Friday, September 19, 2014

September 21, 1864---An epidemic in Galveston



SEPTEMBER 21, 1864:     

The Galveston (TX) Weekly News (actually published in Houston for much of the war) reports on conditions in the coastal city:

Sickness has continued to spread quite rapidly within the last two days, and it is now admitted, by even "the respectable physicians," that it is an epidemic. The mortality thus far, has been greater than usual at the first introduction of yellow fever.

There is great dissatisfaction among the troops stationed here on account of the scarcity of supplies in the Commissary Department. This should be remedied. There can be no necessity for a lack of food in a State producing such a vast surplusage of all commissary supplies, if agents were efficient in their business. Farmers have generally exhibited great liberality in furnishing our troops the necessaries of life, and will not be wanting now, if properly appealed to.


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