Doctor as Soldier

On Saturday, Jan 15th, I was asked to march with the men from Fort Loudoun in the Inaugural Parade for new Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. This was my first outing as a soldier in uniform. It was very enjoyable.

Ensign Boggs at the head of the line of men.

Can you find the Doctor? He's not in his usual place!

Cherokee Victory at Fort Loudoun

Saturday- Hot but with occasional breezes

Reverie at Seven of the clock, with the soldiers meeting on the parade ground at half past.

The colours were raised at Eight in the morning by a platoon of the men and we sang "God Save the King", as per usual.

At half past Eight guards were posted, including a guard at the Infirmary. As the guards were chang'd several times throughout the day, I would often know the fellow posted at the entrance, and we could seripticiously exchange a few jovial words as I went about my appointed tasks as Surgeon's Mate.

I swept the floors and dusted the apothecary bottles. Dr. Anderson and I also took the ticks and pillows off the Infirmary beds and shook them in the out of doors. I made note that they smelled a bit dusty, and that perhaps they should be laid out in the sun soon and perhaps even restuff'd with some fresh straw. There were also several nests of small rodents that had built up that I had to disperse.

The heat was such that several of our men went down. It was difficult to keep enough water ingested to combat the oppressively high heat. None were too serious to be life threatening.

About half past One, Dr. Anderson had been upstairs moving about for some time, and presently came down, took musket in hand and placed his hat upon his head and stepped out of the Infirmary. We did not speak as he left, but knowing my job as I do, I knew that when Anderson leaves, it means I am to stay and watch over things.

I shall let the Captain's own words tell the grizzly tale that followed:

"As everything seemed quiet everywhere & the Centrys had not discovered any Indians, Doctor Anderson & another white man went out, they had gone above Fifty Yards on the side of a little hill, till they were fired at by some Indians that were behind a little log: "

"That moment Forty or Fifty of the men run out with their arms to their assistance; but it was too late, for they were both dead and Scalped:"

 " ... immediately the Savages that were round the hills, fired at the Fort from all sides, but they were so well hid, that we could not have the Satisfaction of killing any of them."

Capt. Paul Demeré

June 6, 1760

We brought Doctor Anderson back up and laid him out on a bed in the Infirmary, for at this point, there was nothing I could do for him. All the Physick and Surgerie in the world could not undo what the Indians had done to him. I covered him with the wool blanket that lay at the foot of the bed. Anderson was dead.

Ensign Boggs and a few of the men came in to pay their respects and some words were said over him. Boggs turned to me and let me know that I would be in charge of the Infirmary in Anderson's stead.

The guard changed, the sun beat down, and Anderson lay under his blanket for the remainder of the afternoon as I kept vigil there in the Infirmary.

Special thanks to Melanie Paniter and Ron Melton for the images.

SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE COLONIAL FAIR part 2

The Cooper cabin

In the small hours of the morning, I placed the last of the dry firewood on the fire and prayed it would last long enough for us to go out and fetch more later on when it got warmer out. I could just see the first light of the day through the cabin window as I settled in to try to get a few more precious minutes of sleep.

The girls and I awoke to Sgt. McBee's knock at the cabin door, letting us know that breakfast was ready. We rose and dressed and I bundled the girls in their bed-jackets and cloaks. Lucy has gotten so big that she was forced to make due with her father's heavy gray wool over-shirt.

We were treated to a magnificent meal of eggs, meats, fried potatoes and assorted pastries.

I gave two detail'd surgical demonstrations for the benefit of the publick during the course of the day. Lucy and I moved the table out into the grass near the dogtrot of the cabin, so that the instruments could be seen by all. Lucy, as she has gotten older, has become a great help to me in my practice... tis a shame that the Lord did not see fit to give me sons to pass on the Art & Mystery of my profession to. But things upon the frontier are not as strict as they are back in polite society, and this allows Lucy to assist me to a certain degree. I dare-say, she could remove a musket ball from a wound as well as I! I have already taught her the first rule of a surgeon's mate and make her repeat it for me on command, "Mind your fingers!"



The girls explored the village over the course of the day and made new friends. I tended the table and discussed my instruments and methods with visitors as they pass'd by.

Captain Jack informed me that the girls and I were invited to the 'Williamsburg' style supper to be held in the schoolhouse that evening. I had been past the schoolhouse several times over the course of the day and watched its transformation into a grand dining hall, compliments of the fines ladies who had spent the day working at it.

We were met at the entrance by the doorman who took my name and escorted us to our places. The hall was warm and lit with a myriad of candle lanterns, a spectacular transformation. Two long tables covered in fine, white tablecloths dominated the floor.

Our meal consisted of a large green salad, a bowl of peanut soup, Turkey, Yams and Tomatoes (although I was hesitant to partake of the tomatoes as they are part of the deadly nightshade family), and a dessert of Apple Dumplings with a sweet, warm caramel sauce.

Sergeant McBee was also one of the honoured guests and we sat close to one another at the great table. We discussed our travels and such, and after our courses were served and cleared away, I pulled from my pocket a deck of cards for a little One & Thirty. I also invited another gentleman who dined beside us to join in our merriment.

Sgt. McBee on the left and our card playing companion who obviously needs a few more cards in order to reach the desired 'One & Thirty'. Rose and Molly look on.

Sophie, my youngest, entertained several of the wives in attendance by
singing and making the little 'Ensign Boggs' dance.

We ended up playing so many rounds of One & Thirty, that Rose and Molly even joined in with us. Rose enjoyed saying 'Have it' and getting cards, usually landing far above the designated 'One & Thirty' required to win the game.

SIEGE JOURNAL epilogue

Dr. Clift and I take poor John off the field.

I have returned home to convalesce after my unfortunate injury received at the hands of the French forces at Fort Niagara. It is fortunate that I have no end of little projects that can be done whilst in a seated position to keep myself entertained. There is also reading to be done, as well as the reorganization of my medical books. I shall share a secret with you dear reader, I am not a tidy housekeeper, it is true.

There is also the matter of the limberjack that Lucy was so kindly giv'n by one of the traders. While he was well put together, I fear he was not very well painted, so I have taken it upon myself to repaint our little friend in a style more befitting. It will involve a good deal of mater red and a bit of green, and perhaps a silver gorget? And a sash, one mustn't overlook the importance of a sharp looking red sash when repainting a wooden dancing toy.

In the meantime, I believe that I may travel up to Locust Grove this week's end to visit and browse at a most peculiar event.

The month of August looks to be a bit dull on my schedule, so if you dear reader, have any suggestions, I would love for you to make them known to me.

Conversely, September is positively brimming with activity. I shall not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I have written it all down in my SCHEDULE.

Thrice Stung at Loudoun

HAVE time but for a brief report from my time at the garrison weekend at Fort Loudoun. I was coaxed into the mater red uniform of the Independent Company by Lieutenant Anderson.

I wore the wool breeches and waistcoat, I have not been that hot in quite some time. I have gained a new respect for the boys in their regimentals.

On Saturday, the girls and I took our trenchers and waited in line for the community meal. As I waited, a wasp flew up the back of my untucked shirt and stung me on the right arm thrice before I could snatch it off!

Needless to say, my arm is still quite swollen and painful. It has been a long time since I was stung by a wasp. As a boy, a cousin and I were playing and disturbed a wasp nest. We could not get away quickly enough!

After supper, the girls and I went down to the water and swam, accompanied by some of the boys. The cool water relieved my arm a bit and served to wash away the sweat of the day.

At the end of the garrison, I gathered the uniform together and marked it all to be placed on the baggage wagon to Niagara in July. I also left my blankets and two trenchers to be taken up as well.

I am very pleased that I did not have to leave the blue box to be placed on the wagon northward. Instead, Ensign Boggs assured me that they will pack the instruments from the fort infirmary.

LOCUST GROVE

HE Inquiries I made to Locust Grove have produced no leads on where we might stay whilst there in the land upon ye Ohio. But I will not be deterred, warm weather and favorable locale make for excellent outdoor sleeping, along with my blankets and fresh straw. It will not be the first time I have slept in the out-of-doors.

Mel Hankla as General George Rogers Clark

Upon the 25 & 26, I have been invited, at the request of Ensign Bogges to take over the Infirmary at Fort Loudoun whilst the goode Dr. Anderson is away on the King's Business. I do not know the nature of the business, but I suspect it must be of the utmost import if it would draw him out of the safety of the fort into this savage frontier.