2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2024
Self covering letter written by "Lewis E, Stuart", from Shrevesport Louisiana, January 6, 1848, 4pp to General A, J. Davis, Lewsisburg, Greenbrier VA. In part, " I landed at New Orleans on the 30th of November ... but before 24 hours I met with a terrible misfortune. Immediately upon my arrival at New Orleans I took my baggage and horse aboard upon a vessel which was preparing to start out. I was walking after night from the stern to the bow and fell through the hatch, falling across the timbers and broke my thigh four inches below the hip ... I witnessed more suffering in one day at the hospital than the balance of my life. ... every ward was crowded ... the cholera got very bad. Such terror I never saw depicted on the face of men, hundreds there were that wouldn't get out, if they did where would they go, it was at every corner ... they were dying at the rate of 100 per day. Papers were scarcely willing to admit that there was a case. ... I was hauled to the warf but all the boats were crowded so that I had to order the driver to take me to the first boarding house .. there remained until I got a Red River boat ... after I got aboard, the worst symptoms of cholera presented themselves. I concluded I was gone. No medical aid could be procured except some pills a gentleman gave me which gave me great relief ... there were other cases aboard who all died and were thrown overboard ...."
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.