. Wallace Ames, his partner. Mr. Holmes continued at the establish- ment, in Mr. Ames's employ, until 1864, when he leased the building at the corner of Craven and South Front Streets, and commenced business on his own account. He had been a faithful and devoted clerk throughout his long apprentice- ship, and by strict frugality and industry amassed a sufficient sum to place himself on a footing with the merchants of this city. He was the example of a self made man, andi»ursued a steady career, full of lofty aim, and characterized by the most undeviatmg rectitude. His prospects were uncommonly bright and his anticipations eager; but, in the bloom of his youth, he was cut down — and we must mourn his loss with bowed down hearts. May he rest in eternal peace. By the 3d of October the pestilence was making great havoc in Beaufort, and broke out in the Treasury Depart- ment, greedy in its terrible ravages for shining marks. Col. It David TTeaton, Suporvisino- Special A gout of tlic Troasnvy Department, was ol}lip:ed to sueenmb to tlie disease. At tlio eritieal point of liis illness it was fully believed that lie would be added to the list of mortality; but, after a confinement of ten days, and by the untirin