Ohio History Journal

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A Surgeon's Mate at Fort Defiance:

A Surgeon's Mate at Fort Defiance:

The Journal of Joseph Gardner Andrews

For the Year 1795--III

Edited by RICHARD C. KNOPF*

 

 

This is the third and last installment of the Andrews journal. The

ague, which Andrews noted on August 21 had "commenced among

the soldiery of the Garrison," now in September attacks in force. By

October 1 two-thirds of the ninety-four persons on the post, including

Andrews, are affected with it. Then it withdraws, though on October

29 twenty-three are still on the sick list and on November 5, eighteen.

By December 1 the siege is over, but it leaves two "convalescent"

and seven suffering from "debilitas."

Although he is busy with his patients and frequently doctoring

himself, Andrews' journal does not suffer. A Shawnee chief deposits

with him his prized possessions before going on his winter hunting,

and Andrews remarks that Indian friendship can be very trouble-

some. "The first American Mercht. that has passed since our resi-

dence at this post" stops on his way to Detroit. A corporal arrives

from Greene Ville in search of his wife, and finding her at the fort

in the keeping of a sergeant, loads "him with thanks for his atten-

tion to her." "A private lately enlisted" deserts, and Nekskorwetor,

"that faithful Shawanoe," returns the next day with his scalp, re-

ceiving, besides a twenty-dollar gratuity, "many compliments from

the officers." Ensign Frothingham, "after a tedious illness," dies

"without a pang," and Andrews writes a case history and performs

an autopsy, concluding with the observation that the ensign was

"temperate to a criminal excess." The Christmas season is celebrated

with cannon, food, and liquor, and the year and the journal end

with fifteen rounds of artillery and a "Farewell 1795."

* The first and second installments of the Andrews journal appeared in the two

preceding issues of the Quarterly, pages 57-86 and 159-186.