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The Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
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Extract of a letter from New-Orleans dated September 25 describes a malignant and contagious fever epidemic in the city, fatal to many including Col. Butman and his family of seven, leaving poor children destitute. Similar sickness reported up the river at Natchez, Bayou Sarah, and St. Francisville, where a 'Cold Plague' is deadly. The city is now improving.
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Extract of a letter from a young gentleman in New-Orleans, to his father in Boston, dated September 25.
"By divine permission I have it in my power again to address you, having been thus far preserved from a fever the most malignant and contagious that has been known in this city for 20 years; taking down and proving fatal to natives as well as strangers, defying the power of medical skill, and snatching from the world many, who, twelve hours before their death were enjoying the most perfect health."
Col. Butman and family, were, literally speaking, entirely swept off, seven having died. To mention all of my acquaintance who have deceased, might be uninteresting to you, and would occupy too much space in this letter.
"Many poor children have been bereft of their parents, and left entirely destitute of means of support.
"It has also been very sickly up the river Natchez, Bayou Sarah, St. Francisville, &c. At the latter place they have a disease which they call the Cold Plague, which in a very short time carries off those seized with it.—The patient is taken with a chill, and lies in a kind of stupor till he dies.
"Our city is now growing more healthy.—Very few cases have occurred the last week."
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New Orleans
Event Date
September 25
Key Persons
Outcome
col. butman and family entirely swept off, seven having died; many natives and strangers deceased; poor children bereft of parents and destitute; city now growing more healthy with very few cases last week
Event Details
Malignant and contagious fever in New-Orleans, fatal to many despite medical skill, striking suddenly; similar sickness up the river at Natchez, Bayou Sarah, St. Francisville; at St. Francisville, Cold Plague causes chill and stupor leading to quick death