Clift's Notes

Posted By Doctor Clift on September 17, 2009

I returned to Fort Frederick last week to check on the patients from the past engagement, who were recovering much faster than I could have anticipated.  I attribute it to the fresh medicinal supplies and the deft hand of the fine Midwife who had been checking on them.  A few minor bleedings for various ailments, and I was more than ready to return to Cumberland, where activity seemed to be in place for us to be on the march again soon.

However, a unit of men who had gone out on a ranging mission returned with a request from a Mr. Rohrer, who owned Hagers Fancy- a tract of land not far from the Fort, with a request for our Surgeon or Doctor to come to his house to see a daughter who seemed to be dreadfully ill with an unknown malady.  She had not been roused from her bed for almost a weeks time.  Captain Hager, who previously owned the house, is the lead of a ranging unit in these localities, and sent a letter to me personally with the request.  Most honored, I received dispensation from our Captain to take 2 of his men with me, and my satchel of equipment and essential medicines, and headed to the house with Captain Hager.

The young lady was in a dreadful state.  She was pale and gaunt, and had a severe ague.  Immediately I bled several ounces, while I tried to assess her other states. Hot water was put upon the fire, and Pennyroyal tea was mixed for her.  In her weakened state, her mother provided me with a small pap boat from which to provide her the elixir.  I imagine it was being used for the infant she had, but it proved most useful to me at this moment.  The girl, Elizabeth she was called, had a primary complaint of great gripes in her stomach, and had lost considerable weight in a short time.  I deduced that she had a great worm, and immediately called for another tea to be made with Wormwood, which I’ve had much success with in removing worms from a person.  Some rest was then to be had for her, and the men and I decided to stay for a night or two at the behest of  Mrs. Rohrer.  She was a most gracious hostess, and fed us a great meal of roasted chicken, cheese, fresh bread, and vegetables.  It was a most filling meal and a great different from the sparse rations we receive at the Fort.

Saturday I believe it was, I was treating the young Elizabeth with another dose of bleeding and wormwood, which seemed to be working, when a great commotion was made outside of the house.  Once finished with my patient, I headed out to see what the commotion was.  Several savages had arrived at the house, with a horse laden with many furs, hides, and other goods for trade.  As I stood in the doorway watching, Mrs. Rohrer explained to me how they tended to come to the house to trade with the locals pretty regularly.  As they arrived, I saw some of the other local farmers and land owners come through the woods on another path, carrying some of their own goods to trade with the savages.

I watched intently, suprised at this action I hadn’t yet seen here on the frontier.  I had only heard of the savages raiding and wreaking havoc on behalf of the French, but here were peaceful Savages!  My soldier escort from the fort was as confused as I- they stood off to one side, bayonets fixed, waiting cautiously should the savages try to do harm to the landowners.  Mr. Rohrer went to the head of the natives, and showed them a strand of colored beads.  The savages murmered in their language, clearly enamored with the little pieces of glass or shell or what have you, and one of them pulled a sizeable beaver’s hide from the pack on their horse’s back.  He pointed to it, then back to the beads in Rohrer’s hand, to which Rohrer shook his head and made a finger gesture of 2.  He clearly wanted 2 hides for the precious strand of color.

The Indians looked at each other, conversing low again in their own language.  It was interesting in sound, as I could not make out any word similar to our own.  Even with the French language, there seem to be some words in common, but this language was completely foreign to my ears.  Finally the man who was clearly the leader of this trading party, then took another hide- this one a bit smaller but still a beautiful beaver fur, from the pack, providing both to Mr. Rohrer.  He, in return, handed the beads to the man, then they shook hands in a strange manner- grasping each others forearms and nodding approvingly.  This must have been a signal for the others, for then they began to pull packs out in earnest, and the other local dwellers brought their goods up as well to trade.

I watched from the house for a few moments, then a hide of deer, or perhaps elk, caught my attention.  It was just a good size for a new apron to be made, and so I searched my pockets and satchel for anything that might prove trade worthy for the savages.  In the bottom of my satchel I happened upon one small piece of eight, probably a pay from a house call made in months past when I was starting the shop in Frederick.  I saw some of the local men trading pieces of silver for the goods they required, mostly hides as winter is approaching, and I thought to do the same.  So I joined in the Fray around the natives, and began to eye the hide.

One native saw me approach and watched me almost as intently as I watched them.  Clad in a simple pair of leggings, cloth, and a white shirt, he seemed to stand out from his brothers.  A single great locke of black hair flowed down his back, the rest of his head being completely shaved, he stood firmly as he watched the goings on.  His eyes grew wide when I showed him the small silver piece, and then I pointed at the piece of hide I wanted.  He picked it up, looked at it for a moment, and then looked at me, almost sternly for a moment.  He then held the hide out for me, and I took it, then handing him the small piece of silver from my hand.  He nodded and grunted, smiling in approval, and then turned to another man standing near me who was eyeing up some other piece of animal they had on hand.  So now I have a nice piece of deer hide with which to make myself a new apron, and perhaps a cover for one of my knives.

After the natives left, some of the farmers and locals stayed behind, they had heard a doctor was about and did ask me for more services.  So that evening I did several bleedings, and basic diagnosis of minor illnesses and melancholies of the local people. I didn’t have to use any of my medicines for them- most of them know the area and can provide themselves with them, but they did offer me items in trade for my services.  I did get a very nice pair of gloves, and some more fresh herbs for my stores for my trouble.  Again Mrs. Rohrer did feed us well, and the next morning we began our return to Fort Frederick, the worm having been extracted from her daughter early that morning.

The Captain, upon our return, has stated we shall be departing again at once for points north before returning to Cumberland.  Our battalion has been called to rendezvous with others in the Pennsylvania territories for some reason yet to be explained to me.  But as we are called, so shall we go.

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