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

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[page 6]

Eston not troubled by cough but still nervous and unable to sleep.
The discharge not so large but more thick, towards night stoping [sic]
almost entirely. Still I believe he is better. I yesterday wrote
to Laura again, giving the letter to Dr Cochran who expected to be
able to forward it to a Post Office by some round about way.
Walked to the village with Mr. Foster to get the tailor to cut a
pr pants for me. Called at Mr Thos Fosters and saw his wife and
daughter.
Saturday 15
Pretty much as the night before. Theres little cough, very little
pain, but an exhaustion, an extreme of weakness from which his
system appears unable to rally. The discharge has quite stopped,
and I have put on a plaster over the orifice. A Squad of Yankees
came by about noon, both horse and foot as skirmishers. Heavy
cannonade for many hours in the direction of Warrinton. I counted
the reports, 8, then 27, 10, 3, 7. We get no reliable news only
rumors vague and uncertain.
Sunday 16th
Eston had a quiet night, sleeping most of it. Still he is not so
well as I hoped, owing most probably to the cessation of the discharge
of the abcess. The pus of course is being absorbed into the system
and causes great disturbance. I have been much troubled for a week
past with irritability of the bladder, sufficient to keep me feeling
very uncomfortable and awake for much of last night. Cold cloudy
dull morning, breakfast 9 ½ Oc. Mr Foster is complaining too, has
caught cold to which he is quite subject.
May 17th
Another uncomfortable night. He thinks he scarcely slept but is
mistaken in this yet his sleep was not sound and refreshing.
Some little rain in the night, day broke on a leaden. Lowering
sky, and thick atmosphere. My own complaint seems rather better.
I walked up to the Shoe Maker Elgin to order a pr shoes or boots.
He had one pr shoes ready made and persuaded me to purchase them
altho very tight, they were so nice and good that I was tempted
and gave 8$ for them but after repeated trials find them too small
and must return them. Cloudy with several showers through the day.
Tuesday 18th
Eston passed a tolerably easy night, and with less than his usual
Quantity of opium. He sat up yesterday for a half hour or more.
There's little disease about him now, only the extreme exhaustion
and emaciation of nearly three months sickness. Another cloudy
morning moving into a shinny [sic] day. Heavy firing again for
several hours in the direction of Warrington. 3 Yankees here about
breakfast and Stringfellow and companion at tea. Returned my new
shoes being entirely and painfully too small.
1862 A/c t
Novr 18th cash on hand $524
Dr
Pr Shoes Adam 5 - do mending 5.25
4 flannel shirts and 4 pr socks 11.
1 bottle whiskey

Wednesday 19
There was a rise in Estons pulse afternoon yesterday and he drank
much water through the night tho slept tolerably easily. His bowels
have not been effectually moved for two days probably the cause,
if not there must be another accumulation of pus in the chest which
may God avert! Miss Cornelia Hampton gave me a pair of nice yarn

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