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To Surgeon Gen'l
Dec 6, 1871

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Milwaukee Dec 6, 1871

Sir

According to the recollection of the
venerable Col. Samuel Stone of Chicago the year 1819
must have been one of great fires in
the North West similar to those of the present year.
"The smoke was so dense at Detroit that artificial light
was required all day on the 9th of November;
& on that day in Green Bay Capt Blake was
compelled to cart anchor 14 miles or so
from Fort Howard and await clear weather
before he could get into the river. The
darkness continued two or three days, and
extended to Mackina & Western N. York [New York]
The autumn had been very dry; cattle
had to be driven often to a great distance for water;
and the rivers were low. This
darkness could only result from burning
prairies and forests - there were then
no towns or cities in this region to be burned!

I take the liberty of requesting that
you will examine the original returns
from Fort Howard, Fort Snelling & other stations
at the Nort West for that year and see whether
there is any thing in them to confirm
this recollection of my friend Col. Stone,
or to throw further light upon the subject.