lelliott19
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BLACK TONGUE FEVER
An 1800's historical medical term for a deadly disease characterized by darkened tongue, high fever, weakness, muscle ache, headache, and sometimes a red rash. At the time, its cause was not known. Modern researchers believe it was typhus or malaria. Darkening of the tongue results from accumulation of dead skin cells on the tongue so it was probably a symptom of the disease, not the cause.
In a letter to William Bone back in Madison County, GA, Pvt. Leroy H. Streetman (D/16thGA) reports the death of Pvt. John Gideon Black (age 18; also of D/16thGA) as follows:
"...John G Black a letter and he Received it the 9th but was not in his rite mind and I was awaiting on him and he Did not break it open and he died the tenth Day of Sept and he had the measels and the black toungue fever and after he died....."
Streetman continues:
"before he died his request was to be sent home and we would have sent him if Col. [Howell] Cobb would of let some body come with him. He want let nobody go with the folks that Dies here he sayes if he was to send everybody home that wanted to go it would take too many out of the company...."
It makes sense that Streetman would send the news to William Bone. John Gideon Black's widowed mother Mary (age 58) and older sister Letty Ann Black (age 21) lived next door to Wm Bone.
"Tell Miss black and letty that me and Benet done all we could for him while he was sick. I think John is Gone to a better world. he Died very easy..."
Source: Leroy H. Streetman to "Dear Friend" [William Bone], Richmond, VA, September 10, 1861. William Bone papers, ms 359, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
An 1800's historical medical term for a deadly disease characterized by darkened tongue, high fever, weakness, muscle ache, headache, and sometimes a red rash. At the time, its cause was not known. Modern researchers believe it was typhus or malaria. Darkening of the tongue results from accumulation of dead skin cells on the tongue so it was probably a symptom of the disease, not the cause.
In a letter to William Bone back in Madison County, GA, Pvt. Leroy H. Streetman (D/16thGA) reports the death of Pvt. John Gideon Black (age 18; also of D/16thGA) as follows:
"...John G Black a letter and he Received it the 9th but was not in his rite mind and I was awaiting on him and he Did not break it open and he died the tenth Day of Sept and he had the measels and the black toungue fever and after he died....."
Streetman continues:
"before he died his request was to be sent home and we would have sent him if Col. [Howell] Cobb would of let some body come with him. He want let nobody go with the folks that Dies here he sayes if he was to send everybody home that wanted to go it would take too many out of the company...."
It makes sense that Streetman would send the news to William Bone. John Gideon Black's widowed mother Mary (age 58) and older sister Letty Ann Black (age 21) lived next door to Wm Bone.
"Tell Miss black and letty that me and Benet done all we could for him while he was sick. I think John is Gone to a better world. he Died very easy..."
Source: Leroy H. Streetman to "Dear Friend" [William Bone], Richmond, VA, September 10, 1861. William Bone papers, ms 359, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
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