Dr. Arthur Moray Randolph Account of His Trip to Attend to His Dying Son.

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Picket there being a considerable force at the Village.
To make Osage Orange hedge Manure the land, dig or spade deeply,
when one year old, in the Spring season, cut off the top leaving
only 6 to 10 inches stump. 2nd year repeat at 2 feet height. After
this weave the lateral branches and trim from time to time. Wea-
ther warm and smoky.
Octr 31st
Another uncomfortable night difficult breathing and great nervous
excitement. He said frequently, "Father you cant think how wretched
I feel" poor boy, my heart bleeds for you but I am powerless for
good. Read a note from Mrs. M. G. Randolph friendly and kind in
its tone, a box of nick nacks accompanied it, but is not yet come
to hand. There was no frost today.
Miss Margaret Peyton came over in her carriage to bring Estons
box of goodies, sent by Mrs. R. a bottle of port wine among them
may be of much service, Virginians are a kind hearted race.
Dr. Peyton put E. on Muriate of Ammonia and some preparation of iron,
which with Quinine and Morphine at night comprises all the
medicines to be given.
Novr 1st
Mr Foster went to Warrington. I sent by him to P.O. 3 letters,
to Laura Sister Mary and Mrs. Mary G. Randolph care Sec of War
Last night was not a good one to Eston, the morphine seems to have
lost its power to make him sleep. Today hes been coughing and
expectorating freely, complains of feeling exhausted by it.
Ferrar and Stringfellow, two scouts were here last night, also two
N. C. cavalry man to dinner, the two first had their horses
stolen out of the meadow back of the stable in broad day light.
Clear and warm.
Dr Peyton wished another consultation with Dr Cochran, so I sent
Adam to Middlebury for him to come tomorrow at 10 00 A. M.
Sunday Novr 2d
Dr Cochran met Dr Peyton here at 11 Oc. Much to my astonishment
they both advised my setting out with Eston for home, that his
strength will service and his chance for recovery be improved by
travel, so Ive spoken to Mr and Mrs Foster about making arrange-
ments for setting out on Tuesday if possible. The Doctors made
another unsuccessful effort to reach the pus in his side, this time
cutting deep. The wound bled freely nothing more. Their examination
was careful and prolonged, the result as stated above. There was
a battle N W from here, cannon were distinctly heard for several
hours. The weather is splendid, Indian summer it is called.
Monday 3rd Weather changed in the night, there is a stiff NW wind
cold and raw with heavy dark banks of cloud in the same quarter.
Estons night was tolerably tranquil. This morning changed his
clothes and lay in the other bed, he coughed considerably and is
so weak. O, so weak. Mr. Foster went out early has just come in
and reports success in hiring a spring wagon for Wednesday next
day after tomorrow. Heavenly Father grant my boy strength to travel
O, hear my prayers. Have this evening engaged a carpenter to make
a litter. Dr peyton here in afternoon and Adam with him for a
lithage [?] plaster and other medicenes. Heavy firing heard about
noon in the same direction as yesterday.
Tuesday 4th
The abcess in Estons side broke through the last made puncture early
in the night, considerable amount of thin whity yellow matter
passed off and still continues running. I gave him 100 drops laudanum

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