Part 85 (1/2)

Since leaving Port Royal we have had two deaths, and some addition to the number of cases, but generally on approaching a cold climate, all seem to improve and we have had no new cases for the last 48 hours.

I beg leave to forward three letters from Surgeon Pinckney, who was taken down in the commencement of the epidemic, also one from Pa.s.sed a.s.sistant Surgeon Maccoun, from whom I have received (p. 365) the most valuable aid, during this severe visitation. As I had but one surgeon left, and fearing he might also fall sick during the pa.s.sage home, I applied to Admiral Stewart for a medical officer, and previous to our departure from Port Royal, he sent us a.s.sistant Surgeon Rose, who kindly volunteered his services.

I cannot find words to express my sense of obligation to Admiral Stewart for the kind and prompt manner in which he placed the Royal Naval Hospital at our disposal, and furnished us with every convenience for landing the sick, nor to Dr. Kinnear, Deputy Medical Inspector, and the medical officers under him for their attention to the comforts of those placed under their charge.

I also take great pleasure in mentioning that Commodore Kellett and Captain Hay of the ”Indus” came to offer their a.s.sistance with boats and cots to land the sick.

I have left instructions with Mr. Harrison, our Consul at Kingston, relating to the sick at the Hospital, and have drawn a bill on the Navy Department in his favor for $1500, to cover any necessary expenses that might occur until further instructions should be received from the Department.

I have only to add my great regret at being obliged to leave my station without instructions from the Department, but the circ.u.mstances of the case rendered it absolutely necessary.

I have the honor to be, &c., &c., Joshua R. SANDS, _Captain United States Navy_.

No. 70. (p. 366) PLATE LXXI.

_March 4, 1861--April 14, 1865._

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, 1862.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

[_Sixteenth President of the United States of America._]

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1862. Bust of President Lincoln, facing the right. S. ELLIS DEL. (_delineavit._) SC.

(_sculpsit._) On edge of bust, PATENTED.

A civilized Indian is ploughing his field; his children are playing at ball; on a hill to the left is a log cabin; to the right, a church; beyond them, some s.h.i.+ps and a steamboat on a river; in the background, mountains; above is an Indian scalping his enemy; below, the head of an Indian squaw weeping; on one side, a quiver of arrows; on the other, a calumet and a bow--opposition of civilization to savage life.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born in Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. He settled in Illinois, 1830; was captain of volunteers in the Black Hawk war, 1832; member of the State Legislature, 1834-1841; was admitted to the bar, 1836; settled in Springfield, Illinois, 1837; was a member of Congress, 1847-1849; President of the United States (first term), 1861-1865; (second term), March 4 to April 14, 1865. He was shot by an a.s.sa.s.sin in Was.h.i.+ngton, April 14, 1865, and died the next day, universally lamented. He was known by the sobriquet of ”Honest Abe” (_Abraham_).

No. 71. (p. 367) PLATE LXXII a.

_December 21, 1861, and July 16, 1862._

NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR.

A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a s.h.i.+eld blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by an anchor to two clasps united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure. On the platform: PAQUET F.

(_fecit_).

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ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Acts of Congress Inst.i.tuting Naval Medals of Honor._