Typhoid fever

Our seasoning to camp life and diet was a test of hardihood. Many of the comrades came down with typhoid fever and within four months forty men of the regiment died, and many others barely pulled through after weeks and months of convalescence. My brother was among the latter. Temporary accommodation for the sick was found in a vacant dwelling. Later a hotel, well adapted for hospital, was secured and the sick were removed to it. Kansas City, at that time, had a population of probably two thousand. The only public transportation was by boat. All of the business was on the street along the river and the boat landings. The main part of the residences were on the bluffs and extending back a short distance to the south. The only fortification was a small fort on the bluff west of the main street, mounting a few cannon commanding the river. The rebel forces under Price did not attack the place as was expected. After all danger of an attack was passed which was about three weeks, the effective force of our regiment returned to Fort Leavenworth by boat.

The sick remained in the hospital. I had permission to remain to care for my brother. He was very sick. For a week he was so delirious that he did not know me. I had had no experience in nursing, but I followed the directions of the surgeon carefully. In about two weeks after the regiment had left, my brother was able to be moved, and we rejoining it at the Fort. Emerson was put into the convalescent camp, and I reported to my company for duty.