Memoranda During the War

Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892. Memoranda During the War
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
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May 31.

-- James H. Williams, age 21, 3d Va. Cavalry. -- About as mark'd a case of a strong man brought low by a complication of diseases, (laryngytis, fever, debility and diarrhoea,) as I have ever seen -- has superb physique, remains swarthy yet, and flush'd and red with fever -- is altogether

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flighty -- flesh of his great breast and arms tremulous, and pulse pounding away with treble quickness -- lies a good deal of the time in a partial sleep, but with low muttering and groans -- a sleep in which there is no rest. Powerful as he is, and so young, he will not be able to stand many more days of the strain and sapping heat of yesterday and to-day. His throat is in a bad way, tongue and lips parch'd. When I ask him how he feels, he is able just to articulate, "I feel pretty bad yet, old man," and looks at me with his great bright eyes. Father, John Williams, Millensport, Ohio.