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The British and Provincial Conquest of Cuba: Limbs
SATURDAY, Sept. 25, 1762.--A pleasant morning, nothing extraordinary happened the last Night-but Sable night in gloomy Majesty sat upon the Camp, a Season, when men used to labour and fatague in ye day retire from Labour to recline their weary Limbs, and refresh themselves with rest. But in Camp how wide the difference, the Season true, invites to Rest but alas the heavy murmurs that humme among the Tents, and bursting groans from throbbing hearts Seized with panick, horror and Surprise because febrile flame kindles upon their vitals, or Tyrant pain, Tyger like preys upon their Bones or as a harpy Devours their entrails, forbids repose-nor Sooner did I deposit my weary Limbs in Bed and embrace the delectable pillow, but groan echoes to groan, and Sigh rises upon Sigh not unlike the waves and billows of a Raging Sea. Thus with our Melancholly Camp a fatal desease enters tent after Tent, and with irresistable force strikes hands with solider after Soldier, and with hostile violence Seizes the brave, the bold, the hearty and the Strong, no force of arms, no Strength of Limbs, no Solemn vows, no piteous moans, no heartrending Groans, no vertue in means, no Skill of Physicians can free from the Tyrant hand, but death cruel death that stands Just behind, draws the Curtain, Shews himself to the unhappy prisoner, and with peircing Sound Cried thou art, and at once throws his fatal dart, and fast binds them in Iron Chains-or Some disease in Milder way Salutes them, and more gently treats them, but by Sure and certain Steps flatters them along by Slow degrees till they are introduced into the hands of unrelenting death. Others roll from Side to Side, and turn into every posture to find ease from pain that wrack their Tortured limbs-Others that are yet untouch'd with diseases Called from their rest to help the distressed; hearken and likly you'l hear them as they pass along, return oaths for groans and Curses for Sighs horrible to hear! Thus death in Camp reigns and has Tryumphed over Scores already, and diseases has hundreds fast bound as prisoners-and how few alas how few are prisoners of Hope. But are Soldiers the only persons attacked or exposed? Verilly no, where are the Capts. The Lt. and Ensign that lately appeared and adorned our Camp, now Succepded by others in the Same Command; are they not become victims to Death, and Now held prisoners in the Grave on this Barbarous land, their deposited with many of their bold Soldiers till the last trumpit shall wake the Sleeping dead. But heark mithink I hear a different voice, uttering heavy Groans where is it? Surely its in the next Tent, O the officers of the field, Certainly no defference paid to Rank-The 2d in Command in the Regiment is Seized with Cold Chills that pass through every part, throws all nature into violent agitation and Shakes the whole frame; a febrile flame Succeeds, this alternate, till his vigorous and active limbs becomes feeble, and his ruddy Countenance, put on a pale and Languide hue-yet he lives. Thus night after night are we accosted with the cries and Groan of the Sick and dying.
Lamentations, Mourning and Woe in all most every Tent; and what hearts so hard? Who so past all Sensation, thats invested with any Degree of humanity, as not to feel a Sympathetic Smart.
SABBATH DAY, Sept. 26, 1762.-This the day by divine appointment Sanctified and set apart to divine Use and Service; that we in the Dicalogue are Commanded to Remember and keep holy.
No occurances uncommon in Camp this Day-no publick Services. MONDAY, Sept. 27, 1762.-The affairs in Camp are as usual-a Rumor prevails, that the Troops are to Embark in a few days.