The fate of the troops who were embarked in other vessels was even
worse than those on the Thompson. Of the one thousand men who left
Buffalo only about four hundred survived. General Scott gave every
attention to the sick, exposing himself without fear day and night in
seeing to the wants of his men. Leaving Colonel Abram Eustis in
command, he proceeded to join General Atkinson at Prairie du Chien,
which he reached on the 3d of August. The engagement called the Battle
of Bad Axe had been fought before his arrival. He was here again
confronted with the plague of cholera, which had broken out in
Atkinson's command at Rock Island, and he devoted himself to the care
of the sick and the consolation of the dying.
In this connection an extract from the Richmond Enquirer of August 7,
1832, will be of interest:
"LOUISVILLE, _July 27, 1832_.--The following is the latest
official intelligence from Chicago. We are indebted to a commercial
friend for it.--_Advertiser._
"'HEADQUARTERS NORTHWESTERN ARMY,
"'CHICAGO, _July 15, 1832_.
"'SIR: To prevent or to correct the exaggerations of rumor
in respect to the existence of cholera at this place, I address
myself to your Excellency. Four steamers were engaged at Buffalo to
transport United States troops and supplies to Chicago.
"'In the headmost of these boats, the Sheldon Thompson, I, with my
staff and four companies, a part of Colonel Eustis's command,
arrived here on the 8th. All on board were in high health and
spirits, but the next morning six cases of undoubted cholera
presented themselves. The disease rapidly spread itself for the
next three days. About one hundred and twenty persons have been
affected.
"'Under a late act of Congress six companies of rangers are to be
raised and marched to this place. General Dodge, of Michigan, is
appointed major of the battalion, and I have seen the names of the
captains, but I do not know where to address them. I am afraid that
the report from this place in respect to cholera may seriously
retard the raising of this force.
"'I wish, therefore, that your Excellency would give publicity to
the measures I have adopted to prevent the spread of the disease,
and of my determination not to allow any junction or communication
between uninfected and infected troops.
"'The war is not at an end, and may not be brought to a close for
some time. The rangers may reach the theatre of operations in time
to give the final blow. As they approach this place I shall take
care of their health and general wants.
"'I write in great haste, and may not have time to cause my letter
to be copied. It will be put in some post office to be forthwith
forwarded. I have the honor to be
"'Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
"'WINFIELD SCOTT.
"'_His Excellency_, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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