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Story
August 9, 1832
Virginia Free Press
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Lieut. Amos B. Eaton writes from Detroit on July 19 about a cholera outbreak ravaging soldiers, killing about one in three, with many desertions and deaths; he recovered from his own severe attack. News from Chicago reports 54 soldier deaths on a boat and widespread dispersion of troops.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of a letter written by Lieut. Amos B. Eaton to his father, Prof. Eaton, of Troy.
DETROIT, JULY 19.
After we had been in this place a few days the cholera commenced its ravages among the soldiers of this command, and hurried to eternity about every third man. But the sick are now all so far convalescent, that Col. Cummings has written to Gen. Scott for orders. I was pretty severely attacked, and my strength seemed entirely prostrated. I am now gaining a little strength.
News this moment arrived from Chicago, since I began this letter. We learn that 54 soldiers and 1 officer died of the cholera in one of the boats. Between 200 and 400 of the men fled from the Army; and most of the troops belonging to this expedition are so far dispersed, that nothing efficient can probably be done by them at present. The dead bodies of the deserters are frequently found in the roads, swamps, &c.
Thus, we see, that this part of the expedition is strewed like chaff, by a blast of the pestilence. It is an illustration of the displeasure of the Almighty at our treatment of that poor starved race of beings, whom our injustice drives to madness.
DETROIT, JULY 19.
After we had been in this place a few days the cholera commenced its ravages among the soldiers of this command, and hurried to eternity about every third man. But the sick are now all so far convalescent, that Col. Cummings has written to Gen. Scott for orders. I was pretty severely attacked, and my strength seemed entirely prostrated. I am now gaining a little strength.
News this moment arrived from Chicago, since I began this letter. We learn that 54 soldiers and 1 officer died of the cholera in one of the boats. Between 200 and 400 of the men fled from the Army; and most of the troops belonging to this expedition are so far dispersed, that nothing efficient can probably be done by them at present. The dead bodies of the deserters are frequently found in the roads, swamps, &c.
Thus, we see, that this part of the expedition is strewed like chaff, by a blast of the pestilence. It is an illustration of the displeasure of the Almighty at our treatment of that poor starved race of beings, whom our injustice drives to madness.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Disaster
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Providence Divine
Catastrophe
What keywords are associated?
Cholera Outbreak
Soldier Deaths
Military Desertion
Divine Displeasure
Expedition Failure
What entities or persons were involved?
Lieut. Amos B. Eaton
Prof. Eaton
Col. Cummings
Gen. Scott
Where did it happen?
Detroit
Story Details
Key Persons
Lieut. Amos B. Eaton
Prof. Eaton
Col. Cummings
Gen. Scott
Location
Detroit
Event Date
July 19
Story Details
Cholera outbreak strikes soldiers in Detroit, killing about one in three; Eaton recovers from severe illness. News from Chicago: 54 soldiers and 1 officer die on a boat, 200-400 desert, troops dispersed; deserters found dead. Attributed to divine displeasure over treatment of Native Americans.