“But he had an enemy to encounter far more terrible than Black Hawk and his adherents—­an enemy that bid defiance to military prowess and baffled all the skill of the tactician.

“That loathsome epidemic, the direful scourge of the Eastern hemisphere, the cholera, invaded his camp.  Here was a new foe that had never yet been conquered.  Victim after victim fell under its ravages.  The general might have retired to some healthy clime, where he would have been freed from this pestilence, but not while his officers and men were falling around him; humanity prompted him to remain and succor a distressed army.  During our stay at Rock Island the cholera commenced its work of death; and seeing the general almost every day, we had frequent opportunities of witnessing his untiring perseverance in and constant personal attention to all those duties appertaining to his official station, the calls of humanity, and the best interests of the country.

“On the arrival of the companies from Chicago (among whom the cholera had been severe) they were stationed on an island in Rock River, several miles from the fort, and all communication prohibited by special order.  Some of his aids, on their way to Rock Island, having violated this order (without knowing it was given), were immediately ordered back to Rock River, while the general was left alone to perform all their respective duties.  When a soldier was attacked with cholera he was the first to render assistance by the application of friction to the extremities in order to attract the fluids from the large internal vessels to the surface of the body.  At the bake-house we found him one day giving instructions how to make the most wholesome bread, and on the next day we beheld one of his bakers consigned to the tomb.  And if we follow him on, we next find him instructing those employed in the culinary art, so cautious is he about everything that his men eat and drink.  And in order to insure temperance among the soldiers, he issued an order requiring every man found drunk to dig a grave.

“In his orders he was bound to be severe, and in their enforcement he was equally rigid.  His whole soul seemed to be devoted to the benefit of his army.

“On one occasion he observed that his own honor, the duty he owed his country and his fellow-men, required his personal attention at his post, and also the severity of his orders.  And if, in attending to his duties, he should be so unfortunate as to lose his life, the army could get along as well without him, but he could not get along without an army.  Thus, with Roman firmness and a disinterested devotion of life to his country, has he remained at his post of duty.  Such conduct deserves the highest praise, and we feel confident that it will be awarded by a grateful and virtuous community.”