English

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Camp Columbia Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll describes in great detail conversations he has had with General Ward and Reed about the expenses for his quarters. At the recommendation of General Ward he put in an application to increase his allowance through Reed. Additionally, Carroll discusses letters from Ida and the children.

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Camp Columbia Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll discusses prior letters sent from Jennie. He wishes Jennie luck in finding tenants for renting rooms. Carroll indicates he has not had word from an application he sent to General Ward [regarding his finances] and is concerned that the matter "will rest there still." Carroll describes a horse ride that he took that week on Major Kean's horse, he also describes playing cribbage during the evenings. Carroll discusses sending money for the children's Christmas presents and the lack of additional money. He also requests that Jennie send him a copy of the Annual Report of Columbia Hospital so he can read General Sternby's address. He writes of a discussion with Reed on the matter of insurance. Finally he asks that [his son] Jamie write to him.

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Camp Columbia Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll thanks Jennie for sending two boxes which included candy and an evening dress uniform. He confides in her that he fears that the extra compensation will never come. Carroll laments that a recent newspaper article in a Havana paper refers to his work [on Yellow Fever] but the credit is given to Reed and Agramonte while his own name is not mentioned. Carroll states that recently a newspaper reporter was in camp and the reporter met with Reed and with General Ward and this is why Carroll is not mentioned in the article. Carroll wants to send the article to General Sternberg but reconsiders it later in the letter saying that he will send it to Jennie instead. He says he does not want to bother the General "about such trifles." Carroll hopes that he will be departing Cuba in a month, "never to return again."

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Las Animas Hospital in Havana, Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll discusses the current experiments that involved having three volunteers being bitten by mosquitoes. He also discusses four photographs that he had enclosed with the letter along with a check. He informs her that he must leave by November 1, as there will be no further extensions. In conclusion he discusses the local mosquitoes and the local weather conditions.

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Camp Columbia Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll laments that he has received a bill for life insurance but does currently have the funds to pay the premium and is uncertain whether he will be able to pay the premium in the future so he will not renew while this is in question. Carroll informs Jennie that Reed is returning to the States in the next few days and that he will be sending extra clothes and blankets back in a trunk so that he will have less to bring back when he returns. He asks Jennie to send him an article containing a report of his that he believes is called "A Fifth Case of Fungus Foot" so he may give it to Dr. Agramonte. Dr. Agramonte invited Carroll to attend a dinner where their paper will be read, Carroll believes this dinner will be reported in the papers.

In this letter from James Carroll to his wife Jennie Carroll sent from Las Animas Hospital in Havana, Cuba, where he is stationed for the United States Yellow Fever Commission, Carroll informs Jennie that he has asked for an extension to conduct further studies. He tells her that he hopes to prove that healthy men should not die from yellow fever, and that he hopes to prove the effectiveness of inoculation. In conclusion he asks her not to mention what was included in this letter to anyone.

In this typescript piece, Richard J. Behles, Historical Collections librarian for the Health Sciences and Human Services Library at the time this was written, describes the James Carroll, Yellow Fever Commission Letters collection housed in the Historical Collections. These letters have been digitized and transcribed and a collection has been created for them in the UMB Digital Archive.

The Dr. James Carroll, Yellow Fever Commission Letters contain original letters to Janetta “Jennie” Carroll, Dr. Carroll’s wife as well as letters from Dr. Walter Reed, head of the United States Army Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba in 1900 and 1901. The research and experimentation completed by the Commission found that Yellow Fever was carried by Mosquitos and transmitted through their bites. The letters in this collection shed light on the research and experimentation process as well as the living conditions in Cuba during the Commission’s work. The letters provide a personal insight into the men who discovered the cause of Yellow Fever.